ADRN Specialist, Black Elder Advocate

Description

NOTE:  this role is budgeted to start in the $23-25/hr. range, depending upon experience.

Homage Senior Services, formerly Senior Services of Snohomish County is the largest and most comprehensive nonprofit service provider for older adults, people with disabilities, and their families in Snohomish County. Our guiding principles of independence, dignity, and quality of life are realized through our interconnected core service areas: nutrition, transportation, home repair, and social services. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace and offer you the opportunity to work to your fullest potential while making a difference in the community.

Summary:

The Aging & Disability Resource (ADR) Specialist/Elder Advocate is a critical link between elders and disabled adults in Snohomish County and vital resources for their support, including interpretation and coordination of services for those who face challenges with accessing those services social and economic barriers.

This position focuses on outreach, resource navigation, and social engagement to improve the quality of life for older Black adults. By building relationships with the community and facilitating connections to critical services, the Black Elder Advocate ensures that this underserved population receives the support they need to achieve social and economic stability. One day per week is spent working with the Black Elder community group during an in-person lunch and social time.  The remaining day is for administrative work such as client notes and meetings.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Builds trust with Black elders and their families, providing culturally sensitive outreach and support
• Facilitates weekly group meetings for Black elders at the Carl Gipson Community Center, offering opportunities for socialization and resource sharing
• Connects clients with essential services, including food assistance, healthcare, COVID-19-related resources (vaccines, telehealth), and transportation
• Develops individualized service plans based on client needs assessments and follow through with appropriate referrals
• Maintains accurate records of client interactions and services provided, documenting outcomes in the Community Living Connections Information System
• Promotes program visibility through community engagement and representation at key events (e.g., Nubian Jam, MLK Day, Juneteenth)
• Provides regular updates on program activities and outcomes to management and funders
• Maintains an Outlook calendar to track client appointments, group events, and outreach activities
• Ensures compliance with program requirements and documentation standards as outlined in the contract
• Informs older adults and their family members and/or caregivers about programs, services and benefits available in the community and provides assistance in obtaining benefits for older adults who cannot directly access services
• Develops key contacts in the Snohomish County Community utilizing the Carl Gipson Senior Center as an entry point
• Maintains accurate, up-to-date and complete records of client and collateral contacts
• Assists the center with scheduling activities and meal services for the their assigned Senior Group
• Participate in training designed to improve skills and expand areas of expertise
• Regular and routine attendance
• Other duties as assigned

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Two years of paid experience providing direct human services (preferred)
• Ability to problem-solve and work in a fast pace environment and potentially stressful situations and maintain a positive, can-do attitude
• Organized, self-motivated, strive for excellence, critical thinking skills
• Excellent customer service skills and ability to relate well with diverse populations
• Empathy for and sincere interest in working with older adults, people with disabilities, and their informal caregivers/helpers
• Must be able to communicate, read and write proficiently, in English
• Ability to participate in program outreach and public presentations
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and adapt to changing program needs.
• WA Driver’s License and current auto insurance
• Technology-literate and confident learning new databases/systems; effective working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint); comfortable navigating in Microsoft Windows environment and using internet browsers. 
• Must be fully vaccinated per program or agency requirements.

Absent any regulatory or contractual requirement for specific education/certification, other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience which provide the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered
• 2 years of experience in community outreach, case management, or resource navigation
• Strong knowledge of community resources and services available in Snohomish County
• Demonstrated ability in engaging diverse populations and building trusting relationships
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel)
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Experience working with older adults and/or immigrant populations is highly desirable
• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and adapt to changing program needs

Work environment and physical demands:

• This work is performed in an office environment, staff's place of residence and/or in public venues.
• When necessary, the ability to work in a semi-open office setting with frequent in-person interactions.
• Must be able to use full range of senses including hearing, sight, touch and smell as needed to complete the job's essential duties.
• Must be able to lift at least 25 pounds occasionally related to equipment/supplies for public presentations.
• Work requires occasional travel away from the office during normal business hours. 

Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

Employees working 25 hours or more are eligible to enroll in medical, dental, vision, basic life, and critical illness insurance, with an increased cost share for employees scheduled for 25-29 hours/week. Employees working 20 hours or more per week receive 11 designated paid holidays plus 2 "floating holidays" per year, as well as paid vacation and sick time. Employees age 21 and older are able to enroll in our 401K plan upon hire and, after one year and at least 1000 hours worked, will be eligible for our matching program. 

This role is budgeted to start in the $23-25/hr. range, depending upon experience.

Salary : $22 - $35