Community Resources Liaison - Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity

  • Full-time

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact. 

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What We Offer:

  Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 

  Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 

  Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.

  Opportunities in Tech - Don’t wait for the future, shape it.

  Benefits - We care about your well being.

Agency Description

The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) provides leadership on issues of economic justice by advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to ensure that all Philadelphians share in the city’s prosperous future and by alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families and communities.  CEO is Philadelphia’s Community Action Agency (CAA); CAAs are private or public agencies created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and federally designated to receive Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding.

CEO’s Guiding Principles

  • We believe city government has the responsibility to provide opportunities to and promote the well-being of all citizens while representing their best interests.
  • We believe the people of Philadelphia deserve the opportunity to live happy, healthy, and full lives.
  • We believe people can offer meaningful insights into both their personal experiences and how the systems around them function.
  • We believe poverty is a systemic issue and city government can lead in dismantling the barriers that often prevent opportunities.

CEO’s Values

  • Dignity: How we treat the community we serve is reflective of how we treat each other.
  • Inclusivity: We all benefit when the talents and contributions of all members are available to our communities.
  • Persistence: When we get discouraged, we find ways to lift each other up and push forward.
  • Accountability: We are transparent and honest about our plans, our actions, and our results.
  • Honesty: We create a safe space without judgment to have healthy and honest dialogue about systems, people and misconceptions.

Job Description

The Community Resources Liaison provides internal and external administrative support within CEO as well as mobile ancillary services including, but not limited to, benefits screening, scheduling and enrollment confirmation, community outreach, information and referral to services to CEO’s Benefits Access Centers, community partners and the City of Philadelphia within vulnerable communities. The Community Resources Liaison will report to the Benefits Access Unit Manager with assigned duties from the Director of Operations.

Essential Functions

  • Provide superior services that demonstrate the responsiveness of the City of Philadelphia, Office of Community Empowerment & Opportunity to community needs, providing enhanced visibility, and positive impact. 
  • Coordinate with the CEO Operations Department to comply with maintenance standards and policies of mobile office and City issued vehicles. 
  • Document services provided and develop resource guide appropriate for clients’ demonstrated needs to maximize assessments of services provided and create an auditable paper trail to demonstrate information and referrals given to residents.
  • Provide direct assistance and services to residents and communities requesting assistance, including helping provider staff on confirming benefits and screening program participants for benefits and providing information and referrals.
  • Interview clients and assess provided information to establish the nature of assistance needed and to determine their eligibility for benefits and entitlement programs.
  • Answer consumer questions about entitlement programs, eligibility, and application procedures.
  • Interpret and explain information such as eligibility requirements, application details and payment methods.
  • Screen and assist clients in preparing applications and forms for services and when appropriate refer applicants to other agencies for assistance.
  • Document and evaluate personal and financial data to verify completeness and accuracy, and to determine eligibility status. 
  • Collect information from clients to identify and report on the result of the services rendered.
  • Work with supervisor to assess challenges facing residents and mobile office in providing benefits services and successful enrollment for clients, suggest solutions, and implement those changes as directed by supervisor.
  • Work with the Director of Operations to satisfy internal and external administrative support and in complying with preventative maintenance schedule and other duties and responsibilities as they relate to the mobile office and other City issued vehicles.
  • Keep records of services rendered in agency’s data collection system.
  • Use data collection software to assess client needs and information and referrals provided.
  • Detail challenges and successes in outreach projects with community and suggest solutions to resolve challenges.
  • Identify and report gaps in services and environmental changes and/or events that will impact residents and communities.
  • Provide technical assistance for community partners serving low-income clients by collecting and conveying information and resources to connect their clients to key benefits and services.
  • Represent the agency at community events.
  • Plan, direct, and coordinate community outreach programs.
  • Provide community residents with information regarding City of Philadelphia services that will impact their quality of life.
  • Establish, maintain, and formalize relationships with other agencies and organizations in community to meet community needs and to ensure that services complement one another.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

  • Completion of High School diploma or equivalent. 
  • At least two to three years of general community-based and or human services experience.
  • Bi-lingual preferred.
  • Must be able to lift at least 20 pounds.
  • A valid PA driver’s license is required.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledgeable of federal, state and municipal benefits.
  • Technological tools and internet to improve service delivery.
  • Community-based organizations throughout the City of Philadelphia.
  • Ability to strategically plan.
  • Outreach and recruitment.
  • Ability to operate large vehicle.
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Ability to explain or justify decisions, conclusions, findings, or recommendations.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, peers, department managers, and community partners.
  • Learn departmental structure and functions.
  • Learn City policies, practices and procedures related to operations and benefits unit.

Additional Information

Please submit a cover letter, resume and reference list with your application. Applications without all documents will not be considered.

Did you know?

  • We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
  • Employees are eligible for a 25% tuition discount program (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
  • We offer comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
  • Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
  • Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
  • Generous retirement savings options are available 

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

CEO is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from all candidates.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

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