Taiirgul Umarbekova
Park Ridge,IL
Summary
Highly motivated, detail-oriented, and result-oriented professional with 10+ years of administrative work and 3+ years of teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) experience. Experience in working with diverse groups and communities. Proven record of meeting deadlines and handling multiple tasks. Excellent written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability in developing positive relationships with customers and coworkers. Highly organizing and planning skills. Working knowledge of MS Office applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Services Caseworker
Family and Community Resource Center
Chicago, IL
06.2017 - Current
- Option RN (37
- Determining initial eligibility of the applicants for public assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and medical programs
- Reviewing case records and clearances
- Conducting thorough phone or face-to-face interviews to obtain information
- Explaining eligibility criteria and requirements to applicants
- Requesting verification of the collected information and reviewed received verifications of applicants to make eligibility decisions
- Accessing and verifying customers’ employment and information through the work number (TWN) in Integrated Eligibility System (IES), Wage Verification File Inquiry (AWVS) and State Online Query (SOLQ)
- Reviewing immigration documents of refugees, special immigrants, asylees, and victims human trafficking, torture, and other serious crimes to determine eligibility
- Maintaining a contact with Voluntary Sponsoring Agencies (VOLAGS), who work directly with Department of State in the resettlement of refugees and asylees
- Maintaining a public assistance caseload by re-determining eligibility for TANF, SNAP, and medical assistance cases with a change in income, expenses, number of household members
- Responding to inquiries from clients and made appropriate changes in case records
- Completing all necessary forms before approving SNAP and TANF redeterminations
- Updating information pertaining to case by completing and filing agency forms
- Processing actions timely on reported changes
- Reviewing calculations and verifications prior to approval to ensure all actions are correct
- Utilizing online policy and WAG manual to ensure correct policy is implemented
- Ensuring that case load materials are maintained in an orderly and accessible manner including uploading the correct materials to the correct cases in IES
- Ensuring to apply knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and laws for public assistance cases
- Completing family assessments by evaluating TANF customer’s family, and the family's situation to determine what benefits the family may be eligible to receive
- Assisting clients in identifying skills, strengths, challenges, supports in order to become self-sufficient
- Referring TANF clients to employment and training, vocational rehabilitation, child care, child support services, mental health, domestic violence, and other supportive services
- Working with client to establish responsibility and service plan to address to set self-sufficiency goals and address barriers to self-sufficiency
- Evaluating client’s level of work preparedness at interview and made decisions on what training/services client needs to find employment
- Maintaining work and training program activities: Work First, Job Search, English as a Second Language (ESL), etc
- For TANF customers
- Determining initial eligibility and maintaining case load for new programs: State Funded Food, Medical, and Cash Assistance for Victims of Human Trafficking, Torture, and other serious crimes (VTTC)
- Reviewing VTTC cases and ensuring that approved cases have all required verifications, manual food and cash calculations are accurate, and all required manual forms are completed and uploaded in electronic case records in Integrated Eligibility System(IES)
- Maintaining master list on a monthly basis for manual food and cash issuances for VTTC program
- Complying with handling cases from monthly report list of refugee cash cases and updating cases from Priority Action List (PAL) and BATCH
- Translating functions and procedures into Russian for individuals who cannot speak and write English
- Actively participating on training programs, designed to give cross section familiarity and intimate knowledge of program and service philosophies and the operating objectives of the agency, as well as working knowledge of a broad spectrum of professional career disciplines
- Attending and participating in staff meetings, workshops, and other activities which provide meaningful learning experiences
- Establishing and maintaining effective public relations with coworkers.
Social Services, Trainee
Illinois Department of, Family and Community Resource Center
Chicago, IL
06.2016 - 05.2017
- Option RN (37.5 hrs, Determined eligibility by reviewing applications for public assistance programs: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and medical assistance programs, by conducting face-to-face or phone interviews, collecting information and calculating income according to the Federal and State guidelines
- Explained and interpreted eligibility criteria and requirements for public assistance programs to citizens, refugees, special immigrants, asylees, and torture victims from different parts of the world
- Requested verification of the collected information
- Accessed and verified customers’ employment and information through the work number (TWN) in Integrated Eligibility System (IES), Wage Verification File Inquiry (AWVS) and State Online Query (SOLQ)
- Learned to work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Conducted self-assessment to ensure sensitivity to cultural characteristics
- Designed communication strategies in order to work effectively with families from diverse backgrounds
- Made referrals to English as a Second Language (ESL) program, education and training, employment, and mental health services and to other community resources
- Maintained a contact with Voluntary Sponsoring Agencies (VOLAGS), who work directly with Department of State in the resettlement of refugees
- Responded to routine inquiry from clients, maintained phone contact and initiated correspondence to determine changes in client’s status
- Recorded case status changes and notified clients of changes in status and appeal rights
- Made appropriate entries in case records of all actions taken and ensured documents placed in record are accurate and complete
- Complied with handling cases from monthly report list of refugee cash cases and updating cases from Priority Action List (PAL)
- Translated functions and procedures into Russian for individuals who cannot speak and write English
- Attended and participated in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, and other activities which provide meaningful experiences.
