About JFCS Guardianship Services:

When an adult in our community is unable to care for themselves due to chronic mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or severe trauma, they are placed in the care of JFCS Guardianship Services. You can literally save lives by assisting people who have no one else to turn to.

Our team at JFCS provides guardianship to some of the most vulnerable members of our community, ensuring that they are safe and well cared for. JFCS Guardianship Services works holistically with all other departments in the agency to ensure that people who are struggling get the range of assistance they need.

About this position:

This position is responsible for the maintenance of guardianship consumers’ bank accounts, with adherence to asset limits, burials accounts, and bank accounts. The position is responsible for estate reporting, benefits applications and providing aid to case managers. Duties include balancing accounts, completing accounting reports for Guardian of Estate reporting, social security reporting, VA reporting, audit reviews and fiscal reports, as well as following up on all necessary financial information needed for the clients benefits. Position will also be responsible for interfacing with referring agencies and completing intake assessments of all new wards. Case management assistance as required.

About JFCS Pittsburgh:

In today’s world, it is important that your life’s work brings you value and purpose. By joining the team at JFCS, you will experience hands-on opportunities that directly help people in the Greater Pittsburgh region through life’s changes and challenges.

Proudly voted by JFCS employees as one of Pittsburgh’s best places to work for +10 years, our care and commitment to our employees and our clients is our top priority. We are looking for new employees who share our commitment to providing critical, high quality services to the community.

Benefits:

• Collaborative work environment and diverse staff
• 37.5 hours work week with flexible scheduling to support work-life balance
• Hybrid work model (part of the week in office, part remote)
• Sick Time = 12 days a year
• Vacation Time = starts at 2 weeks the first year and then increases with longevity up to 4 weeks total
• Additional paid time off for all employees = most federal holidays, 3-5 floating holidays (to be used at employee’s discretion), and a number of Jewish holidays
• Comprehensive health insurance - medical, dental and vision
• Short and long term disability, life insurance and a 401k package for which JFCS contributes 4% of salary after the first year of service
• Annual longevity bonuses after the first year of service

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with all aspects of fiscal management of client accounts: data entry, periodic reports, reconciliation of bank statements, opening and managing client bank accounts, making various payments, reporting on accounts to supervisor and alerting of any irregularities.
• Work directly with our attorney on Estate reports and documentation needed.
• Participate in team meetings
• Intake paperwork as assigned
• Applications and ongoing maintenance of benefits such as SS and MA
• Participate in training and development activities including those designed to improve responsiveness to the clients served and/or increased cultural awareness and those suggested in supervision.
• Complete banking and purchasing of monthly food cards and bus passes, and various other items for clients
• Travel to various facilities to make deliveries, assist with routine tasks on behalf of clients or conduct routine visits to check in on clients as needed
• Communicate on behalf of clients to insurance agencies, physician’s offices and financial institutions regarding client’s benefits.
• Monitor, sort and distribute daily mail.
• Provide case management services on behalf of the client such as completing applications for benefits such as Social Security Disability or SSI, rent rebate forms; investigating medical insurance alternatives.
• Will conduct research necessary to complete an appropriate burial plan.
• In collaboration with guardianship caseworker, create debt repayment plans on behalf of client.
• Initiate or respond to telephone contacts with bill collectors or parties owed money. Send letters as needed informing potential creditors of wards financial status.
• Complete banking tasks such as obtaining cash for allowances, accomplishing immediate, non-routine check writing. Close prior bank accounts and create new ones as needed; change signature cards as needed.
• Attendance at departmental and agency wide staff meetings and in-service training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Bachelor Degree preferred. Experience with fiscal responsibilities connected with the role of Guardianship of Estate, MA/SSDI/I/VA benefit applications, estate bank accounts, as well as representative payee. Must have good communication skills as the position requires interfacing with referring agencies to do intakes. Must be skilled in spreadsheets, google docs, and have a demonstrated ability to maintain detailed electronic records. Must demonstrate sensitivity to clients with special needs, including cultural awareness of the client population. Must have the ability to work independently. Additional duties include bill pay for all representative payee clients and other fiscal responsibilities as necessary. Reliable vehicle for work related travel is required.