Representative Payee

CAREER OPPORTUNITY

Agate Housing and Services is an innovative and collaborative nonprofit organization whose mission is to end homelessness and relieve hunger through action and advocacy. We progress toward this goal by providing emergency services, shelter, and housing programs for individuals and families. We meet people experiencing homelessness where they are and accompany them on their journey to safe, stable housing and a healthier life. We believe that housing is a basic human right.

Agate Housing and Services values are:

Integrity: Consistently doing the right thing even if it isn't the popular thing.

Equity: Fighting the status quo by actively examining and changing the way things are done to better represent the people who are most impacted by homelessness and hunger.

Humanity: Understanding how these issues impact us- the community, our staff, and the people we work with- as a collective and developing relationships by establishing trust when we put in work to understand the needs of people experiencing homelessness and hunger.

Creativity: Responding to the needs of the community with innovative and unique solutions.

Agate Housing and Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer/AAE, offering competitive pay and exceptional benefits including medical insurance, employer paid dental and life insurance, short term disability, 4 weeks of paid time off in the first year of employment, and a 401k retirement savings with an employer match.

POSITION DESCRIPTION & OVERVIEW

Title: Representative Payee

Reports To: Department Manager

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8 am to 4 pm

Compensation: $21.42-$23.50 per hour

$1000 bonus after 1 year of employment.

Job Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt, 40 Hours/Week

Union Representation: This position is represented by the AFSCME Local 999

A Representative Payee helps in client management by managing their funds received from Social Security .A payee helps participants in applying for services and managing client accounts once benefits have been received. This position plays a critical role on the team performing accounting, budgeting and reporting functions for representative payee clients.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND EXPECTATIONS

• Client Management- Meet with clients on a regular basis and help them manage their funds.
• Client intake- Assist applicants in completing application paperwork for rep payee services and submitting application to SSA
• Answer phone calls from clients and return phone calls in a timely manner
• Act as a representative payee for participants who are not able to manage their own money, including developing a budget with the participant and reviewing participant budgets monthly
• Track all participant income received(SSI, SSDI, Veteran's benefits, MFIP, etc)
• Pay participants rent, utility, phone and other major bills in a timely manner
• Provide for regular distribution of personal needs money after rent and bills are paid including ACH payments
• Ensure that all checks are properly documented and approved in accordance with established internal control procedures
• Provide benefit information to social service agencies or medical facilities that serve the participant
• Interact with Social Security to resolve any social security payments and reporting requirements
• Complete written reports to SSA accounting for the use of funds, updating SSA as needed
• Return any payments to which the beneficiary is not entitled to SSA
• Assist in acquiring a MN state ID or Medicare card if necessary
• Keep abreast of all nonprofit best practices and state and federal law regarding nonprofit operations.
• Complete Disability reports and Representative Payee reports
• Scan or email reports to clients as requested
• Go thru mail every day - including mail for off-site rep payee
• File all important paperwork for clients
• Other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS POSITION

Sedentary work - Sitting most of the time with occasional walking and using the stairs or elevators.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A. Accounting or Finance
• Bookkeeping and budget experience required
• Excellent customer service skills required
• Experience in client management preferred
• Ability to handle frustrated and demanding clients in a calm, appropriate and professional manner
• Ability to prioritize tasks, work independently and meet deadlines
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Proficient using Quickbooks, Excel, MSOffice
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive materials and information
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Demonstrates skill in understanding of cultural differences.
• Passionate about working in an organization that values and promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills.
• Must possess basic computer skills.

In addition, successful applicants will embrace the following perspective, skills and abilities:

• Commitment to Agate Housing and Services' values and mission of ending homelessness and relieving hunger through action and advocacy.
• Commitment to working towards an anti-racist culture both within Agate Housing and Services and the broader community.
• Hold the belief that every household can achieve housing stability.
• Commitment to harm reduction and housing first philosophies.
• Ability to work respectfully with clients, coworkers, and key members of the community and staff who are diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and religion.
• Ability to establish rapport quickly with people experiencing a crisis through use of trauma informed care, client centered care, and strengths-based approaches.
• Ability to meet expectations regarding paperwork and documentation through organizational skills, a strong attention to detail, and the ability to work efficiently and accurately, competency and comfort using technology and computers.

Experience that gives applicants the required skills, abilities, and perspectives listed above are commonly gained through one or more of the following:

• Personal experience with homelessness.
• Experience working, interning, or volunteering with people experiencing homelessness.
• An Associates, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in a relevant field such as Social Work (with accompanying licensure), Human Services, or Family Studies.

We encourage applicants with lived experience to apply. However, if you have received services from Agate Housing and Services within the last two years this will make you ineligible for employment.

SERVICE ANNIVERSARY BONUS PROGRAM

This role is eligible for a $1000 service anniversary bonus after one year of employment.

REFERRAL BONUS PROGRAM

Do you know someone who you think would be a good fit for a position at our organization? Please refer them Agate Housing and Services offers a $250 bonus to employees who refer qualified candidates for current openings. The referring candidate must clearly state the name of the employee who referred them in the section of the application that requests this information.

The Referral Bonus Form must be submitted to Human Resources no later than 30 days after the referred employees begin employment. Any Referral forms submitted after 30 days will not be processed.

To be eligible for rewards, candidates must be hired as permanent full or part-time employees (this excludes on-call, employees, temporary employees, interns or contract workers).

When applying for the position, candidates must clearly state the name of the current employee that referred them. The referral bonus will be paid out within one month of the candidate's six (6) month anniversary. There is no cap on the number of referrals bonuses an employee can receive

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION

Visit agatemn.isolvedhire.com and select the opening for which you wish to apply. Submit your information under "Apply Now" and you will be directed to the full application, where you can upload your resume and cover letter. If you have previously created an account to apply for a position at Agate Housing and Services, log in to your account before attempting to apply for another position.

Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Qualified applicants will be selected for interviews as applications are received. No phone calls please.

Agate Housing and Services is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and strives to promote an environment that is diverse and inclusive where all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. Employees actively participate in various committees that give voice to staff to create active participation and involvement in shaping the future of our agency.

Agate Housing and Services is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of color, indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.