1. Employment Profile: What exactly does a Benefits Specialist do? |
|
 What field is your job in?
Social Services/Non Profit
|
|
What is your job title?
Benefits Specialist
|
|
Please provide a brief description of the firm or organization that you currently work for
(size and general description of what type of organization it is)
I work for an AIDS Service organization. I believe we employ approx 150 people throughout the state. We are a Social Service agency providing HIV testing/prevention efforts and services to those infected with HIV/AIDS including case management, housing assistance, financial assistance, food pantry, medical/dental clinic, mental health counseling.
|
|
How long have you been employed in this position?
5 years
|
|
How many hours do you work a week on average?
40
|
|
Please provide a BRIEF description of your duties and responsibilities. (job description)
I assist people living with HIV in getting and keeping medical benefits (medicare, medicaid, private insurance, etc.), social security disability, and helping them to resolve problems that arise with public benefit programs.
|
|
What was your gross income last year? Please include any bonuses or incentives received.
38000
|
|
What is your expected gross income for this year? Please include any bonuses or incentives you expect to receive.
39000
|
|
Please
list any benefits you have (Please include number of weeks vacation,
sick leave and type of health insurance, retirement plan 401k)
medica/dental insurance, holidays, sick, personal & vacation time, life insurance, medical/dependent care fsa, 401K , pre-tax parking/transportation benefit
|
|
Do you feel you are under/well/over compensated at your current position?
I am undercompensated for what I do, but fairly compensated compared to what other agencies pay for similar positions in the city
|
|
|
2. Work environment! |
|
Does
your job entail you working with others on a daily basis? Is this
something you like/dislike about your job? Explain
I work with clients all day every day and collaborate with my co-workers and people at other social service agencies and I enjoy it.
|
|
Do you work collaboratively with supervisors/managers?
Yes
|
|
Do you work collaboratively with your co-workers?
Yes
|
|
Describe
your work location (e.g., office, home, theatre, in the field) and what
you like/dislike about working in it
I work in an office. At times it can be a little too monotonous for me, but I don't mind
|
|
Please rank in order of importance from 1-8 (1- most important 8- least important) Assign each number once.
-
4 Income
-
2 Work Environment - co-workers
-
3 Work Environment - supervisors
-
5 Benefits
-
6 Hours
-
7 Level of responsibility
-
1 The actual "work" you do at your job
-
8 Job Title
|
|
3. How should someone new to the workforce get a J-O-B like yours? |
|
If someone wanted to go about getting a job similar to yours, what would you recommend for him or her to do?
Have at least an associates degree in social services, or some similar human services field, get some experience working with diverse people, learn about community resources.
|
|
What
skills do you think a person should have if they want to pursue a
position like yours? Please be specific and explain why (e.g., social
skills, organization skills, technical skills)
Interpersonal skills are a must because you are constantly meeting with/talking with clients and must build a rapport to be successful. Organizational skills are very important to manage a large caseload. Problem-solving skills are essential because a large part of the job is responding to clients' crises, and often a creative approach is necessary because resources are lacking. Counseling skills are also important because clients are often in distress and need some help working through that.
|
|
Do you feel that you need a certain level of education or training to be successful in your job?
Yes, but experience with many different types of people and experience overcoming challenges like those clients face are also as important.
|
|
What advice would you give to someone who was about to start work in your position/ line of work?
Taking care of self is key to avoid burning out quickly. Know that you can't solve everyone's problems and that you are there to offer help only. If you have very solid ideas in your head about what is the right way to live and to do things, reconsider this work because invariably, clients' approach to life will be different than yours and you will not be successful if you insist on things being done as you would do them.
|
|
In order to view the remaining sections of this questionnaire please
SIGN IN
or
REGISTER HERE or 
|
