Eldercare Educator

Office on Aging & Disability Services
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm

Join Somerset County:

• Pension, life insurance, and deferred compensation
• Paid time off package including 14 holidays, vacation time, and personal days in addition to sick leave
• Medical, RX, & Dental plans
• Designated employee health center
• Employee assistance program
• Fitness and tuition reimbursement
• No civil service testing

Position Summary
The Eldercare Educator (EE) exists to provide advocacy, education, and information/assistance to older adults (60 ) and adults (18 ) with disabilities and/or their caregivers. The EE provides advocacy by developing and implementing a niche-marketing and education planning incorporating health literacy concepts, identifying grant opportunities, developing, and presenting educational programs, providing pertinent information on legislative issues, maintaining a current data bank of resources to share with colleagues, overseeing public forums, and planning/implementing special Office on Aging and Disability Services (OOA&DS/Aging and Disability Resource Connection [ADRC]) functions. The EE continuously networks with other service providers to obtain/update information on available services and eligibility criteria. This ongoing agency communication assists the OOA&DS/ADRC team in maintaining a current data bank of resources and ensures all staff are updated and trained on pertinent issues.

The role of EE includes marketing efforts to ensure community engagement and visibility. The EE is responsible for maintaining relationships with local senior groups, municipal senior centers, religious organizations, senior buildings, and additional community groups to ensure education is brought to their members. The EE is responsible for identifying new outreach and education opportunities and to identify additional groups and organizations that would benefit from community education.

The EE is also responsible for providing information and assistance, either in the community or in the main OOA&DS office. This would include assistance with identifying resources, ensuring access to these community resources, and aiding with service navigation to clients and caregivers.

Essential Functions

• Identifies target populations and assesses education needs based on current issues, identified areas of concern, survey results, and information in accordance with rules and regulations established by Somerset County and the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services (NJDoAS)
• Studies and assesses the educational/service needs of the community and analyzes the knowledge, interests, beliefs, and practices of older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers to determine possible barriers to the educational process, implements methods to overcome the barriers and reports findings to the OOA&DS/ADRC Administration
• Coordinates and oversees grant opportunities, application and management including identifying and writing grants, developing budgets, collaborating with community organizations, and monitoring grant programming
• Develops, coordinates, and implements niche educational programs, special events (i.e, Aging Well Expo) and marketing campaigns
• Conducts outreach and marketing to increase OOA&DS’s engagement with other agencies, groups and the community
• Gathers required demographic information of session participants to ensure reimbursement of community education, public awareness, and other funding required documentation
• Maintains familiarity of quantitative guidelines and keeps abreast of changes in the field of gerontology/disability/legislation as it relates to the market niche and special initiatives (i.e., ADRC programs, Medicare, Medicaid, HMO’s Social Security, etc.) and relays pertinent information to OOA&DS/ADRC Administration
• Maintains good working relationships with clients/caregivers, professionals outside and within the OOA&DS/ADRC
• Acts as a resource to providers, the general public, community groups, and other service agencies to promote an understanding of the OOA&DS/ADARC functions
• Maintains and contributes to the updating of the OOA&DS/ADRC Resource Directory and the senior club, religious, and physician database
• Participates in job-related educational programs, as approved
• Collaborates with representatives of other County Divisions to prevent duplication of educational programs
• Understands work schedule may be modified to match program needs. Work hours and coverage may vary to assure essential work functions are covered, including emergency situations which may occur on evenings or weekends
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, nursing and valid license in area of practice, if applicable
• Two (2) years relevant experience in working with older persons and adults (18 ) with physical disabilities
• Two (2) years’ experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating care plans for clients/caregivers
• Teaching experience – minimum one (1) year
• Completion of appropriate OOA&DS/ADRC - Intake and Assistance Training
• SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) certification – obtained within two years of employment
• Care Management Certification – obtained within one year of employment
• Excellent verbal and nonverbal communication skills
• Excellent organization and management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks/assignments, conduct holistic assessment, and effectively problem solve
• Contributes to a harmonious work environment by interacting with the public, all employees, volunteers, and work-related contacts courteously, professionally, sensitively, and tactfully (verbally and in writing) being sure to handle all difficult situations in a private setting (refers to division work rules and professional code of conduct)
• Represents the County of Somerset professionally, respectfully, and harmoniously in all job functions within county buildings and out in the community
• Knowledge of and the ability to implement niche-marketing concepts
• Ability to analyze and interpret and implement federal, state and county policies and work rules
• Ability to take a leading role by providing needed advice, assistance and staff training at the approval and request of supervisors
• Knowledge of adult education techniques and practices; principles and most effective methods of disseminating information; developing community support and cooperation; analysis and evaluating community health needs and resources for older adults and those with physical disabilities; and principles and theory of educational program planning utilizing health literacy concepts
• Proficiency on word processing, spreadsheets, and database computer applications, as applicable with current software systems required by NJ state, grants and county to meet essential functions
• Knowledge of the legislative process and the ability to identify issues pertinent to the aging/disabled population
• A valid New Jersey driver’s license and the ability to independently commute between office, client locations, and meeting sites
• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments; develop, implement, and revise service plans
• Familiarity with coordinating services
• Ability to prioritize tasks/assignments and handle several tasks simultaneously

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills
• A thorough knowledge of County and Division policies and procedures
• An in-depth knowledge of regulations, procedures of Medicare, Medicaid, and pharmaceutical assistance programs
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Federal, State, and Local representatives, other employees, and the public
• Familiarity with completing ADRC Comprehensive Assessments

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• Day shift

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• working with older adults/people with physical disabilities: 2 years (Required)
• developing/implementing/evaluating care plans: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person