Benefits Specialist I - State Office (This position will be based out of the Greenville Area Office)

Join South Carolina state government where you can have a meaningful career, incomparable benefits, and a positive work-life balance!

In this position you will be responsible for the following:• You will complete monthly caseload coordination and management activities as scheduled, including posting case notes in the CMS database.

• You will distribute appropriate benefits information sheets to beneficiaries, counselors, parents, support staff, etc. within VR, as well as, partner agencies, school staff and others as appropriate. Keep electronic files in compliance.

• You will provide benefits management services to beneficiaries per month.

• You will provide case management coordination services to include interviews and assessments, evaluate the Benefits Planning Query (BPQY) and/or other federal/state information (letters and documents.)

• You will provide planning and monitoring and provide advisory services with SSA or other state/federal human service agencies when needed. These services must be completed with the beneficiaries and maintain appropriate case files in CMS in accordance with SSA guidelines.

• You will manage assigned caseload of beneficiaries who need ongoing services. Develop a monthly schedule of appointments to meet SSDI/SSI beneficiaries for general information and referrals.

• You will provide advanced benefits management services to include (but not limited to) Benefits Summaries and Analysis (BS&A), Work Incentive Plans (WIP), work incentive tracking, wage reporting, etc. for area served.

• You will develop and implement information sessions and provide outreach services to transition age students, teachers, counselors and transition specialists in the school districts in the Benefits Specialist area of coverage.

• You will plan, schedule, coordinate and conduct information seminars as requested by appropriate staff geared for transition students and their parents. Attend family information nights as scheduled by the school districts with VR staff.

• You will contact appropriate school staff to discuss Benefits Planning Services.

• You will perform other related duties as required or assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or related field and at least three years of experience providing services to people with disabilities.

This position will be based out of the Greenville S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation office. Travel from assigned home office to counties within the upstate region may be required.

If invited to interview, please obtain your Official 10 year driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles to bring with you. Official transcripts will be required to verify college degree.

• Prefer at least three years of experience managing federal and/or state benefits for people with disabilities.
• One year with SCVRD preferred.
• Fluency in American Sign Language verified by Sign Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) level of Advanced, Advanced Plus, Superior, or Superior Plus

The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation Department offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• Paid parental leave
• Flexible work schedules
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs