Social Services Program Specialist

REPORTS TO: Community Programs Supervisor

2021 TEN-STEP HOURLY RANGE: $24.11 – $31.45, DOQ

JOB SUMMARY: Northwest Regional Council (a council of governments for Island, San Juan,

Skagit and Whatcom counties) is a multipurpose human services agency that relies on high

performing employees to provide the best possible community-based supports for senior citizens,

people with disabilities, and people affected by complex, chronic health conditions. Program

Specialists provide information, assistance, and options/benefits counseling on the services,

products, and/or resources available to clients who face challenges related to aging and/or

disabilities and their families, through social service agencies, medical providers, and community

partners. Functions include screening and assessing to identify needs, making referrals and/or

authorizing appropriate resources and services, providing ongoing education, consultation and

general assistance to clients and family caregivers that is client driven and solution focused.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES include but are not limited to:
Client Services

1. Screens clients for services and conducts assessments by telephone interviews, office visits,

and/or home visits as necessary.

2. Completes automated assessment of client or caregiver needs that evaluates client’s

cognitive, behavioral, and functional abilities. As appropriate, may:

a. Explore options with client(s) relating to long-term services and supports, which may include

housing, end of life, healthcare, social supports, etc.

b. Determine need and level of care for services (respite, personal care, caregiver training,

consultants, etc.) authorizing resources for support.

c. Provides timely follow-up with clients as necessary to assure that presenting problems are

minimized or solved and needs are met. Monitors progress of service delivery as needed.

3. Provides crisis/mental health referrals for clients who appear to have serious mental health

problems that may need immediate attention. Makes Adult Protective Services (APS) referrals

as necessary.

4. Develops and maintains confidential client files that document activities performed for the client

and contain all other records required for Aging and Disabilities (ADR), Family Caregiver

Support (FCSP), and other programs as assigned. Compiles reports as necessary to meet

reporting and statistical requirements for funding purposes. As necessary, tracks authorized

spending against actual spending and stays within allocated budget guidelines.

Outreach

5. Develops and implements effective outreach strategies for difficult-to-serve populations

including individuals with limited-English proficiency, rural/isolated populations, and populations

of minority older adults, disabled adults, some of whom may have limited income and

resources. Provides effective public relations, advocacy, and information to other agencies,

businesses, and places of worship.

6. Works closely with internal and external partners to maintain awareness of available services

to meet the needs of clients, caregivers, and their families to assure partners are

knowledgeable and can make appropriate referrals for program services.

Program Development and Maintenance

7. Gathers and/or develops and maintains resource files and/or database(s) of programs and

services. Manages resource files and database(s) using Alliance for Information and Referral

Systems (AIRS) taxonomy. Provides information to designated agency webmaster to update

program webpages.

Program Specialist

1.0 FTE

Mount Vernon (Skagit County) Office

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Northwest Regional Council

An Equal Opportunity Employer

QUALIFICATIONS:Education/Experience:
Bachelor’s Degree in social services or related field; AND two years of experience providing

direct human/social services; OR

Two years of relevant college level courses; AND four years of experience providing direct

human/social services; OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the skills, knowledge and

ability to perform the work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated skills in interpersonal communication, interviewing, client assessment, problem

solving, organization, time management, and documentation of activities.

Knowledge of the long-term care process, issues related to aging and disability, service

delivery systems, and family caregiver issues preferred.

Licenses/Certificates:
Must have a valid Washington State driver’s license, a vehicle available for work-related travel,

and appropriate liability insurance.

Will be expected to become AIRS Certified during the second year of employment (after one full

year of FCSP/ADR experience).

Based on agency need, may be expected to complete additional training/certifications such as

motivational interviewing, communicating in conflict, mental health first aid, Community Health

Worker training, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONSPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Pre-pandemic, work is performed primarily in

a shared workspace / office environment with field assignments that include travel to client homes or

community partner offices/events. The office environment can be busy due to unscheduled phone and in-

person inquiries from the public. Potential exposure to repetitive stresses due to prolonged use of computers.

Currently, work is performed remotely via telephone, and video conferencing.

Sufficient mobility is required for the use of office equipment such as computers or laptops, telephones, files

and copiers, as well as for performing in-home assessments of clients, which may have limited accessibility.

Lifting a maximum of 30 pounds may be required. The ability to hear and communicate at a level sufficient to

perform the essential functions of the position is required.

BENEFITS: NWRC offers employer paid medical/dental/vision for the employee and their

dependents with the employee choosing from multiple medical and dental plan options. Other

employer paid benefits include Life and Long-term Disability insurance with options for buy-up;

participation in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) with employer & employee

contributions, voluntary Flex Plans for health and/or child/elder care, an Employee Assistance

Program (EAP) for the employee and dependents and various voluntary deferred compensation

programs. Full time employees accrue paid sick and vacation leave, each at 8 hours per month, as

well as 12 paid holidays per year. Alternative Work Schedule may be available after successfully

passing 6-month Trial Service Period. Note: NWRC meets the Public Service Loan Forgiveness

(PSLF) definition of a public service organization.

TO APPLY: Application materials may be obtained by downloading from

https://www.nwrcwa.org/employment/, e-mailing [email protected] or calling the Bellingham Office

@ 360-676-6749. All applications and application materials, including a cover letter and resume,

must be fully completed and returned to the Bellingham office via email, postal mail or dropped off in

outside drop box.

SELECTION PROCESS: After reviewing the applications, the NWRC will contact the most qualified

candidates to participate in a selection process consisting of job-related selection exercises. NWRC

will make reasonable accommodation upon request for those individuals with disabilities.

Areas of Experience

1. I have experience exploring the following options and available services with clients:

 End of Life/Hospice  Food/Meal Resources  Healthcare/Insurance

 Housing  In-home Care  Memory Loss/Dementia

 Long-term Care  Respite  Social Supports

 Transportation  Other:
2. I am experienced in the following interviewing/counseling techniques:

 Motivational Interviewing  Communicating in Conflict

 Mental Health First Aid  Community Health Worker Training

 Other:
3. I am able to:  Read  Understand Speak

Spanish  Russian  Other _____________________________

4. Please describe what ‘providing person-centered information and services’ means to you.

Program Specialist

Employment Application Addendum

600 Lakeway Drive

Bellingham, WA 98225

(360) 676-6749