Health Counselor

The Community Service Society (CSS) seeks Health Counselors to work for its new Ombudsprogram for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the Health Initiatives Department. The Community Service Society (CSS) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that has been at the forefront of public policy innovations that support low-income New Yorkers for over 175 years. CSS’s Health Initiatives Department runs a number of statewide programs that help New Yorkers find and use their health insurance or otherwise access health care and services, including: Community Health Advocates (CHA); the Community Health Access to Addiction and Mental Healthcare Project (CHAMP); the Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN); and several enrollment assistance programs. These programs are free for New Yorkers. In 2024, the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) issued a proposal to establish and operate an independent, conflict-free consumer assistance program (Ombudsman) for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursuant to §33.28 of the Mental Hygiene Law.

CSS is seeking a dedicated and experienced Health Counselor to help staff the IDD Ombudsprogram Helpline that provides assistance to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families, and representatives as they ace ss services from OPWDD.

Job Description:

• Provide information, education, advice, and navigational services to clients on how to successfully access the services offered through OPWDD.
• Assist clients as they seek to use the OPWDD system.
• Respond to live calls from consumers, family members, or their representatives on the IDD Ombudsprogram Helpline.
• Draft resources for consumers, family members, advocates, providers, and others, as needed.
• Prepare training materials and fact sheets, as needed.
• Maintain thorough case records of services provided or referrals.
• Help identify systemic trends or practices that adversely affect clients and work closely with senior CSS staff and other appropriate stakeholders.
• Other responsibilities identified by Supervisor.

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Graduate degree in law, health policy, socialwork, or other relevant discipline preferred.
• Lived or significant work experience concerning issues facing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities strongly preferred.
• A minimumof two years’ experience providing assistance to consumers and/oradvocates on issues concerning people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, health insurance, or health care access issues required.
• Extraordinary organizational skills required.
• Ability to write clearly, concisely and keep detailed notes of all communications.
• Mission driven, with strong communication, research and advocacy skills required.
• Proficient in MS Office and SalesForce database management skills preferred.
• Written and spokenfluency in Spanish or another language beside English strongly preferred.

Salary and Benefits: This position is union represented by local 1199 SEIU with an annual salary of $81,328.00 and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage provided by 1199. Community Service Society provides an employee benefit package including 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, commuter benefit plan, EAP, and more in addition to a robust paid time off policy.

CSS currently offers a hybrid work environment requiring onsite work at CSS’ office at least two days per week and three days per week remote work.

***Interested applicants should provide a cover letter and resume at the time of application submission***

This position is union represented by local 1199 SEIU with an annual salary of $81,328.00 and comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage provided by 1199. Community Service Society provides an employee benefit package including 403b retirement savings plan, defined benefit retirement plan, commuter benefit plan, EAP, and more in addition to a robust paid time off policy.

Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred.