Community Resource Navigator

Worcester Community Action Council Inc Worcester, MA $18.00 to $20.00 per hour

About Us:

Founded in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) is one of 1,000 community action agencies across the U.S. and 23 in Massachusetts created to address disparities throughout the nation.

Our values of advancing equitable access, elevating all voices and partnering with people are embedded in the role we play as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for Central and South-Central Massachusetts. WCAC embodies service to the community through our Mission: Helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships, and advocacy.

Our vision is to break the cycle of poverty one neighbor at a time. Through safety-net services and asset building solutions, WCAC creates economic mobility opportunities for tens of thousands of people annually through programs such as energy assistance, early education and care, financial empowerment, positive youth development, and career pathways.

WCAC is committed to being a responsible and inclusive partner through strong collaboration and a shared client perspective. We are committed to advocating for policies that create equitable access to education, health, social, and economic systems. We are committed to a workplace culture with a shared passion for our mission that promotes teamwork, respect, and the opportunity to make a difference.

WCAC offers a competitive salary and excellent benefit package including health, dental, vision, life, 403(b) retirement plan with Agency contribution, flexible spending account, paid holidays, vacation, personal and sick time.

Job Description:

Participate in a holistic, client-centered approach to meeting individuals and families where they are with warm, supported resource and referral services. Assist individuals and families with navigation through public benefit eligibility and connection to needed community resources, resulting in improved access to basic needs and progress toward economic mobility. This position will work closely with the Resiliency Center team of Financial Empowerment Director, Cliff Effect and Financial Coaches, and will report to the Resiliency Center Director.

Qualifications:

High school diploma or equivalent required, Bachelor’s degree a plus.
Experience working with individuals and families in social/human services or social fields.
Knowledge of Central Massachusetts area community resources preferred.
Excellent communication, both verbal and written.
Ability to learn agency program eligibilities, as well as community-wide resource eligibilities.
Ability to work collaboratively with individuals, families, agency program staff, and community partners.
Outstanding interpersonal, communication and organizational skills; highly positive and empathic style; strong customer service orientation
Ability to work respectfully and effectively with a diverse group of program participants and in a multi-cultural environment.

Other Requirements:

Proficient in Microsoft Office and ability to learn and utilize program participants tracking software.
Consistent travel to other WCAC office locations and community partner locations.
Bi-lingual language ability preferred.
Valid driver’s license; ability to drive an Agency van preferred
Must complete CORI/SORI background check

Duties and Responsibilities:

Greet customers to WCAC’s Resiliency Center.
Pull pre-assessments from the Agency website; make initial contact with individuals and families using the pre-assessment to begin the navigation process for connection to appropriate resources.
Respond and triage referrals made electronically from internal Agency programs and external community partners; begin the navigation process with the individual or family, making sure to prioritize high-need cases.
Make warm, supported referrals to internal Agency program contacts and external community partner contacts; maintain a helping relationship with Agency program and partner contacts.
Assist internal Agency programs with specialized resources and referrals as needed; operate as a resource specialist.
Assist individuals and families with SNAP applications and recertifications; utilize DTA Connect to assist with access to their SNAP benefit information in real-time.
Assist with RAFT housing applications and access to services.
Demonstrate timely follow-through and responsiveness to participant and program needs; assist participants to access resources to develop and maintain active support systems within Agency programs and the community.
Utilize Agency and Resiliency Center program participant tracking software, CSG Engage and monday.com, for tracking and as a case management tool; enter pre-assessment information or conduct a “live” pre-assessment with the individual or family; maintain up-to-date participant information; make and receive referrals within the platform.
Respond to electronic referrals received through the CommunityHELP platform for Agency-wide services; assist with connection to Agency services such as the application process for heating assistance; track the outcome of referrals
Maintain resource “library” of up-to-date community resources; attend relevant community resource training and sharing events.
Participate in Mobility Mentoring course and subsequent community of practice.
Assist with outreach/recruitment of internal Agency programs and external community partners to participate in non-profit, “community resource clinics”.
A positive, warm, team-oriented, collaborative approach to the position is essential.
Recognize inclusiveness and respect individual differences that support a culturally diverse environment and culturally competent approaches to participant access points and interface.
Other duties may be assigned by the Executive Director

Send cover letter and resume specifying position via email to hr@wcac.net.

Worcester Community Action Council, Inc. is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy or pregnancy related condition, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, membership in the uniformed services or any other classification which is protected under state or federal law.