Job Descriptions: We look for individuals our organization who are passionate about our mission and values, and providing excellent customer service. We value our employees, working closely with them to help them be successful. We value the people we provide services to, ensuring they receive the highest quality of customer service. Special skills are required for this job to gather information and provide resources for people needing service. Working with a wide variety of people and many requests in a fast paced environment. Recruitment #: 449-12-24 Closes: February 13, 2025 (Last day for internal lateral transfer: 1/29/25) Location: Salem, OR Salary: Starting at $4,307 per month with excellent benefits. (Please see below). Agency Sponsored: Medical/Dental 100% paid for employee and 90-98% for dependents, generous Paid-time off, Public Employee Retirement (PERS), Employee Assistance Plan, Long Term Disability, great culture. Employee paid: Deferred Compensation, Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Colonial Life Supplemental Plans, Legal Shield. Please note: This is a limited-duration position supported by grant funding specific to OWN program work. Upon the expiration of the grant, the position will transition to a full-time permanent position in ADRC. Job Description Meets Agency Mission by serving as an entry point for the Agency and the Oregon Wellness Network providing information, referral, and assistance to individuals concerning aging and disability services, resources, and wellness programs. NOTE: This is a regular ADRC Specialist position with a grant-based focus on providing services for the Oregon Wellness Network. Essential Functions + Provide Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) services and intake services for the Oregon Wellness Network (OWN) + Provide initial screening and referral for Agency and OWN services and programs + Educate the general and medical community about ADRC, Agency, OWN and other community resources + Help to ensure ADRC Online and the OWN website contain accurate and updated information + Maintain and update Agency area of ADRC Online + Facilitate confidence in ADRC Specialist/OWN Intake Coordinator, and therefore the Agency and OWN + Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk + Provide excellent customer service in a professional manner. 1. Provide Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) services and for the Oregon Wellness Network (OWN) + Serve as initial contact for the Agency/Department + Provide information to individuals seeking assistance with aging and disability services via phone or in person + Gather information, determine needs and provide referrals to Agency or community services to help meet identified needs + Provide information about Oregon Wellness Network programs, services, and resources + Help to access wellness programs and classes through OWN website; where appropriate, complete intakes of individuals registering for classes, leader trainings, and individual sessions with Network providers + Document contacts + Follow-up on referrals to ensure that connections are made + Provide advocacy for consumers, to ensure connection to applicable services. 2. Provide initial screening and referral for Agency and OWN services and programs + Determine if individual is appropriate and meets criteria for specific services and programs + Assign screening to appropriate Agency staff for agency-administered programs and services + Complete documentation + Conduct initial Options Counseling + Complete Social Determinants of Health Screening and document in Connect Oregon, where appropriate; + Follow-up to consumer needs identified by SDOH screening + Refer to other resources in Connect Oregon, or if not on network, refer to out of network resources, as appropriate. 3. Educate the general and medical community about ADRC, Agency, OWN, and other community resources + Participate in community outreach events, such as fairs, health events, senior center events, community service events, etc. + Conduct presentations about Agency services and OWN programs + Identify opportunities and recommend outreach activities for identified populations + Participate in community meetings to provide information and to remain informed of available resources + Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other human service organizations and agencies serving seniors and people with disabilities + Update and maintain a current list of resources and a monthly calendar of upcoming events throughout the Agency service area. 4. Help to ensure that ADRC Online and the OWN website contain accurate and updated information + Understand and utilize the database + Identify and report any challenges with usage + Share information about changes to community services, availability, eligibility, etc. 5. Maintain and update Agency area of ADRC Online + Ensure that information in ADRC Online is current for all counties served by NWSDS, including other information assigned to NWSDS + Research and verify changes + Track changes provided by other staff/individuals + Provide accurate data entry of information. 6. Facilitate confidence in OWN ADRC Specialist + Embrace and exhibit the Agency Mission and Core Values + Provide excellent customer service + Meet the needs of consumers by following through, meeting deadlines, and interacting with others in a respectful and culturally appropriate manner + Maintain the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively perform duties + Provide suggestions for improvement. 