JOB TITLE:  VIP Advisor

REPORTS TO:  Program Manager

PRIMARY OFFICE:  North Metro (Thornton)
FLSA/EMPLOYEE STATUS:  Full-Time (32 hrs./wk.); Non-exempt
PAY & BENEFITS:  $25-$30/hr. and benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); 401(k); vacation time, sick time, and plentiful paid holidays (including Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day and Juneteenth!).

WHY WORK WITH US?
We’re extremely caring, supportive, down-to-earth, and passionate about what we do. We are continually looking for more ways to improve the employee experience, including providing a 4-day workweek!  Also, we’re very flexible and accommodating, and we provide generous time off for a true work/life balance.  If you want to do work that makes a difference, check out our post below!

HERE ARE SOME DETAILS ABOUT OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE; DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU?

We are looking for someone who has the passion and understanding of working with Veterans and their families. Someone who has the passion and understanding of working with people with disabilities from many different socioeconomic groups. Looking for someone that can go into the homes of our Veterans and can ask personal health-related questions because that’s how the assessment is done. This person needs to be very pleasant, be able to relate and have empathy for others, carry out difficult conversations, and be able to communicate with different types of people. This person also needs to be extremely detail-oriented, willing to handle a ton of paperwork, collect and send paperwork from 3 different parties (VA, Veteran, and FMS), and travel.

• It’s important for you to do work that you find meaningful, and you have a passion for working with Veterans and people with disabilities.
• You’d enjoy having a mix of interacting with people, driving a bunch around the region, and having desk/paperwork time (there’s considerable paperwork/forms).
• You’re extremely detail-oriented, organized, and good at catching errors/inconsistencies.
• You’d be comfortable going into the homes of our Veterans and at ease with asking personal health-related questions (to complete an assessment).
• You’re very pleasant, empathetic, and able to carry out sensitive conversations with different types of people from various socioeconomic groups.
• You’d love to make a difference in the lives of Veterans and their families!

SUMMARY:  Supports the activities of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP).  Assists Veterans with: managing a budget, deciding what services best meet their needs, hiring personal care workers, and purchasing items or services in order to live independently in the community.  Ensures coordination, integration, and effective delivery of these supports and services to Veterans.  Creates support plans and spending plans, monitoring services and problem solving for Veterans at the direction of the Veteran or their representative.  Ensures that the Veteran and/or their representative are the ones directing the services.  Will serve as a role model and mentor for people with disabilities within the community, and maintain positive and effective relationships with CPWD staff and partner agencies.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support services to an average of 30 Veterans to ensure they obtain access to services and supports in order to live independently in the community, increase self-advocacy skills, and improve quality of life.
• Required by the VA to visit Veterans in person a minimum of quarterly and have intake meetings in person for new Veterans.
• Use the Activities of Daily Living Assessment to determine Veterans’ functional needs.
• Facilitate the development, implementation, and documentation of a consumer-directed support plan and spending plan.
• Provide information and referrals to help Veterans find needed services and supports.
• Assist Veterans with hiring/training/supervising/terminating employees and completing employer/employee paperwork.
• Work with the Fiscal Management Service, helping the Veteran review, approve, and submit timesheets.
• Work in conjunction with Program Manager to monitor billing to ensure expenditures are within budget and that employees are receiving their pay and benefits.
• Work in conjunction with CPWD’s Program Manager and Accounting Department to ensure all assessment fees and monthly admin fees are collected.
• Help the Veteran evaluate how well VIP is working.
• Keep the local VA Medical Center informed about the Veteran’s status, in conjunction with Program Manager.
• Collaborate with military and civilian community resources.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate database documentation.
• Gain an understanding of Independent Living Philosophy and CPWD’s mission, vision and programs to be able to uphold and communicate them to consumers and community organizations.
• Demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Have a working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
• All CPWD staff members are considered mandatory reporters, obligated to report signs of abuse they are aware of both on and off the job.
• Accept responsibility for personal and professional development and explore opportunities for position-related training.
• Travel up to 20-30% as needed for direct services, meetings, and trainings.
• Attend and participate in CPWD staff meetings, program meetings, and staff trainings.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in a relevant field and/or relevant equivalent experience.
• Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Office, Google Suite, and other common computer programs.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills, and attention to detail.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills with diverse peers, consumer base, other staff members and management.
• Able to positively represent CPWD and outreach to the community and public.
• Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able to work independently, making solid decisions and exercising sound judgment with consumer and community contacts.
• Must be very organized and able to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Working knowledge of disabilities and disability-related issues.
• Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able to demonstrate commitment to CPWD’s non-discrimination policy DEI Statement.
• Able to demonstrate CPWD’s core values of inclusiveness, flexibility, person-first, accountability, and integrity.
• Effective written and oral communications skills.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record (if applicable).
• Satisfactory backgrounds checks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal experience with a disability is a huge advantage!
• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field and/or two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or English/ASL.
• Exposure to Independent Living philosophies, and best practices in the IL community.
• Knowledge of Person Centered Planning principles.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and an extended amount of time sitting or standing.
• Local and regional travel up to 20-30% in various weather conditions.
• Primarily based out of North Metro (Thornton) CPWD office location.
• May be asked to work out of any CPWD office, as needed.

