Bar Association of San Francisco
Social Services Advocate
Bar Association of San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
Description
PURPOSE
The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) is a holistic program that addresses the legal as well as psychosocial needs of individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of being homeless. The Social Security / Social Services Advocate provides holistic advocacy for HAP clients, including specific representation to individuals with disabilities who are seeking federal disability benefits, as well as short-term case management services, in conjunction with legal services provided by volunteer and staff attorneys, in an effort to stabilize a current housing situation or, if that is not possible, to provide assistance to locate new housing. The Advocate develops and maintains expertise in Social Security matters, conducts outreach to clients in the community and/or does intake at on-site and off-site locations, interfaces regularly with the Social Security Administration, and may represent the Homeless Advocacy Project at community meetings or events. The Advocate also may participate in the training or mentoring of others, such as those who are assisting clients through HAP or learning about social services or social security benefits.
Based on HAP's effort to provide comprehensive legal services, the Advocate may refer clients on a variety of other Social Services related matters such as acquiring identification, immigration issues, dismissing old warrants, and accessing supporting social services such as mental health treatment and/or primary care providers.
The Social Security / Social Services Advocate works jointly under HAP's Supervising SSI Attorney and JDC's Director of Social Services, providing services to both programs. The Advocate will spend half of their time in each program.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS NOTE: To the extent possible, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The primary job responsibilities of the Social Security / Social Services Advocate consist of:
Developing and maintaining expertise in social security related issues and participating in the case evaluation process. • Representing clients at the initial as well as appeals levels when seeking SSI/SSDI benefits. • Developing ongoing relationships with clients based on trust and communication. • Conducting intake interviews and gathering records on claimants' medical and social histories in order to best advocate for and represent the claimants' disability experience. • Helping clients submit their initial applications and appeals. • Maintaining contact with state agency analysts who review the cases. • Writing legal briefs on claimants' behalf. • Representing clients in matters including requests for deadline extensions, dismissals of alleged overpayments, and collection of agency underpayments. • As directed, providing training or engaging in knowledge sharing with SSI advocates, student interns, and volunteers. • Maintaining a relationship with the local Social Security Administration office and meeting regularly with an SSA representative about HAP clients. • Providing supportive counseling to clients who are often in the midst of crisis. • Collaborating with HAP staff attorneys to provide task-specific case management and support to clients who are in active eviction proceedings, most of whom suffer from significant mental health issues. • Providing housing resources: keeping current on all available affordable and subsidized housing waitlists and immediate openings. • Assisting clients directly with completing applications when needed. • Advocating on clients' behalf with San Francisco Housing Authority and other housing providers. • Staying current on the shelter referral process so as to provide clients with accurate information about how to access shelter and other homeless resources. • Providing referrals to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment. • Providing referrals to community-based organizations, such as In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Adult Protective Services (APS). • Providing crisis intervention services when needed in consultation with the Director of Social Services. • Conducting client home visits, including in cases involving issues around hoarding and cluttering. • Facilitating the obtaining of identification, payee services, and emergency funds, particularly rental assistance. • Assisting with applications for and providing advocacy around CalFresh, General Assistance, Medi-Cal, and other benefits. • Providing mental health support and/or crisis intervention services when needed and in consultation with the Director of Social Services. • Attending community-based meetings that pertain to issues of benefits, homelessness, mental health, and disability advocacy and/or eviction prevention. • The Advocate performs his/her/their own clerical work; maintains files according to agency standards, such as complying with the requirements of our funders, and legal and ethical requirements; and assists in the preparation of reports to funders when requested. • Must be a flexible team player who is willing to step in and help other team members. • Must be able to interact professionally and collaborate with both internal and external providers.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Responsibilities will be performed out of JDC's Homeless Advocacy Project located at 125 Hyde Street in San Francisco, at the Social Security Office, or at other off-site locations for client visits or meetings as needed. A hybrid schedule is allowed when appropriate. The general schedule is Tuesday through Friday 8:30am to 5:45pm.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's Degree, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and expertise sufficient to perform the essential duties of the position. • Expertise in the laws, rules, and regulations governing Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. • Experience in working with people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and have mental health and/or substance abuse issues. • Demonstrated commitment to working with vulnerable populations.
DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Ability to be professional, flexible, jump in to help in any capacity as needed for the project and HAP overall, demonstrate a good sense of humor, and maintain confidentiality. • Be self-directed, able to work independently, to triage, and to be resourceful with high ethical standards. • Communicate in person, on the telephone, and in writing in a clear, calm, and courteous manner, including with opposing counsel, staff at other agencies and government offices, and individuals who have physical or mental disabilities or who may be agitated or in crisis. • Skilled at multi-tasking in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and independently prioritizing with high attention to detail, effectively managing multiple cases, clients, or projects simultaneously. • Simultaneously manage multiple components of a case or project from beginning to end, including setting and meeting deadlines. • Possess some knowledge of all the resources available to vulnerable populations in San Francisco. • Enter all data in database in compliance with the requirements of our funders and policies. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Strong writing and editing skills. • Comfort with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook). • Bilingual (Spanish) skills are desirable.
Why Work for Us
We offer a collaborative work environment, a progressive work culture, and a wonderfully diverse staff. Additionally, we have a standard 35-hour workweek, flexible scheduling (manager's discretion), and we are a mission and values-based organization.
We also offer competitive pay and a generous benefits package that includes: a choice of medical insurance plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, pretax commuter, health, and dependent care accounts, employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, the opportunity to contribute to a retirement account, and more!
To Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer
JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws.
