Consumer Navigator

The Benefits Specialist is responsible for providing information, and assistance to people with disabilities seeking benefits support, to both educate consumers and reduce the time to acquire state and federal disability benefits. This position will meet one-on-one with consumers to identify individual needs and provide appropriate guidance and referrals. Provide in-depth counseling about benefits and how employment and other income affect those benefits.

Develop and present benefits education workshops and help increase access to state and federal disability programs for people with disabilities.

• Meet individually with consumers, in person or virtually, to identify benefit-related needs and determine whether services can be handled internally or require external referral.
• Provide information, guidance, and hands‑on support to people with disabilities seeking help with benefit applications, appeals, or general benefits questions.
• Offer benefits counseling to consumers exploring employment, explaining how earned income may impact their current benefits and helping them make informed decisions.
• Remain current on federal, state, and local benefit program changes—including SSI, SSDI, Medicaid, and related programs—through ongoing research and participation in trainings or webinars.
• Complete required documentation, case notes, and reporting to maintain compliance with both federal and local program regulations.
• Attend, engage in, and contribute to required internal meetings, committees, and program discussions on behalf of the Benefits Department or leadership.
• Obtain and maintain the Work Incentive Practitioner Certification (WIP-C) to ensure delivery of accurate and qualified benefits planning services.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community agencies, service providers, and referral sources to enhance consumer access to benefits and related supports.
• Provide support to the front desk as needed by answering calls, assisting with resource requests, and helping consumers connect to appropriate services.
• Participate and engage in any required program, committee or IC meetings with or in place of leadership.
• This position may also require the performance of other duties as assigned.

• Demonstrates The IC’s core values of Adaptability, Collaboration, Inclusion, Integrity and Person First.
• Commitment to co‑creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.
• Extraordinary customer service skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, persistent, and flexible.
• Strong organizational skills and detail oriented.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities as well as deadlines.
• Takes responsibility for high‑quality work.
• Capacity to work individually and as a member of a team in a team‑oriented, inclusive environment.
• Possess decision‑making and problem‑solving skills.
• The capacity to empower individuals to advocate for themselves to maximize independence.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
• Proficiency with computers, including MS Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams), Zoom and other common computer programs.

• Certified Work Incentives Practitioner (WIP-C) certification or capacity to obtain within one year of hire.
• Knowledge of state and federal disability programs.
• Experience working with people with disabilities preferred.
• Lived experience with a disability preferred.

• Local travel to partners, collaborators, and vendors for official IC related business and events may be required.
• Must have reliable transportation.

• Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and extended amount of time sitting or standing.
• Frequently lift, push, pull, up to 10 lbs.
• Internet access to work remotely if protocols are issued for remote work.

Reasonable accommodations may be provided to empower the qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of this position.