Community Resource Navigator

United Against Human Trafficking; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Food Bank seeks a Community Resource Navigator to provide public benefits assistance across 18-county service area, traveling to social service agencies, sites, and events in addition to remote support. You will help clients apply for SNAP, Medicaid, CHIP, and TANF, assess applications, collect and enter data, and maintain documentation with strong customer service.

Requirements include a High School Diploma or GED (or a related Bachelor's degree), knowledge of HHSC processes, and

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED plus 2 years of related case management.
• Bachelor's degree in Social Work or related field can substitute experience.
• CHW certification preferred; experience in social services preferred.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with state program applications via HHSC Self Service Portal or paper forms.
• Enter and safeguard client data; collect and verify documentation.
• Provide outreach and education at events and with partner agencies.
• Ensure HIPAA compliance and security of issued equipment.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and outreach events; travel up to 75%.

Skills

Bi-lingual English/Spanish

Customer service

Data entry

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Bachelor's degree (Social Work or related)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)

Job description

The Community Resource Navigator is responsible for providing state public benefits assistance and referrals to clients across the Houston Food Bank’s 18-county service area by traveling to social service agencies, Houston Food Bank sites, and community events, as well as over the phone and virtually. These benefits include SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program), and TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). The Community Resource Navigator will be responsible for assessing applications, handling client documentation, collecting information, entering data, and providing great customer service. This position will work closely with food bank community partners and other service agencies.

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly).

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Reliable and consistent attendance is a requirement. This position requires punctuality and dependable attendance to meet the needs of the business, including attending and taking part in meetings, events, and presentations.
2. Provides application assistance to clients for public state benefit programs via the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) online application (Self Service Portal) or paper application(s) at Field Sites.
3. Ensures HIPAA compliance by safeguarding clients’ information.
4. Accurately enters client data, and collects, verifies, and scans appropriate documents into the eligibility database according to Eligibility Policies and Procedures.
5. Assists clients in gathering all required documentation, if necessary; and provides guidance on additional documentation that may be requested of the clients.
6. Complies with departmental, HFB, Feeding Texas, State of Texas-HHSC reports and timelines.
7. Meets all contractual requirements and deliverables per the State Plan.
8. Informs and educates clients on program benefits via different approved communication methods (i.e. in person, over the phone, virtually, or through mail).
9. Submits timely and accurate daily client information on required reporting platforms.
10. Responsible for the security of all issued equipment and supplies; including, but not limited to laptops, cellular phones, portable scanners, etc.
11. Complies with and meets departmental goals and objectives.
12. Attends meetings, presentations, training, and activities as required and on time.
13. Attends a minimum of weekly outreach events that may include weekends and/or after hours. This includes community events, food distributions, presentations, meetings, tabling, etc.
14. Develops and posts/distributes, with permission, educational materials to community based organizations (CBOs), social services agencies, and partner agencies including HFB.
15. Increase awareness to the local community through education regarding program and policy requirements.
16. Connects clients to the referral partner program.
17. Assists with training new staff through observation and daily process review.
18. Drives and operates a SNAP vehicle for outreach events.
19. Support with disaster recovery duties, as needed (i.e., natural disaster).

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• High School Diploma from an accredited school or general education development (GED) certificate, plus 2 years of related case management services to clients.
• In lieu of experience, a Bachelors degree from an accredited four-year college or university in a closely related field (i.e. Social Work, Social Sciences) required.
• Community Health Worker (CHW) certification preferred
• Experience in a social service agency preferred
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish preferred

Certificates, Licences, and Registrations:

Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance.

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Ability to pass a background check administered by the Houston Food Bank and HHSC
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to learn new software systems
• Must be able to perform basic mathematical functions such as addition and multiplication
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Ability to understand and follow directions and complete complex state benefits applications
• Strong ethical character
• Ability to work with a diverse population, including the public
• Strong customer service skills and willingness to assist others
• Able to work cooperatively and coordinate well with coworkers and other departments
• Strong time-management skills, self-starter, self-motivated
• Strong problem-solving abilities
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to work on and adapt to multiple projects with attention to detail and accuracy while adhering to deadlines in a high-energy, fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision
• Ability to adapt to change

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB, Feeding Texas, and Health Human Service Commission (HHSC).

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

COMPETENCIES:

Action-Oriented / Customer Focus / Drives for Results / Priority Setting / Managerial Courage / Interpersonal Savvy / Creativity / Standing Alone / Time Management / Decision Quality / Self-development / Patience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the office and around the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must frequently lift 40 pounds. The employee may occasionally drive a SNAP vehicle. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse. The employee must frequently travel to other sites for business.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an enclosed office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be exposed to loud/elevated noises throughout the workday at different agencies.

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Travel is required for this position (up to 75% of the time and on a domestic basis within our 18-county service area).

This role supports hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities, as necessary, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.