Job Description for Enhanced Work Incentives Counselor (EWIC)
Position: Enhanced Work Incentives Counselor (BOND)
Supervised by: Senior Enhanced Work Incentives Counselor
Status: Full and Part-time opportunities, non-exempt
Date posted: July 25, 2011
Closing date: Until Positions are filled
(Projected start date August 15, 2011)
Location: Montgomery, AL
How to Apply:
E-mail resume and cover letter describing relevant work experience to: laurati@bellsouth.net
Purpose
The incumbent will provide Enhanced Work Incentives Counseling (EWIC) services to designated participants in the Benefits Offset National Demonstration (BOND), funded by SSA. EWIC counselors will provide work incentives counseling and employment supports, including referral to existing local employment services and supports and active follow-up on these referrals. EWIC services will focus on ensuring that beneficiaries are able to take full advantage of their Ticket to Work and any other resources available in the community. In addition, EWIC staff will provide employment support counseling for as long as the designated participants need and want it. The goal is to provide enhanced services to BOND participants with a heavy focus on job seeking and job placement support.
Responsibilities
1. Contact, by letter or by telephone all designated EWIC participants within one week of being referred for BOND eligibility.
2. Provide work incentives counseling services to support employment for BOND participants.
3. Enter complete and accurate data into the BOND data system.
4. Understand the BOND benefit offset, SSA disability benefits, other federal and state benefits and associated work incentives, and tax implications of working under BOND.
5. Prepare a Benefits Summary and Analysis (BS&A) Report for BOND participants.
6. Identify the beneficiary's strengths from which to develop vocational goals and improve their competitiveness in local labor markets.
7. Conduct transfer of skills (TSA) analysis.
8. Identify the beneficiary’s barriers to employment.
9. Use decision support tools in support of clinical judgment and beneficiary decision making.
10. Develop Employment Support Plans for beneficiaries.
11. Provide employment counseling and other supports to help beneficiaries prepare for, find and keep work prior to referring them to other community supports for services.
12. Collaborate with and refer BOND participants to employment partners to address employment needs, such as job development, job coaching, and other specialized employment supports.
13. Assist beneficiaries with developing Employment Support Plans (ESP) and assist them to reach ESP employment goals.
Knowledge and Skills Required
1. Track record of being able to engage a diverse clientele in services.
2. Experience in working with SSDI populations, including people with wide range of mental and physical impairments.
3. Expertise in conducting intake assessment for people with disabilities.
4. Experience using person-centered and self-directed approaches.
5. Expertise in case coordinating and developing strong referral linkages to employment support agencies.
6. Strong counseling and communication skills.
7. Understanding of the principles of consumer empowerment and control.
8. Knowledge of public and private health insurance plans.
9. Knowledge of local labor markets, employment services, and employment-related service delivery systems for people with disabilities.
10. Ability to do basic arithmetic computations to calculate benefits and work incentives.
Education Required
Bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, vocational guidance, counseling, or related fields plus two years experience providing employment services to individuals with disabilities is required. A Master’s Degree or equivalent experience is desirable.
Travel
Incumbent must be willing and able to perform all travel that is necessary to accomplish the principal responsibilities associated with the position.
NOTE: Applicants will be required initially to participate and complete a rigorous five day training (Indianapolis August 29 – September 2, 2011) and complete certification process through the Social Security Administration Technical Assistance Contractor. Continued employment beyond initial training and certification process is contingent upon successful completion and certification by SSA as an Enhanced Work Incentives Counselor (EWIC). Trained, certified EWIC's may be required by SSA cooperative agreement to participate in ongoing training activities after initial certification and throughout employment. Additionally, the applicant selected will be subject to initial and periodic SSA security clearance and background checks.
Upcoming positions will be available in South Alabama and other parts of the state.
