Information and Referral Specialist

County of DuPage; Wheaton (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life insurance

Pension

Deferred compensation plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid leave

Job summary

County of DuPage seeks an Information & Referral Specialist to support the Department of Community Services’ call center. You will respond to requests for assistance, gather data, analyze needs, and determine appropriate referrals.

The role is grant funded and includes a comprehensive benefits package. This position requires an Associate’s Degree and two years’ experience in related roles, plus obtaining Inform USA AIRS certification.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree required.
• Two years of experience in call center, customer service, crisis intervention, information and referral or social services role.
• Must obtain an Inform USA (formerly AIRS) Certification, timeframe dependent on education level and prior experience.

Responsibilities

• Assists individuals in focusing on particular needs and identifying problems.
• Screens clients by phone or in person for program eligibility and completes calls.
• Performs assessments by gathering demographic, income, assets and needs information.
• Enters demographics and assessment information into multiple databases.
• Assists clients with completing applications and referrals.
• Provides advocacy and short-term crisis intervention and refers to resources.
• Communicates resource information via mail, text or email and follows up on needs.

Skills

Call center experience

Information & Referral

Crisis intervention

Data entry

Education

Associate’s Degree

Tools

Inform USA Certification

Job description

We are pleased to offer the opportunity to work as an Information & Referral Specialist within DuPage County's Department of Community Services. The position supports the department's call center in the area of social service by responding to requests for assistance in gathering, analyzing and evaluating data relating to needs, and determining appropriate referrals.

This position is grant funded.

This position is eligible for our complete benefit package including medical, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, pension, deferred compensation plan, tuition reimbursement, pre-paid legal and credit union. As a team member at DuPage County, you will also have access to time off with pay on Designated Holidays or holiday pay if required to work, Vacation time, Sick time and Paid Leave.

To learn more about the cost and coverage of the benefits plan, visit Employees Benefit Information.

For detailed information on paid time off, visit Employee Policy Manual, Section 5

DuPage County is an equal opportunity employer

Responsibilities Include:

• Assists individuals in focusing on particular needs, and with identifying problems
• Screens clients either by phone or in person for eligibility for programs or services offered and completes calls
• Completes assessments with call-in and walk-in clients by gathering demographic, income, assets and needs information
• Enters demographics and assessment information intothe multiple databases
• Assists clients with the completion of applications, applying for assistance, setting appointments or finding appropriate referrals
• Provides advocacy and short-term crisis interventionfor persons in extreme states of stress and refers them to appropriate resources
• Mails, texts or emails resource information when needed and follows up with individuals and/or referral agency to assure client needs are met
• Provides counseling on health insurance options
• Conducts inquiries and basic research to determine if unknown types of services are available
• Compiles data on the number of calls, follow-up calls, source of referrals and tabulates required reports for review by supervisor
• Prepares and presents public information material, educational workshops and represents the unit with service providers
• Attend meetings and programs related to relevant social service programs the County supports
• Performs community outreach in the form of public speaking and conducting educational workshops

Requirements include the following experience or equivalent combination of training and experience:

• Completion of an Associate’s Degree
• Two (2) years of experience in call center, customer service, crisis intervention, information and referral or social services role
• Must obtain an Inform USA (formerly AIRS) Certification, timeframe for obtaining certification is dependent on education level and prior Information & Referral experience

A pre-employment background check is required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

A general office environment with a moderate noise level, to include some travel to an off-site facility or building in all weather conditions.