Full-Time TANF Specialist
Job Description
Title: TANF Specialist
Position Status: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Reports To: Program Advisor Lead
Hiring Range: $48,333 – $62,833 per year
Benefits: Full benefits including three weeks of vacation, every other Friday off, paid health days, paid family and medical leave, retirement match, health, dental and vision insurance, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability benefits, comprehensive parenting benefits through Maven and a CWEE- issued laptop
Founded in 1982, the Center for Work Education and Employment (CWEE) is one of Denver’s leading workforce and anti-poverty organizations. CWEE provides personal and professional support to address each career seeker’s unique challenges and to facilitate a supportive path to long-term employment success. CWEE’s mission is to foster personal and professional transformation for low-income families through confidence building, customized skills training, and career advancement. CWEE believes that regardless of personal situations and other barriers to employment, when an appropriate level of education and support is provided, individuals can and will succeed.
The values that drive CWEE’s mission of helping individuals succeed also drive CWEE’s approach to organizational management and employee development. CWEE embraces a culture of organizational learning and continuous quality improvement while centering trauma-informed care and wellness at all levels of the organization.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The TANF Specialist serves on a cross-functional team committed to supporting low-income parents receiving Colorado Works/Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits. This position is responsible for educating and upholding TANF compliance for an assigned caseload of participants and responds to resource and basic needs requests utilizing a coaching approach that seeks to build executive functioning skills. The position maintains complete, accurate and timely case notes, individualized plans and related records and contributes to data collection and reporting. The TANF Specialist maintains relationships across the organization, working closely with a team of Program Advisors.
CWEE is seeking a detail-oriented individual with a commitment to supporting TANF participants through education on program requirements and responding to requests around basic needs and resources. The individual will be familiar with or willing to adopt case management and coaching strategies that embrace motivation, support and feedback rather than compliance driven approaches with program participants. The Specialist works closely with Program Advisors, who maintain consistent contact with all participants and invite in TANF Specialists as needed.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
TANF Compliance/Reporting/Data Entry (40%)
• Maintain current and accurate electronic records and physical files as case manager of record and in compliance with federal, state, county, agency and organizational requirements
• Support the creation of individualized plans as developed by Program Advisors and participants by interpreting for TANF compliance
• Responsible for monthly timesheet coding and data entry
• Consult with county partners on cases to share relevant information and documentation, and help advocate for participants
• Contribute to the achievement of monthly, quarterly and annual program goals
Case Management and Resource Facilitation (35%)
• Maintain an individual case load that is highly variable 120 participants
• Responsible for educating participants on TANF requirements by outlining expectations and supports and creating individualized plans (IPs)
• Conduct needs assessments with referred participants to identify and connect participants to resources
• In collaboration with Program Advisors, utilize a coaching approach that seeks to build executive functioning skills and develop resource navigation skills
• Initiate referrals both internal and external to CWEE with a focus on removing barriers to employment and to support participation in the CWEE program
• In collaboration with the participant and Program Advisor, facilitate supportive services requests
• In collaboration with the Engagement Manager, support identification and outreach to resource and program partners that meet the specific and evolving needs of participants
• Maintain program and partner relationships with a focus on resources and developing resource navigation skills
Communication (20%)
• Communicate proactively with a team of Program Advisors
• Participate in regularly scheduled staffing meetings across teams to discuss participant progress, responsible for TANF compliance
• Use effective and timely communication strategies and methods to communicate with various stakeholders
• Engage regularly with CWEE’s Engagement Manager to inform and support the execution of CWEE’s organizational approach to external partner engagement
• Actively participate in projects and working committees internal and external to CWEE
• Support training and onboarding efforts for new team members
Professional Growth and Wellness (5%)
• Regularly reflect on progress toward professional goals, both individually and with supervisor, identifying and following through on learning opportunities
• Identify opportunities to mitigate stress
JOB QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in human services, education, workforce development or related setting, preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work with individuals from diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds
• Familiarity with and/or openness to motivational coaching strategies
• Strong ability to learn, understand and apply complex and changing guidelines related to grant requirements as well as county, state, and federal policies
• Experience with daily, detailed data entry and outreach with ability to build and utilize complex tracking systems
• Strong computer skills including web-based databases, internet research and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to adopt a strengths-based and trauma-informed approach
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with participants and staff
• Ability to model professional dress and workplace conduct
• Excellent business writing and oral communication skills
• Deadline oriented with strong ability to follow through on tasks with little supervision
PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
• Commitment to CWEE’s mission of providing long-term, durable self-sufficiency through quality employment
• Active contributor to a positive work culture built on ongoing learning, continuous improvement and attention to wellness
• Flexible, a team player with a commitment to personal and professional accountability
• Solution oriented, able to make timely decisions despite ambiguity
• Proactive self-starter with excellent organizational skills and proven ability to balance multiple tasks and deadlines with attention to detail
• Results driven with strong critical thinking skills
• Strong self-awareness, confidence and integrity
WORK ENVIRONMENT
• Must be located in the State of Colorado by the agreed upon start date
• CWEE operates in a hybrid workplace model that balances the responsibilities of being a direct service organization with the benefits of a flexible work environment; all staff should expect time in the office
TO APPLY
Send cover letter and resume to ca*****@cw**.org. Please indicate ‘TANF Specialist’ in the subject line. Materials will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled as qualified applications are received.
NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.
CWEE is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups as well as those dedicated to diversity and multiculturalism are encouraged to apply. A criminal background check of 7 years is required.
How to Apply
Send cover letter and resume to careers@cwee.org. Please indicate ‘TANF Specialist’ in the subject line. Materials will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled as qualified applications are received.109 total views, 0 today