Community Needs Specialist

Position Summary:

The Community Needs Specialist will be responsible for conducting in-home needs assessments for area seniors and disabled throughout Catholic Charities service areas in designated Counties in Central Washington. This position will work collaboratively with all Catholic Charities Senior Services programs and other agency services to ensure wrap-around services are provided.

Responsibilities:

Deliver quality direct services within one or more Senior Service Program

• Complete client intakes and conduct in-home client assessments throughout Central WA as appropriate to ensure client meets priority population for services within the designated program
• Develop and implement group projects on-site in collaboration with Senior Services Specialists
• Ensure volunteers accurately complete log for hours of services and mileage if appropriate
• Maintain confidentiality according to program and professional standards
• Maintain continued quality improvement to increase service delivery and ensure client needs are met

Provide leadership for volunteer group projects with local communities

• Lead volunteer teams, particularly focusing on ramp building, yard clean up and weatherizing projects (including wood provision and distribution), while ensuring efficient coordination and project completion
• Organize and manage ramp project inspections, including purchasing, payment, and transportation of materials required for ramp construction

Work collaboratively with the Volunteer Recruitment Specialist to engage volunteer groups; oversee volunteer groups with appropriate permitting and compliance

• Assist in recruiting and supervise diverse volunteer groups such as school groups, clubs, businesses, and other community partners for volunteer projects. Act as the lead for these projects, providing training, overseeing tasks, and ensuring proper documentation.
• Oversee large yard clean-up projects, including the ability to operate a truck with a trailer to transport waste materials to disposal sites
• Knowledgeable about ADA compliance regulations and county-specific building rules for ramp construction and obtaining necessary permits

Complete documentation and data collection on all services provided

• Maintain accurate and appropriate records on clients, volunteers, and services provided according to grant and program requirements
• Submit personal timesheet, expense requests, and reports in a timely manner
• Monitor volunteer group/client matches to ensure service was provided as requested
• Provide Grant and Data Specialist information on volunteer hours required for billing

Participate in supervision and team meetings

• Participate in supervision of the Senior Services Lead
• Participate in Senior Services meetings
• Participate in an annual performance evaluation according to the agency guidelines and set goals for individual and team performance

Perform other duties as assigned

Job Requirements:

The following requirements are those that are normally required for performance of this position. Any disabled applicant or incumbent who does not meet one or more of the requirements, but who can perform the essential function of the job (with or without reasonable accommodations) shall be deemed to meet these requirements.

Physical Requirements:

This position normally requires the physical demands of standing, walking, bending, lifting or performing other work requiring medium physical exertion, talking and hearing and adequate vision on a regular basis to perform the job requirements. These physical demands are required up to 60% of the time.

Non-physical Requirements:

Education

• High School Diploma, Required

Experience

• Knowledge of small equipment/ yard tools repair and maintenance
• Prior experience in community outreach, volunteer recruitment, or related fields

Special Skills

• Ability to operate agency vehicle and equipment needed for ramp building, cleanup and other jobs
• Empathy and effective interaction with individuals within the target demographic that include seniors and homebound disabled adults
• High level of motivation, independence, and adaptability
• Ability to travel within Central Washington Counties with a flexible schedule to accommodate volunteer groups
• Proficiency in basic computer applications, including Microsoft Office
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred, but not required

Licensure, Registration, Certification

• Valid Washington State driver's license and minimum required liability insurance for WA State
• Must be deemed insurable as determined by Catholic Charities' liability insurance providers

Employment is conditional upon:

• Being cleared by criminal background check and fingerprinting when required

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

Wage Range:$24 - $29 per hour, depending on experience

Benefits:

• 13 paid holidays, 12 days of vacation, 12 days of sick leave per year
• Health insurance including medical & prescription coverage, with optional dental and vision insurance plans. Majority of premiums paid by Catholic Charities
• Retirement 403(b) Plan: employee contributions commence upon employment; Catholic Charities contributes 2% of monthly income and matches up to 4% of employee contributions following 6 months of employment
• Basic Life Insurance paid 100% by Catholic Charities
• Flexible Spending Account eligibility following 6 months of employment
• Education Assistance Program reimbursing up to $5,250 per year for approved continuing education after 6 months of employment
• Additional voluntary insurances including supplemental life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D), critical illness, long term disability, accident, and ID theft
• Employee Assistance Program includes 3 counseling sessions per year, legal consultations, financial coaching, and other wellbeing tools
• Annual longevity awards begin at 5 years of employment

It is the practice of Catholic Charities to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, citizenship status, marital status, creed, genetic predisposition or carrier status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Applicants from underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply. We gladly offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities to support participation in the hiring process and employment.