San Juan County (WA)
Senior Services Specialist - Orcas
San Juan County (WA), Eastsound, Washington, United States, 98245
Senior Services Specialist – San Juan County (Orcas Island)
San Juan County is excited to invite candidates to apply for our Senior Services Specialist position on Orcas Island. First screening of applications will be on
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 . To be considered with this first group, we highly encourage you to submit your application before this date.
Serves as a resource and major focal point in the community and at the Senior Centers for services, activities, and issues affecting older people, including grant funded activities (currently: Information and Assistance, Nutrition Program, Volunteer Services, and Family Caregiver Support). Provides information on the services, products, and/or resources available to clients and their families through social service agencies, medical providers, and community partners in the aging network. Collaborates with applicable nonprofit boards to meet the client needs. Screens clients for services, makes referrals to the appropriate resource(s) and provide general assistance to clients and their families. Work is performed under the Human Services Manager and the general direction of the Health & Community Services Director.
Provides and coordinates dissemination of information, assistance and referrals to the senior community, their caregivers and informal supports, and gatekeepers. Maintains comprehensive resource files at their primary Senior Center location.
Writes and distributes monthly newsletters.
Recruits, trains, schedules, and directs work of volunteers (~100) in all aspects of Senior Services.
Supports daily senior activities and special events, with emphasis on developing and implementing therapeutic activities for seniors. Coordinates Senior Services sponsored programs.
When needed, acts as case aide for General Case Coordination clients under the supervision of Human Services Manager and in collaboration with Aging & Family Case Coordinators county-wide. This may include client home visits and visits to assisted living facilities. Refers clients to Aging & Family Case Coordinator for further assessment and service plan development. In emergency situations, may be responsible for appropriate reporting and referral to Adult Protective Services (APS) and Mental Health Crisis Line, Emergency Services, and Sheriff’s Office as indicated.
Responsible for the collection of nutrition donations and nutrition deposits; may train volunteers to assist with this.
Assists Whatcom Council on Aging Nutrition Director with the recruiting of site kitchen staff (cook & assistants). Ensures smooth and efficient functioning of nutrition program and provides suggestions for the enhancement of both congregate meals and home delivered meals.
Responsible for Nutrition Assessment for Home Delivered Meal Program, under the supervision of the Human Services Manager.
Responsible for program reporting on Information and Assistance, Nutrition, and Volunteers, as required, including use of GetCare/CLC.
Facilitate and teach a variety of classes, workshops, and support groups, including and not limited to “Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class”, “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program” classes, and a variety of health and wellness program classes.
Performs other duties as assigned, including inter-island assignments and coverage.
Identify opportunities and recommend changes to innovate and improve policies, practices, and processes.
Attend necessary job-related training to keep skills current and maintain certification.
Acting within the scope of their responsibilities, work as a public employee and municipal officer with courtesy and professionalism, adhering to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with RCW 42.52.
Perform other related duties as assigned, including inter-island assignments and coverage.
Equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Valid Washington State Driver’s License. Must be able to pass the AIRS (Alliance of Information and Referral Systems) certification test within two years of employment.
Preferred Qualifications Associate degree in social work or relevant field (bachelor’s degree preferred); two years of progressively responsible administrative/social service support work specifically dealing with the elderly and their unique situations, and experience providing direct human services.
Requires visual acuity to read written materials and assess clients’ general condition and for close work such as sustained computer use.
Requires hearing acuity for speech discrimination frequently in large groups.
Position requires mental ability to build support systems to deal with deterioration, and frequent death of clients.
Must be able to drive a motor vehicle, including County vehicles.
May be required to physically assist client ambulation, vehicle access and egress for disabled clients.
Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.
Must be able to work independently.
Working Conditions Work is performed primarily in office setting. Field visits are required to program providers and home settings. Required to cover other Islands in the capacity of Senior Services Specialist as needed.
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Wednesday, January 21st, 2026 . To be considered with this first group, we highly encourage you to submit your application before this date.
Serves as a resource and major focal point in the community and at the Senior Centers for services, activities, and issues affecting older people, including grant funded activities (currently: Information and Assistance, Nutrition Program, Volunteer Services, and Family Caregiver Support). Provides information on the services, products, and/or resources available to clients and their families through social service agencies, medical providers, and community partners in the aging network. Collaborates with applicable nonprofit boards to meet the client needs. Screens clients for services, makes referrals to the appropriate resource(s) and provide general assistance to clients and their families. Work is performed under the Human Services Manager and the general direction of the Health & Community Services Director.
Provides and coordinates dissemination of information, assistance and referrals to the senior community, their caregivers and informal supports, and gatekeepers. Maintains comprehensive resource files at their primary Senior Center location.
Writes and distributes monthly newsletters.
Recruits, trains, schedules, and directs work of volunteers (~100) in all aspects of Senior Services.
Supports daily senior activities and special events, with emphasis on developing and implementing therapeutic activities for seniors. Coordinates Senior Services sponsored programs.
When needed, acts as case aide for General Case Coordination clients under the supervision of Human Services Manager and in collaboration with Aging & Family Case Coordinators county-wide. This may include client home visits and visits to assisted living facilities. Refers clients to Aging & Family Case Coordinator for further assessment and service plan development. In emergency situations, may be responsible for appropriate reporting and referral to Adult Protective Services (APS) and Mental Health Crisis Line, Emergency Services, and Sheriff’s Office as indicated.
Responsible for the collection of nutrition donations and nutrition deposits; may train volunteers to assist with this.
Assists Whatcom Council on Aging Nutrition Director with the recruiting of site kitchen staff (cook & assistants). Ensures smooth and efficient functioning of nutrition program and provides suggestions for the enhancement of both congregate meals and home delivered meals.
Responsible for Nutrition Assessment for Home Delivered Meal Program, under the supervision of the Human Services Manager.
Responsible for program reporting on Information and Assistance, Nutrition, and Volunteers, as required, including use of GetCare/CLC.
Facilitate and teach a variety of classes, workshops, and support groups, including and not limited to “Powerful Tools for Caregivers Class”, “Chronic Disease Self-Management Program” classes, and a variety of health and wellness program classes.
Performs other duties as assigned, including inter-island assignments and coverage.
Identify opportunities and recommend changes to innovate and improve policies, practices, and processes.
Attend necessary job-related training to keep skills current and maintain certification.
Acting within the scope of their responsibilities, work as a public employee and municipal officer with courtesy and professionalism, adhering to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with RCW 42.52.
Perform other related duties as assigned, including inter-island assignments and coverage.
Equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the job. Valid Washington State Driver’s License. Must be able to pass the AIRS (Alliance of Information and Referral Systems) certification test within two years of employment.
Preferred Qualifications Associate degree in social work or relevant field (bachelor’s degree preferred); two years of progressively responsible administrative/social service support work specifically dealing with the elderly and their unique situations, and experience providing direct human services.
Requires visual acuity to read written materials and assess clients’ general condition and for close work such as sustained computer use.
Requires hearing acuity for speech discrimination frequently in large groups.
Position requires mental ability to build support systems to deal with deterioration, and frequent death of clients.
Must be able to drive a motor vehicle, including County vehicles.
May be required to physically assist client ambulation, vehicle access and egress for disabled clients.
Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds.
Must be able to work independently.
Working Conditions Work is performed primarily in office setting. Field visits are required to program providers and home settings. Required to cover other Islands in the capacity of Senior Services Specialist as needed.
#J-18808-Ljbffr