Administrative Coordinator
Kurdish Cultural Center
Chicago, IL
05.2014 - 04.2017
- Provided immigrants with orientation which helped them to adjust to life in a new country
- Assisted clients in obtaining Social Security cards, Identification cards, and Driver’s license, in applying for public assistance programs
- Conducted research on education and employment, social, and immigration services
- Assisted clients to find housing, jobs, and other resources
- Assisted clients with preparation and filing immigration and naturalization related applications and petitions with INS (Immigration and Naturalization Services)
- Maintained client case files in accordance with case file management system
- Participated effectively as a team member through communication, cooperation, information sharing, and problem solving.
Graduate Assistant
Robert Morris University
Chicago, IL
01.2013 - 05.2013
- Provided basic administrative functions of academic advising: course planning, registration, and academic counseling
- Worked with students to offer support and advice in their educational and career goals
- Provided students with internship, employment, and training resources and services
- Assisted students in development of an academic plan consistent with their stated goals, interest, and abilities
- Conducted a research about diversity in higher education, student development theories and learned how to apply them in practice
- Proposed and developed to the university a program for single mother students who faced issues and barriers entering higher education to complete a degree
- Program offers supportive services, campus or emergency childcare services, flexible class schedules, accessibility of services, single mothers’ club at campus, face–to-face or Online tutoring services, structured fast paced programs, learning communities and cohorts which can help to achieve academic success and lead to graduation.
Administrative/Project Assistant
Oldi Multicultural Marketing Agency
Northbrook, IL
05.2010 - 01.2011
- Created unique online advertising campaigns, targeting specific ethnic audiences
- Provided niche market research, worked on developing custom niche market strategies and converting them into successful advertising and marketing campaigns
- Created and updated records and files
- Assisted the head of department with planning events.
Educational Coordinator
Osh State University
02.2006 - 05.2008
- English-Russian Teacher (35 hrs
- Evaluated admission applications using standardized checklist
- Member of admissions committee to make decisions on acceptance
- Disseminated information to prospective students and parents about programs, financial aid, housing, and student life
- Aided management and coached students for educational preparation
- Provided orientation for international and first year students
- Counseled and advised students in the choice of degree programs, supplemental lessons, and student organizations
- Monitored students’ academic progress
- Learned new organizational processes, policies, and procedures
- Created and updated records and files of students
- Taught English/Russian to diverse students
- Supervised 5 tutors with daily activities
- Ensured tutors comply with organizational rules and policies
- Participated in training new tutors
- Monitored attendance and helped resolve tutor-student scheduling conflicts
- Scheduled and oversaw the work of tutoring staff
- Provided guidance to tutors with designing a class plan for students with different learning styles and preparing instructional learning materials
- Non-For Profit Human Rights Center "Citizens Against Corruption"- Osh, Kyrgyzstan Volunteer, Observer on Republican and Presidential elections (6 hrs
- Per
09.2006 - 05.2008
- Organized campaigns for fair elections of state representatives
- Organized seminars/workshops on human and women’s rights on educating community about corruption, law, and ethics principles.
Administrative Legal Assistant/ Translator/ Interpreter
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
03.2007 - 04.2008
- Kyrgyzstan, Diplomatic Service Center - Osh, Kyrgyzstan, Advised international students on policies and procedures to reside in a foreign country
- Processed all required documentation for issuing visas, evaluating foreign diplomas, standardizing birth and marriage certificates
- Conducted English, Russian, Kyrgyz translations of business documents
- Conducted research on refugees and their legal rights.
Tutor
Ostrovski Highs School, Tashkomur
09.2003 - 05.2004
- Taught English/Russian languages
- Helped students with difficulties learning the second language
- Non-profit, Ecological Organization ”Chintamani”-Tashkumir, Kyrgyzstan Volunteer, Writer of Articles for magazine ”Chintamani” (10 hrs
- Per week
01.2002 - 05.2004
- Organized seminars/presentations to high school students about environmental science and protection, pollution of water environment, IUCN Red list of Threatened Species, greenhouse effect, and global warming
- Wrote articles on environmental issues in Tashkumyr town for Chintamani magazine.
Education
Master of Management - undefined
Robert Morris University
07.2013
Master of Arts - Applied Linguistics
Jusup Balasagin Kyrgyz National State University
05.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics, Language Interpretation & Translation
Osh State University
05.2009
Higher Education - Administration
Timeline
Human Services Caseworker
Family and Community Resource Center
06.2017 - Current
Social Services, Trainee
Illinois Department of, Family and Community Resource Center
06.2016 - 05.2017
Administrative Coordinator
Kurdish Cultural Center
05.2014 - 04.2017
Graduate Assistant
Robert Morris University
01.2013 - 05.2013
Administrative/Project Assistant
Oldi Multicultural Marketing Agency
05.2010 - 01.2011
Administrative Legal Assistant/ Translator/ Interpreter
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
03.2007 - 04.2008
09.2006 - 05.2008
Educational Coordinator
Osh State University
02.2006 - 05.2008
Tutor
Ostrovski Highs School, Tashkomur
09.2003 - 05.2004
01.2002 - 05.2004
Master of Management - undefined
Robert Morris University
Master of Arts - Applied Linguistics
Jusup Balasagin Kyrgyz National State University
Bachelor of Arts - Linguistics, Language Interpretation & Translation
Osh State University