About UCP

Upper Peninsula

Accepting applications until May 15, 2009

UCP Michigan has a part-time position available in the Upper Peninsula as a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) with its Work Incentives Planning and Assistance (WIPA) program. The CWIC counsels people with disabilities who receive Social Security Disability Benefits and/or Supplemental Security Income about the affect of earnings on their medical and other benefits and how to take advantage of federal work incentives. The CWIC also works with other CWICs and WIPA programs in the state on outreach and training of people with disabilities about incentives to return to work. This Project is being conducted pursuant to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.

Conduct all activities of a CWIC. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

1. Counseling individuals with disabilities and their representatives.
2. Work in assigned counties, travel to agencies and other sites as needed.
3. Write letters and benefits plans as a follow up to meeting with beneficiaries
4. Participate in training activities with team and other CWICs in the state.
5. Provide training or public speaking about work incentives and WIPA as requested.
6. Maintain computerized database of contacts with beneficiaries as required by the Social Security Administration (SSA).
7. Maintain complete files as required for all individuals contacted.
8. Develop written Benefits Plans for individuals counseled with accurate, complete information of the affect of work on the individuals’ benefits. This may include housing, food stamps, and other benefits.
9. Consult with other team members for support and sharing information as needed.
10. Attend SSA trainings and other required meetings.
11. Work in cooperation with SSA’s Area Work Incentives Coordinators (AWICs), Federal, State, local and private agencies and other nonprofit organizations that serve beneficiaries with disabilities seeking employment.
12. Provide information regarding the availability of protection and advocacy services for beneficiaries with disabilities and how to access such services
13. Screen and refer beneficiaries with disabilities to the appropriate Employment Networks (ENs) based on the beneficiary’s expressed needs and types of impairments.
14. Develop and implement outreach plan for assigned region.
15. Conduct evaluation activities to determine customer satisfaction.
16. Conduct other activities as requested by WIPA Supervisor.
17. Carry out other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

1. Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of individuals and to work well with colleagues.
2. Knowledge of public benefit programs for people with disabilities.
3. Knowledge of public agencies in the region assigned.
4. Ability to read and understand complex regulations and statutes about public benefits programs and to correctly convey information to clients.
5. Good writing skills.
6. Conscientious attention to detail.
7. Strong computer skills.
8. Experience working with people with disabilities preferred but not required.
9. Strong public speaking skills.
10. Independent self-starter able to handle multiple projects at once.
11. Willingness and ability to travel frequently to counsel clients in assigned counties, including but not limited to counties of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
12. Familiarity with disability, disability issues and disability benefits. Human services employment experience preferred
13. BA or equivalent public benefits experience or human service experience.
14. Be willing to undergo personal federal security clearance including credit check and fingerprinting

To see this job posting in PDF, click here: CWIC Position Description.

May 15, 2009

Carolyn Brown at 800.828.2714