St Vincent de Paul, Louisville (SVDP) is one of the longest serving social charities in Louisville. Through our homeless shelters, supportive housing programs, professional case management, clinical services, after-school programming, Open Hand Kitchen, Food Pantry, and retail thrift stores, we house, feed, and support those in need with compassion and dignity. 

Position Summary:

The VA Benefits Navigator is a peer, with lived experience, who assists individuals experiencing homelessness to access mainstream benefits that they are eligible for; like job training, health insurance, Social Security Disability, food stamps, etc.  Hiring preference will be given to Veterans.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist Clients directly or on their behalf to facilitate access to benefits and services such as primary medical care, social services, housing, entitlements, and benefits; assist clients with any necessary paperwork, compiling eligibility documentation required by other service providers, and other tasks required to connect clients to needed services
• Engage in outreach efforts with clients – including phone calls, emails, outreach letters, and home visits – when clients miss an appointment. Build rapport with current clients at the overnight shelter to build a caseload
• Transport and support Clients with specific needs, mental health limitations, or other barriers to appointments or offices as needed to complete their applications for benefits and services
• Educate and monitor Clients on issues related to applying for benefits and services
• Connect with community resources to arrange job fairs, employment services, and job placement projects.
• Work collaboratively with case managers to receive referrals for advocacy services, and follow up with case managers about progress on goals
• Maintain an up-to-date record of services as dictated by documentation standards
• Serve as a programmatic representative with outside agencies; conduct necessary outreach efforts
• Coordinate the provision of HIV and mental health treatment services with case managers and/or counselors of Clients
• Attend all-staff meetings, supervision and mandatory trainings
• Participate actively in team efforts, as assigned
• Special Projects as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

Specific Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Authentic interpersonal capacity for empathic understanding and nonjudgmental attitude when engaging with Clients with mental health problems
• Computer knowledge
• Strong knowledge of local resources and application processes for benefits
• Experience applying for mainstream benefits successfully
• Experience working with diverse communities, including LGBT, substance users and communities of color

Education, Qualifications, Certifications, Trainings, Licenses:

• High School graduate or equivalent
• SOAR certification (SVDP will provided if the successful candidate is not certified)
• Peer Support Certification preferred
• A combination of education, training and experience that results in demonstrated proficiency to perform the work may be substituted
• Commitment to the Mission, Vision and Values of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville
• Successfully pass any required pre-employment background and drug screening
• Valid Driver’s license and clean driving background

Reporting to this position: None