7. Protect consumers and reduce Agency risk + Follow policies, regulations and requirements of the program and Agency + Provide documentation as set forth by Federal, State, funding regulations and Agency policy + Serve as Mandatory Reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations according to and as required by policy regulations 8. Provide excellent customer service in a professional manner + Apply the required knowledge and skills + Exhibit sound decision making and problem solving + Meet quality standards in accuracy and timeliness + Follow policies and procedures + Work independently, but seek and offer assistance as needed + Exhibit the technology skills related to the required work (word processing, spreadsheets, database, internet research, mail, email and IM communications, phones, copiers, assessment programs such as CAPS, Oregon Access, etc.) + Exhibit a positive attitude towards consumers, co-workers, supervisors, and other constituents + Regular attendance to meet the demands of this job and provide necessary services. (FOR BILINGUAL POSITIONS ONLY) Ensure Non-English speaking consumers receive services + Communicate with individuals whose primary language skills are non-English. + Provide services to consumers whose primary language skills are non-English. + Serve as an interpreter for the Agency in identified language pair, including oral and written; interpret and explain forms, explain rules and policies, etc. + Translate written materials. Supervisory Responsibilities None Required Experience: Minimum Qualifications A qualified applicant will have a minimum of four (4) years of equivalent combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities required. The following is preferred but all qualifications meeting the minimum requirements will be considered: + Associate’s degree in social services or related area + Two years of relevant work experience dealing with the public, and some exposure and understanding of working with seniors and people with disabilities + Must be able to pass Alliance of Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) Certification (training provided) (FOR BILINGUAL POSITIONS ONLY) + Successful completion of a Language Proficiency Test. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The successful applicant must have the following general skills, including the ability to: + Understand and interpret applicable policies and apply them to problem-solving and decision-making in order to serve external and internal customers + Understand and respond to requests from internal and external customers, social service professionals, and the general public + Apply knowledge and skills in a timely, accurate, and efficient manner to meet deadlines + Work effectively with a wide variety of individuals and small groups + Interact in respectful and culturally appropriate ways + Exhibit excellent interpersonal communication and listening skills + Exhibit a positive attitude + Use good judgment, courtesy, and tact + Speak, read, write, and understand English + Present information well + Follow verbal and written instruction + Know and commit to abide by rules governing consumer confidentiality, mandatory reporting, provider records, and investigations The successful applicant must have the following job-specific knowledge andskills, including the ability to: + Gather information from individuals including needs, basic financial information, etc. + Maintain knowledge of Agency and community services, and basic program eligibility + Knowledge of health services delivery systems, such as Medicaid administration in Oregon, Community Health Programs, Coordinated Care Organizations, etc. + Understand consumer populations + Learn and apply options counseling principles and process + Knowledge of social determinants of health and their impacts on health outcomes + Learn software systems used for documenting and assigning screenings + Learn and effectively utilize and navigate ADRC Online, OWN, and other resource databases + Learn and apply general office practices such as confidentiality rules, employee records maintenance, client records maintenance, and agency policies and procedures applicable to the specific program and area of work + Work as an effective team member in a high call volume environment + Use extensive business-English skills (grammar, spelling, and punctuation) and math skills + Operate a personal computer, copier, fax machine, phone, and general office equipment, etc. + Become AIRS certified. Other Requirements The successful applicant must have the following skills, including the ability to: + Support the agency’s mission, ethics, and values + Secure and maintain a valid driver’s license in the state of Oregon, or an acceptable alternative means of transportation + Commit to regular attendance as it is required to meet the demands of this job + Pass a criminal background check successfully + Maintain and share information according to privacy regulations + Serves as a mandatory reporter of suspected abuse of vulnerable populations as required by policy and regulation + Complete necessary work as assigned. Work Environment and Physical Demands ADRC Specialists typically work in an office environment. They must be able to: + Use a computer, telephone, and other office equipment + Tolerate and be able to work where the noise level is that of a typical office + Encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday + Regularly sit, talk, or hear + Use repetitive hand motions + Handle objects and sustain a sense of touch + Stand, walk, reach, and bend + Lift up to 25 pounds + Field work involves infrequent travel to consumers in a variety of settings, homes, facilities, etc. of varying level of cleanliness and repair. It involves driving an Agency or personally-owned car + Field work could also require travel to other offices and going to events and setting up/tearing down a small display unit, carrying laptop computers and projectors, standing for a period of time and public speaking + Requires occasional evening and/or weekend work + Requires occasional evening and/or weekend work with a possibility of an overnight stay. Contact with the public in home or office environments may risk exposure to people with contagious diseases or irrational/hostile behavior and contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Classification: ADRC Specialist/OWN Position Number: 449 Salary Range: R18 (R19 for Bilingual) FLSA Status: Non-exempt Unit: OAA/ADRC Location: Varies Reports To:: OWN and/or ADRC Program Supervisors Union Status: Represented Last Revision Date: December 2024 This job description is a general guide for the job to be performed and does not cover everything. Employees may be required to perform other duties, including covering for, and in, other offices. Employees are expected to follow and perform other job-related duties requested by their manager. Reasonable accommodations will be made as needed. Job descriptions are subject to change. Keyword: Information and Assistance Specialist From: NorthWest Senior & Disability Services