People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply!

CPWD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are dedicated to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and fostering a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion while actively challenging and dismantling systemic racism and oppression.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower a qualified candidate to perform the essential functions of the job.

HOW TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated résumé and customized cover letter to [email protected] explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position.  We look forward to hearing from you!

www.cpwd.org

People with disabilities of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply!

JOB TITLE:  Disability Benefits Advocate
PRIMARY OFFICE:  Boulder or Longmont; potential for hybrid work after initial training
FLSA/EMPLOYEE STATUS:  Full-Time (32 hrs./wk.; 4 days/wk.); Non-exempt
PAY & BENEFITS:  $25-$31/hr. and benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); 401(k); vacation time, sick time, and plentiful paid holidays (including Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day and Juneteenth!).

WHY WORK WITH US?
We’re extremely caring, supportive, down-to-earth, and passionate about what we do. We are continually looking for more ways to improve the employee experience, including providing a 4-day workweek!  Also, we’re very flexible and accommodating, and we provide generous time off for a true work/life balance.  If you want to do work that makes a difference, check out our post below!

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are looking for a team member who is passionate about independence and justice for people with disabilities.  One of the foundations to securing independence for many people is benefits, including SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and/or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).  As a Benefits Advocate, you would play a major role in assisting individuals in applying for and obtaining these benefits.  We’re looking for someone who can bring skills in varied areas: People and Relational Skills are important because every person applying for benefits is different, has a different story, different communication and follow-through capacities, and different needs; Organizational Skills are important because applying for benefits is a detailed and meticulous process that requires effective planning and tracking; and Teamwork skills are important because at CPWD, we work as a team, share information with each other, and co-support each other in completing our work and achieving our mission.

Here are some prompts to help you decide if this position might be right for you:

• Do you have a sense of empathy and commitment to independent living and people with disabilities?
• Are you good at talking to people, patient and clear, and accepting of differences in communication style and background?
• Are you detail-oriented; able to plan well/project manage, track data in real time and not let it pile up for later, and collate and organize outcomes and activities to report on your accomplishments subjectively and objectively?
• Do you have experience with government paperwork and processes?
• Are you looking to work for an organization that values teamwork, sharing, and is mission based?
• Are you able to manage your own time effectively?

SUMMARY: The Disability Benefits Advocate’s primary function is to  help people with disabilities apply for and obtain SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and/or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) using the SOAR model (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery).  The Disability Benefits Advocate will assist consumers throughout the application process including developing and filing SSI/SSDI claims, writing medical summary reports, and management of the claim to decision.  Maintains contact with consumers throughout the application process and serves as the liaison between the consumer, Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Determination Services (DDS).  Will serve as a role model and mentor for people with disabilities within the community, and maintain positive and effective relationships with CPWD staff and partner agencies.