PURPOSE
The Homeless Advocacy Project (HAP) is a holistic program that addresses the legal as well as psychosocial needs of individuals who are homeless or at imminent risk of being homeless. The Social Security / Social Services Advocate provides holistic advocacy for HAP clients, including specific representation to individuals with disabilities who are seeking federal disability benefits, as well as short-term case management services, in conjunction with legal services provided by volunteer and staff attorneys, in an effort to stabilize a current housing situation or, if that is not possible, to provide assistance to locate new housing. The Advocate develops and maintains expertise in Social Security matters, conducts outreach to clients in the community and/or does intake at on-site and off-site locations, interfaces regularly with the Social Security Administration, and may represent the Homeless Advocacy Project at community meetings or events. The Advocate also may participate in the training or mentoring of others, such as those who are assisting clients through HAP or learning about social services or social security benefits.
Based on HAP's effort to provide comprehensive legal services, the Advocate may refer clients on a variety of other Social Services related matters such as acquiring identification, immigration issues, dismissing old warrants, and accessing supporting social services such as mental health treatment and/or primary care providers.
The Social Security / Social Services Advocate works jointly under HAP's Supervising SSI Attorney and JDC's Director of Social Services, providing services to both programs. The Advocate will spend half of their time in each program.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS NOTE: To the extent possible, reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The primary job responsibilities of the Social Security / Social Services Advocate consist of:
Developing and maintaining expertise in social security related issues and participating in the case evaluation process. • Representing clients at the initial as well as appeals levels when seeking SSI/SSDI benefits. • Developing ongoing relationships with clients based on trust and communication. • Conducting intake interviews and gathering records on claimants' medical and social histories in order to best advocate for and represent the claimants' disability experience. • Helping clients submit their initial applications and appeals. • Maintaining contact with state agency analysts who review the cases. • Writing legal briefs on claimants' behalf. • Representing clients in matters including requests for deadline extensions, dismissals of alleged overpayments, and collection of agency underpayments. • As directed, providing training or engaging in knowledge sharing with SSI advocates, student interns, and volunteers. • Maintaining a relationship with the local Social Security Administration office and meeting regularly with an SSA representative about HAP clients. • Providing supportive counseling to clients who are often in the midst of crisis. • Collaborating with HAP staff attorneys to provide task-specific case management and support to clients who are in active eviction proceedings, most of whom suffer from significant mental health issues. • Providing housing resources: keeping current on all available affordable and subsidized housing waitlists and immediate openings. • Assisting clients directly with completing applications when needed. • Advocating on clients' behalf with San Francisco Housing Authority and other housing providers. • Staying current on the shelter referral process so as to provide clients with accurate information about how to access shelter and other homeless resources. • Providing referrals to mental health and/or substance abuse treatment. • Providing referrals to community-based organizations, such as In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) and Adult Protective Services (APS). • Providing crisis intervention services when needed in consultation with the Director of Social Services. • Conducting client home visits, including in cases involving issues around hoarding and cluttering. • Facilitating the obtaining of identification, payee services, and emergency funds, particularly rental assistance. • Assisting with applications for and providing advocacy around CalFresh, General Assistance, Medi-Cal, and other benefits. • Providing mental health support and/or crisis intervention services when needed and in consultation with the Director of Social Services. • Attending community-based meetings that pertain to issues of benefits, homelessness, mental health, and disability advocacy and/or eviction prevention. • The Advocate performs his/her/their own clerical work; maintains files according to agency standards, such as complying with the requirements of our funders, and legal and ethical requirements; and assists in the preparation of reports to funders when requested. • Must be a flexible team player who is willing to step in and help other team members. • Must be able to interact professionally and collaborate with both internal and external providers.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Responsibilities will be performed out of JDC's Homeless Advocacy Project located at 125 Hyde Street in San Francisco, at the Social Security Office, or at other off-site locations for client visits or meetings as needed. A hybrid schedule is allowed when appropriate. The general schedule is Tuesday through Friday 8:30am to 5:45pm.
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor's Degree, or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and expertise sufficient to perform the essential duties of the position. • Expertise in the laws, rules, and regulations governing Supplemental Security Income and Social Security Disability Insurance. • Experience in working with people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and have mental health and/or substance abuse issues. • Demonstrated commitment to working with vulnerable populations.
DESIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES
• Ability to be professional, flexible, jump in to help in any capacity as needed for the project and HAP overall, demonstrate a good sense of humor, and maintain confidentiality. • Be self-directed, able to work independently, to triage, and to be resourceful with high ethical standards. • Communicate in person, on the telephone, and in writing in a clear, calm, and courteous manner, including with opposing counsel, staff at other agencies and government offices, and individuals who have physical or mental disabilities or who may be agitated or in crisis. • Skilled at multi-tasking in a high-volume, fast-paced environment and independently prioritizing with high attention to detail, effectively managing multiple cases, clients, or projects simultaneously. • Simultaneously manage multiple components of a case or project from beginning to end, including setting and meeting deadlines. • Possess some knowledge of all the resources available to vulnerable populations in San Francisco. • Enter all data in database in compliance with the requirements of our funders and policies. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Strong writing and editing skills. • Comfort with MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook). • Bilingual (Spanish) skills are desirable.
Why Work for Us
We offer a collaborative work environment, a progressive work culture, and a wonderfully diverse staff. Additionally, we have a standard 35-hour workweek, flexible scheduling (manager's discretion), and we are a mission and values-based organization.
We also offer competitive pay and a generous benefits package that includes: a choice of medical insurance plans, dental insurance, vision insurance, pretax commuter, health, and dependent care accounts, employer paid short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, the opportunity to contribute to a retirement account, and more!
To Apply
Please submit your resume and cover letter.
Equal Opportunity Employer
JDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We conduct all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other classification protected by applicable Local, State or Federal employment discrimination laws.