Public Assistance Specialist Atlantis Community Inc. has been advocating for people with disabilities for 50 years. Atlantis serves a seven-county catchment area (Adams, Arapahoe, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, and Jefferson Counties). As a Center for Independent Living, we support the rights of people with disabilities to direct their own lives by providing advocacy, life skills training, transition services (youth, from nursing homes, and diversions from institutions), information and referral, and peer support. The mission of Atlantis is to advocate for all people with disabilities to be a meaningful part of an integrated community of their choice. The Public Assistance Specialist is a grant-funded position within ACI's Independent Living (IL) Department, supported through a Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) grant, that provides dedicated, consumer-directed support to individuals working toward a benefits goal- applying for Social Security disability benefits (SSI/SSDI), navigating Medicaid, SNAP, or other public benefits, or accessing tax credits and rebates that support their independence. This role combines a direct caseload with department-wide benefits education, resources, and outreach, working collaboratively with IL Specialists to ensure consumers with a benefits goal receive focused, timely support without losing their existing relationship with their IL Specialist for everything else. To be successful in this role, you will bring strong organizational and documentation skills, working knowledge of Social Security disability programs, public benefit systems, and application processes. You'll be comfortable managing a focused caseload while also supporting the wider IL team through workshops, resource-sharing, and coordinated application support when a time-sensitive opportunity opens. Because this position is grant-funded, you also need to work within CDOOs reporting and documentation requirements, including same-day time tracking and accurate service logging. Success in this position requires working within ACI's independent living philosophy: the consumer directs their own benefits goal, and you support that process rather than manage it. This position reports to the Director of Independent Living Programs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:- Accept direct intake for consumers whose only identified need at referral is benefits (SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, or other public benefits)
- Support the IL team by conducting general intakes as needed
- Carry a caseload of 75+ consumers, phased in gradually
- Support consumers with SSI and SSDI application completion and submission, redeterminations, and required documentation
- Support consumers with Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other public benefit applications as needs arise
- Support consumers with tax filing assistance, property tax/rent/heat rebates, Earned Income Tax Credit, and state tax credits
- Help consumers identify and resolve benefit application barriers, including documentation gaps, eligibility questions, and missed deadlines
- Provide benefits counseling on how a program works, eligibility, what to expect, and what an appeal involves; formal legal representation for appeals is referred to legal aid
- Follow the redirect protocol: Log and hand-off any need outside benefits to the Consumer & the assigned IL Specialist
- Support Information & Referral (I&R) staff on benefits-related questions from people who are not yet ACI consumers
- Document all services in CIL Suite, including timely and accurate service notes, and log all CDOO-related time
- Track new SSI/SSDI application submissions separately from redeterminations and appeals, consistent with CDOO reporting requirements
- Meet regularly with supervisor to report on caseload, grant progress toward outcome targets, and case updates
Benefits:- Education & Community Engagement (20%)Share benefits resources, application guidance, and program updates with IL Specialists supporting their own consumers & benefits needs
- Maintain and regularly update ACIs internal benefits resource materials so IL staff and consumers have current information on programs and processes
- Monitor changes to SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other public benefit program rules, and communicate updates to consumers and staff in a timely way
- Plan and facilitate benefits-focused workshops or presentations (such as Benefits Lab, Social Security, or Medicaid sessions) for consumers and community members, either leading the education directly or coordinating with outside presenters
- Support department-wide coordination when a time-sensitive benefits opportunity opens, working with the relevant IL Specialists on their consumers applications
- Essential QualificationsExperience with SSI/SSDI applications, benefits counseling, or public-benefits-focused case management with IL philosophy
- Working knowledge of Social Security disability programs (SSI/SSDI) and the appeals process, or willingness to be trained
- Familiarity with Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and other public benefit programs, or willingness to learn
- Familiarity with tax credit and rebate programs (EITC, property tax/rent/heat rebates), or willingness to learn
- Strong understanding of independent living philosophy and consumer-directed, consumer-controlled services
- Ability to engage respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities, including in high-stress or complex situations
- Strong communication skills, including active listening, clear documentation, and professional boundaries
- Strong organizational and time-management skills, including activity logging required for grant compliance
- Ability to work within federal and state grant reporting requirements and deadlines
- Basic computer skills and ability to document services accurately and timely in CIL Suite
- Ability to work independently while maintaining communication and coordination with the IL team
Preferred Qualifications:- Experience with SSI/SSDI applications and Social Security Administration's process
- Experience with Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF application systems
- Ability to communicate using Spanish and/or American Sign Language
Education and Experience:- Four years of related work experience or a Bachelor's Degree in a related field. A combination of education and related work/lived experience will be considered.
- Experience navigating SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, or other public benefits systems- personal or professional
- Familiarity with independent living
- Personal experience with the disability community
- Physical Demands
- Must be able to travel occasionally
- Must be able to sit for 30-60 minutes at a time at a desk
- Must be able to practice self-care techniques at work to avoid occupational burnout
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The qualifications, working environment, and physical demands described above are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Important NotesThis position is temporary, full-time, and fully benefited. Hours are 32/week.
Office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:30am-5:00pm. Schedules will be set between those times. The office closes from 12:00pm – 12:30pm for lunch daily.
Background and reference checks are conductedE-Verify employerACI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
Atlantis Community Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are strategically invested in creating an equitable, diverse, just, and inclusive work environment. All interested individuals, especially those with disabilities and multi-marginalized people with disabilities, people of color, LGBTQ+, women, and those with multi-marginalized identities are particularly urged to apply. For more information on our diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, visit our website.
Benefits:- ICHRA Medical Plans with ACI paying 100% of base premium for the employee with buy-up options available, and a Health Reimbursement of up to $500.00/Month to assist with dependent medical coverage
- Employer-paid Life and Short-Term/Long Term Disability Insurance
- Paid Time OffMileage Reimbursement
- Paid Holidays4-day workweek
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