This position is funded by a grant from the Colorado Disability Funding Committee that runs through 6/30/24. As the conditions for the grant are met, the position may grow to be funded by other sources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must be able to manage a caseload of approximately 40-60 consumers.
• Assist consumers in understanding the SSI/SSDI application process, their rights as individuals, and the benefits they may qualify for.
• Provide education, and empower consumers to become effective self-advocates.
• Assist consumers in gathering medical records and other information to complete SSI/SSDI applications.
• With the consumer, write Medical Summary Reports (MSR) for applications.
• Identify proper forms and obtain signatures on all the required forms and documentation.
• Maintain regular contact with active consumers at least monthly and respond promptly to consumers with appropriate documentation.
• As needed, accompany consumers to appointments at the Social Security Administration and maintain communication with Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Disability Determination Division (DDD) regarding cases.
• Facilitate educational workshops related to disability benefits.
• Develop and maintain a deep knowledge and understanding of local community resources, such as cross-disability, government and nonprofit agencies that work with CPWD consumers.
• Engage new consumers and community partners through outreach efforts.
• Demonstrate commitment to Independent Living Philosophy and CPWD’s mission, vision and programs to be able to uphold and communicate them to consumers and community organizations.
• Demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Have a working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.
• Work independently, schedule and manage personal workload, and recognize when there is a need for approval or support from supervisor.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate database documentation.
• Accept responsibility for personal and professional development and explore opportunities for position-related training.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
• All CPWD staff members are considered mandatory reporters, obligated to report signs of abuse they are aware of both on and off the job.
• Travel as needed for direct services, groups, trainings, and outreach events.
• Participate in CPWD staff meetings, program meetings, and staff training activities.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in a relevant field or relevant equivalent experience.
• Certification or ability to become SOAR certified within the first month of employment.
• Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Office, Google Suite, and other common computer programs.
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy and brevity.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills, and attention to detail.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills with diverse peers, consumer base, other staff members and management.
• Able to positively represent CPWD and outreach to the community and public.
• Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able to work independently, making solid decisions and exercising sound judgment with consumer and community contacts.
• Working knowledge of disabilities and disability-related issues.
• Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able to demonstrate commitment to CPWD’s non-discrimination policy DEI Statement
• Able to demonstrate CPWD’s core values of inclusiveness, flexibility, person-first, accountability, and integrity.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record (if applicable).
• Satisfactory backgrounds checks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal experience with a disability is strongly preferred!
• SOAR Certification (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery).
• Bachelor’s degree or four years of relevant equivalent experience.
• Experience in filing government paperwork.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/other language).
• Exposure to Independent Living philosophies, and best practices in the IL community.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and an extended amount of time sitting or standing.
• Local and regional travel up to 20% in various weather conditions.
• Primarily based out of CPWD’s Boulder or Longmont office location.
• May be asked to work out of any CPWD office, as needed.

CPWD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are dedicated to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and fostering a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion while actively challenging and dismantling systemic racism and oppression.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower a qualified candidate to perform the essential functions of the job.

HOW TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated résumé and customized cover letter to [email protected] explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position.  We look forward to hearing from you!

www.cpwd.org

People with disabilities of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply!

JOB TITLE:  Social Security Non-Attorney Representative
PRIMARY OFFICE:  Boulder or Longmont; potential for hybrid work after initial training
FLSA/EMPLOYEE STATUS:  Full-Time (32 hrs./wk.; 4 days/wk.); Non-exempt
PAY & BENEFITS:  $25-$38/hr. and benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); 401(k); vacation time, sick time, and plentiful paid holidays (including Christmas Eve through New Year’s Day and Juneteenth!).

WHY WORK WITH US?
We’re extremely caring, supportive, down-to-earth, and passionate about what we do.  We are continually looking for more ways to improve the employee experience, including providing a 4-day workweek!  Also, we’re very flexible and accommodating, and we provide generous time off for a true work/life balance.  If you want to do work that makes a difference, check out our post below!

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE
We are looking for a team member who is passionate about independence and justice for people with disabilities.  One of the foundations to securing independence for many people is benefits, including SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and/or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance).  When a person’s SSI/SSDI application is denied, an attorney is often required to file an appeal.  This is a lengthy process that can take a year or more, it is often hard to find an attorney, and fees could be higher.  As a Non-Attorney Representative, you would be trained to support the application/appeal process, without needing a law degree.

This position might be right for you if you have an interest in law, justice, or legal process, or have a lived experience or worked in a similar field that required forms of due process such as the medical, immigration, or public benefits field.  If you have that interest, and also the passion or desire to assist people with disabilities in achieving and maintaining independence, you are likely a good candidate.  If you are already a certified Non-Attorney Representative, you are an excellent candidate, but, if not, we will provide the means for you to get trained and certified.  We would require your commitment to the time it would take to do that as we invest in you.

We’re looking for someone who can bring skills in varied areas: People and Relational Skills are important because every person applying for benefits is different, has a different story, different communication and follow-through capacities, and different needs; Organizational Skills are important because applying for benefits is a detailed and meticulous process that requires effective planning and tracking; and Teamwork skills are important because at CPWD, we work as a team, share information with each other, and co-support each other in completing our work and achieving our mission.

Here are some prompts to help you decide if this position might be right for you:

• Do you have a sense of empathy and commitment to independent living and people with disabilities?
• Are you good at talking to people, patient and clear, and accepting of differences in communication style and background?
• Are you detail-oriented; able to plan well/project manage, track data in real time and not let it pile up for later, and collate and organize outcomes and activities to report on your accomplishments subjectively and objectively?
• Do you have experience with government paperwork and processes?
• Are you looking to work for an organization that values teamwork, sharing, and is mission based?
• Are you able to manage your own time effectively?

