The Company: Pathways Vermont is a dynamic nonprofit agency that believes in transforming the lives of individuals experiencing mental health and other life challenges and permanently ending homelessness. Pathways offers a great benefits package including dental and health insurance, generous vacation time and 12 paid holidays.
The Role: The SOAR Coordinator is a member of the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) team. Pathways’ SSVF team is a fast-pace rapid re-housing and homelessness prevention program offering housing first supports to Veteran households who are literally homeless or imminently facing homelessness. The SOAR Coordinator, in partnership with Pathways Vermont’s SSVF Service Team works to assist individuals who are experiencing homelessness to apply for the Social Security Administration (SSA) disability programs: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). This position is supervised by the SSVF team lead. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Location: Services are provided throughout Vermont. Office location to be determined.
The SOAR Coordinator will be required to complete the certification training within the guidelines of the course training guidelines. The course can be taken online.
Responsibilities:
- Serve as appointed representative for the purpose of applying for SSI/SSDI. Representation includes “standing in” for the applicant, responding to questions, receiving copies of all mail sent to the applicant, and communicating back and forth with SSA and DDS**
- Complete all required SSA forms for SSI and SSDI, submit online whenever possible
- Collect medical records from providers who have treated the applicant
- Write a comprehensive SOAR Medical Summary Report that includes psychosocial, treatment, and functional information that is co-signed, if at all possible, by a physician or psychologist who has seen the individual.
- Conduct ongoing outreach and engagement with the individual to stay connected throughout the process
- Track applications and outcomes, including number of applications completed, approvals/denials, and time to decision
- Report outcomes on at least an annual basis
- Actively collaborate with Local SOAR Leads
- Participate in refresher courses and quality review of applications
- SOAR caseworkers are encouraged to send redacted versions of their first few Medical Summary Reports to the SOAR TA Center for quality review before submission to DDS
- Adhere to all SSVF at the University of Vermont Policies and Procedures and the SSVF Program Guide.
- Other duties as assigned.
Physical Requirements:
- Occasional exposure to outside environmental conditions for community-based meetings.
- Often meeting with persons in the community and/or visiting different businesses
- Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction at times when collecting paperwork, assisting with applications, etc.
- Extensive reading responsibilities
- Ability to ascend and descend stairs occasionally required (in instances when businesses and/or meeting places do not have an elevator)
- Regular operation of a computer and other office machinery including frequent typing.
- Grasping. Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm such as stapling, completing hand-written forms, etc.
- Frequent talking and listening in participation of exchanging ideas through spoken word and occasional receipt and giving of detailed information through oral communication at normal speaking levels.
- Occasionally lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, occasionally exerting up to 20 pounds of force and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently (opening doors at meeting places/businesses, etc.)
- The worker is required to have visual acuity to operate motor vehicles.
Other Requirements:
- A valid Driver’s License
- Proof of insurance
- Reliable and registered transportation
Qualifications:
- Patience, creativity, flexibility, compassion, and sensitivity to persons in difficult circumstances.
- Excellent understanding of the issues facing persons with very-low income and other challenges.
- Familiarity with Veteran and community resources, particularly as related to meeting basic needs of food, clothing, health care, housing, employment and financial assistance.
- Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of the team.
- Strong communication, writing, and computer skills.
- Ability to structure time, develop work priorities independently, and meet program expectations with regard to documenting work.
- Excellent problem solving skills and ability to intuitively approach challenging situations.
- Valid driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle available for work purposes, and current automobile insurance.
- Bachelor’s or comparable work experience preferred.
- Veteran preferred.
- Lived experience of homelessness or other life challenges considered an asset.
Pathways Vermont is an equal opportunity employer, is committed to the principle of diversity, and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. If you are interested in this position please email a cover letter and resume to [email protected]
