Intake Specialist, Seasonal (September to May)

Avec Community Action; Machias (ME); On-site; USD 36,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Avec Community Action seeks an Intake Specialist to help individuals and families access resources, coordinate services, and complete applications. The role involves data entry, assessments, referrals, and follow-up within a client-centered team.

The position requires strong verbal and written communication, solid organizational skills, and the ability to work with diverse populations. A high school diploma or equivalent is required, with an Associate's degree preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associate's degree preferred.
• Two years of experience in a social service-based program preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent listening and customer service skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and data entry software.
• Able to read, analyze, and follow written procedures.
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to research and disseminate information.

Responsibilities

• Obtain household information from customers and record into software systems, assess and prioritize needs, identify resources and build rapport.
• Identify services and coordinate with providers; assist customers with completing applications and follow up.
• Perform data entry and maintain knowledge of software updates.
• Follow program rules and regulations as required by guidelines.
• Maintain records, answer inquiries, schedule appointments, and direct customers to appropriate personnel.
• Provide assistance to team members as needed.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Listening skills

Customer service

Microsoft Office

Data entry

Read procedures

Present information

Research information

Problem solving

Empathy

Teamwork

Diversity sensitivity

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree preferred

Tools

Office Suite

Data entry systems

Job description

Position Summary

Intake Specialist is responsible for assisting individuals and families in connecting to resources. This work includes intake, assessments, referring, service coordination and follow-up. The Intake Specialist will enter data into various computer software systems, maintain customer files to include documents required for program eligibility, schedule appointments, conduct interviews with customers and work with agency team to provide comprehensive approach to meeting customer needs.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Obtains relevant household information from customers; gathers information and records into software systems, assesses and prioritizes customer needs; identifies customer resources; builds rapport with customers.
• Identifies a network of services and resources tailored to the needs and interests of the customer; acts as a liaison between customers and referral program/agency; arranges services with other providers; assists customer(s) with completing applications for services, provides follow-up to complete application process.
• Performs data entry, maintains current knowledge of software changes and updates.
• Maintains general knowledge of program rules and regulations follows assigned guidelines.
• Maintains records as required, assists with phone calls and visitors, answers inquiries and directs customers to appropriate personnel, schedules appointments and returns phone messages promptly.
• Provides assistance to team members as needed.

Non-essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Performs additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications Needed For Position

Experience and Skill Requirements:

The following experience and skill requirements are considered essential:

Experience

• At least two years of experience working in a social service-based program, preferred

Skills

• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent listening skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals
• Calculate rates, ratios, percentages, and proportions with a basic understanding of statistics, algebra, and geometry
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office applications and other computer software as applicable to the position.
• Read, analyze, comprehend, and apply written procedures
• Communicate and present information
• Research and disseminate information
• Identify problems and recommend solutions
• Influence the actions of others, where empathy and perceptiveness are required to determine the best course of action
• Promote feelings of trust and security by establishing strong, caring relationships
• Display tact, discretion, and sound judgment
• Work with a diverse population

Education and Knowledge Requirements:

The following education and knowledge requirements are considered essential:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate's degree preferred

Other Requirements:

Additional requirements that are considered essential:

• Must pass required background checks
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and provide proof of insurance

General Expectations

• Maintains and promotes the highest level of understanding of the Agency's Mission, Vision, and Goals.
• Maintains confidentiality; protects the Agency by keeping information concerning employees, those we serve, and the Agency itself confidential.
• Follows all safety policies and procedures with a "safety first" approach to all job duties.
• Exhibits a positive, professional, and collaborative attitude with others inside and outside the Agency.
• Exhibits teamwork through effective internal communication and working relationships.
• Is punctual for scheduled work and use time appropriately.
• Performs required amount of work in a timely fashion with minimal errors.
• Participates in trainings, conferences, and meetings as necessary.
• Possesses and exhibits the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity.
• Represents the Agency in the community as appropriate to the role.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the Incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; sit and talk or hear; and occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in an office setting and in residential homes. May encounter risks associated with unsanitary and/or unsafe living conditions, for example, poor indoor air quality or unruly pets. Frequent local and long-distance travel may be required, sometimes in inclement weather. There may be limited exposure to blood borne pathogens and other bodily fluids.

All requirements and skills are considered to be essential, unless otherwise indicated.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Avec Community Action is an equal opportunity employer.