SUMMARY: The Social Security Non-Attorney Representative’s primary function is to assist people with disabilities to apply for or appeal, and ultimately obtain, SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and/or SSDI (Social Security Disability Insurance) using the SOAR model (SSI/SSDI, Outreach, Access, and Recovery).  The Social Security Non-Attorney Representative will assist consumers throughout the application process, including developing and filing SSI/SSDI claims, writing medical summary reports, and management of the claim to decision.  Will maintain contact with consumers throughout the application process and serves as the liaison between the consumer, Social Security Administration (SSA) and Disability Determination Services (DDS).  Will serve as a role model and mentor for people with disabilities within the community, and maintain positive and effective relationships with CPWD staff and partner agencies.

This position is funded by a grant from the Colorado Disability Funding Committee that runs through 6/30/24.  As the conditions for the grant are met, the position may grow to be funded by other sources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Must be able to manage a caseload of approximately 40-60 consumers.
• Oversee management and compliance of SSI/SSDI cases.
• Become the consumer’s representative with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and follow the claim through its entirety.

• Assist consumers and their support system in understanding the SSI/SSDI application process, their rights as individuals, and the benefits they may qualify for.
• Provide education, and empower consumers to become effective self-advocates.

• Assist consumers in gathering medical records and other information to complete SSI/SSDI applications
• With the consumer, write Medical Summary Reports (MSR) for applications.
• Identify proper forms and obtain signatures on all the required forms and documentation. 
• Maintain regular contact with consumers at least monthly and respond promptly to consumers with appropriate documentation. 

• As needed, accompany consumers to appointments at the Social Security Administration and maintain communication with Social Security Administration and the Disability Determination Division (DDD) regarding cases.

• File reconsiderations and appeals with the Social Security Administration.
• Act as the consumer’s representative during hearings with an Administrative Law Judge, when applicable.
• Maintain certifications by completing yearly continuing education credits, which is required by the Social Security Administration to receive direct payment for SSI/SSDI claims.
• Facilitate educational workshops related to disability benefits.
• Develop and maintain a deep knowledge and understanding of local community resources, such as cross-disability, government and nonprofit agencies that work with CPWD consumers.
• Engage new consumers and community partners through outreach efforts.
• Demonstrate commitment to the Independent Living Philosophy and CPWD’s mission, vision and programs to be able to uphold and communicate them to consumers and community organizations.
• Demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Have a working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.
• Work independently, schedule and manage personal workload, and recognize when there is a need for approval or support from supervisor.
• Maintain timely, complete, and accurate database documentation.
• Accept responsibility for personal and professional development and explore opportunities for position-related training.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
• All CPWD staff members are considered mandatory reporters, obligated to report signs of abuse they are aware of both on and off the job.
• Travel as needed for direct services, groups, trainings, and outreach events.
• Participate in CPWD staff meetings, program meetings, and staff training activities.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certification or ability to become certified as a Social Security Non-Attorney Representative within the first year of employment.
• Certification or ability to become SOAR certified within the first month of employment.
• Bachelor’s degree or four years of relevant equivalent experience.
• Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Office, Google Suite, and other common computer programs.
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to analyze extensive data and create written reports with accuracy and brevity.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills, and attention to detail.
• Leadership and interpersonal skills with diverse peers, consumer base, other staff members and management.
• Able to positively represent CPWD and outreach to the community and public.
• Able to work independently, making solid decisions and exercising sound judgment with consumer and community contacts.
• Working knowledge of disabilities and disability-related issues.
• Commitment to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able to demonstrate commitment to CPWD’s non-discrimination policy DEI Statement
• Able to demonstrate CPWD’s core values of inclusiveness, flexibility, person-first, accountability, and integrity.
• Strong written and oral communications skills.
• Superior organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record (if applicable).
• Satisfactory backgrounds checks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal experience with a disability is strongly preferred!
• Non-Attorney Representative Certificate from the Social Security Administration.
• SOAR Certificate (SSI/SSDI Outreach Access and Recovery).
• Attorney or paralegal experience.
• Experience in filing government paperwork.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/other language).
• Exposure to Independent Living philosophies, and best practices in the IL community.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and an extended amount of time sitting or standing.
• Local and regional travel up to 20% in various weather conditions.
• Primarily based out of CPWD’s Boulder or Longmont office location.
• May be asked to work out of any CPWD office, as needed.

CPWD is an Equal Opportunity Employer
We are dedicated to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and fostering a culture that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion while actively challenging and dismantling systemic racism and oppression.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to empower a qualified candidate to perform the essential functions of the job.

HOW TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated résumé and customized cover letter to [email protected] explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position.  We look forward to hearing from you!

www.cpwd.org