JOB REQUIREMENTS: POSITION SUMMARY: This position provides benefits
counseling, advocacy, information, advice, and assistance to St. Croix
County residents age 60 and older regarding eligibility for and problems
with public benefits and services, health care financing, insurance,
housing, and other financial and consumer concerns within the Elder
Benefit Specialist (EBS) Program benefits scope. The position helps
customers understand their rights and options, obtain or maintain
benefits, address adverse benefit decisions, and complete appeals when
appropriate. Services promote the autonomy, dignity, independence, and
financial security of older adults and are provided in accordance with
Wisconsin Stat. 46.81, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services EBS
Program Operations Manual, and applicable state and local policies.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: The following duties are normal for this position.
These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform
this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty
satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned. Handles EBS
case intakes and referrals and provides accurate, timely information,
advice, benefits check-ups, counseling, and assistance regarding public
benefits and services, health care financing, insurance, housing, and
other financial and consumer concerns within the EBS Program benefits
scope. Provides customer-directed advocacy and, when appropriate, direct
representation in benefit applications and administrative appeals.
Consults regularly with the EBS program attorney for technical
assistance, case-merit analysis, advocacy strategy, and referrals for
legal representation; follows formal representation requirements when
applicable. Assists customers with applying for, renewing, obtaining,
and maintaining benefits and services within the EBS Program benefits
scope, including gathering supporting documentation and completing and
submitting appeals. Provides services in the office, in customers\'
homes or community locations, by telephone, virtually, by email, and
through written correspondence, as appropriate. Determines EBS service
eligibility and applies the EBS Client Services Agreement, case
acceptance, prioritization, caseload management, service limitation,
case closure, and case termination policies. Distinguishes informational
contacts from cases and monitors open cases to move them toward timely
resolution. Maintains the EBS Program\'s strict confidentiality
standards; obtains informed consent and specific releases when required;
protects customer records; and promptly consults the program attorney
regarding potential conflicts of interest, suspected fraud, subpoenas,
legal requests, elder-abuse reporting considerations, and other issues
identified by program policy. Maintains complete, accurate, timely, and
confidential case files, case notes, Client Services Agreements,
supporting documents, and records in the required case-management and
reporting systems. Complies with state, federal, SHIP, Medicaid
Administrative Claiming, and County reporting requirements, including
100% time and task reporting, and generates records needed for annual
case review. Develops and maintains in-depth knowledge of benefit
programs, laws, regulations, policies, and advocacy strategies.
Completes EBS program orientation, initial training, job shadowing, and
all mandatory ongoing training required by the program attorney and the
Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Completes and maintains State
Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor certification as
required. As assigned, assists with the recruitment, training, and
development of EBS program volunteers and ensures volunteers understand
their roles and the applicable confidentiality and conflict-of-interest
requirements. Conducts accessible outreach and community education so
older adults throughout the County understandEBS advocacy services and
their rights, benefits, and entitlements, including Medicare, Medicaid,
Social Security, health insurance, and other topics within the EBS
Program benefits scope. Develops and distributes accurate informational
and outreach materials; provides presentations, workshops, and other
community education; submits newsletter or media content; and prepares
clear customer and agency correspondence. Research benefit laws,
policies, and procedures; identifies customer goals, relevant benefits,
evidence, deadlines, barriers, and advocacy options; explains the
advantages and disadvantages of available options; and prepares advocacy
correspondence and documentation consistent with the customer\'s
informed decisions. Supports program quality improvement by
participating in customer satisfaction and needs assessment activities,
annual program-attorney case review, program monitoring, and
implementation of identified improvements. Clearly identifies the
customer and, when applicable, the authority and scope of a guardian or
other surrogate decision maker; includes the customer in conversations
and decisions to the fullest extent possible; and obtains explicit
permission before working with another person on the customer\'s behalf.
Calculates and tracks application and appeal deadlines, identifies tasks
and timelines with the customer, communicates case status promptly, and
clearly distinguishes the responsibilities of the customer and the EBS.
Does not determine or certify benefit eligibility, perform long-term
care functional screens, perform SSI-E eligibility determinations,
provide guardianship or adult protective services, serve as the
agency\'s lead information and assistance worker, or provide substantive
case assistance outside the approved EBS Program benefits scope. Uses
County position, funds, title, and affiliation only in accordance with
EBS restrictions on partisan political activity and lobbying and
applicable County policy. Consults the program attorney before engaging
in advocacy involving elected or agency officials when required.
Maintains accountability to the County for job performance, including
adherence to agency policies, caseload and time management,
productivity, prioritization, case and file management, and required
reporting, while maintaining the independent, customer-directed advocacy
responsibilities of the EBS role. ** OTHER EXPERIENCE AND
QUALIFICATIONS: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
REQUIREMENTS ADRC Elder Benefit Specialist I Bachelor\'s degree in a
health or human services related field. Three (3) years\' experience
working with one or more of the client populations served by the ADRC.
Experience working with Medicare, Medicaid, advocacy, Social Security
and/or consumer rights desired. Must complete EBS program orientation
and initial training and become a certified SHIP counselor within 18
months of hire; must maintain required EBS training participation and
SHIP certification thereafter. Appointment is conditional upon
successful completion of a caregiver and criminal background check. ADRC
Elder Benefit Specialist II Must meet all education, experience,
training, and certification requirements of an ADRC Elder Benefit
Specialist I, including completion of EBS initial training and
attainment and maintenance of SHIP counselor certification. Minimum of
three (3) years\' experience as an ADRC Elder Benefit Specialist I with
St. Croix County or in a substantially similar EBS or benefits-advocacy
role with another organization. Experience must demonstrate mastery of
EBS program content, case and caseload management, advocacy, services,
resources, and reporting requirements, as well as the ability to enhance
program quality and service delivery. ** APPLICATION
INSTRUCTIONS: Apply Online: www.sccwi.gov
