Aging and Disability Resource Specialist

Area-Agency-On-Aging-; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

WA state PERS retirement

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Personal holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Job summary

Area Agency on Aging Southwest Washington seeks a dedicated Aging & Disability Resource Specialist to be the first point of contact for older adults and people with disabilities. You will provide accurate information, perform eligibility screenings, and help connect clients to services and benefits.

You will document interactions, engage with partners to coordinate care, and participate in outreach events to promote agency programs in Southwest Washington.

Qualifications

• Four years of paid, full-time experience in social, human, or customer service roles with info and navigation assistance, plus high school diploma.
• Three years plus bilingual/bicultural experience with high school diploma, or some equivalent combos.
• Two years with Associate’s degree equivalent.
• Two years of social service experience and a Bachelor’s degree.
• One year with Bachelor’s in social services/health sciences.
• Master’s degree in social services/health sciences suffices.

Responsibilities

• Provide information by phone, email, mail, and in-person to the public and partners about programs and resources for older adults and caregivers.
• Conduct eligibility screenings and follow up on referrals.
• Offer person-centered options counseling to link clients to services.
• Assist with completing applications for services/benefits (e.g., Medicaid LTSS, SNAP, Medicare Part D).
• Promote access to programs for those with greatest need.
• Document activities in databases and agency files; generate data reports.
• Coordinate with community partners to ensure care coordination.
• Deliver in-service education to partners; may require after-hours work.
• Conduct outreach at events and community presentations.

Skills

Phone communication

Information navigation

Documentation

Interviews

Crisis de-escalation

Resource knowledge

Teamwork

English communication

Translator services

Written communication

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s in social services or health sciences

Associate degree + experience

Master’s degree in related field

Tools

Word

Excel

Database systems

Job description

Description

• FLSA: Non-Exempt
• Reports to: ADRC Supervisor
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None
• Pay Grade: 18

SUMMARY

Aging & Disability Resource Specialists are part of a team that serves as the initial point of contact for services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and family caregivers. Their goal is to support community members who are seeking assistance for themselves or their loved ones. Staff in this position dedicate substantial time to phone and computer interactions, providing accurate and relevant information regarding available supports and resources. They conduct eligibility screenings, assist community members in accessing helpful resources, and facilitate connections to services that promote independence and enhance quality of life both at home and within the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides information by phone, email, mail, and in-person to the general public, healthcare providers and community-based organizations on programs and resources for older adults, adults with disabilities and family caregivers.
• Conducts eligibility screening for multiple programs; make and follow up on referrals as needed.
• Provides person-centered options counseling resulting in successful linkage to desired services and supports.
• Assists individuals to complete various applications for services and/or benefits (i.e. Medicaid Long-Term Care, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicare Part D)
• Promotes access to programs to those with the greatest economic and social need.
• Utilizes computer databases to provide information, assistance, and referral services and to document application, eligibility and authorization.
• Records information in computer databases and agency files; produces specialized data reports.
• Confers with community partners to assure coordination of care for clients.
• Provides in-service educational presentations to community partners; sometimes outside normal work hours.
• Conducts outreach to promote agency programs and services. Outreach activities include but are not limited to hosting resource tables at community events and presenting to small audiences.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT

• When attending community presentations and fairs, the employee travels by automobile and is exposed to changing weather conditions.
• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands or arms.
• The employee occasionally lifts or moves up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Four years of paid, full-time, on-the-job experience in social, human, or customer service roles involving the provision of information and navigation assistance to vulnerable populations, including children and families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, and a high school diploma or equivalent; OR
• Three years of paid, full-time, on-the-job experience in social, human, or customer service roles involving the provision of information and navigation assistance to vulnerable populations, including children and families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, a high school diploma or its equivalent, and are bilingual or bicultural with such experience; OR
• Two years of paid, full-time, on-the-job experience in social, human, or customer service roles involving the provision of information and navigation assistance to vulnerable populations, including children and families, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers, an Associate’s degree or it’s equivalent; OR
• Two years of paid, full-time, on-the-job social service experience and Bachelor’s degree; OR
• One year of paid, full-time, on-the-job social service experience and a bachelor’s degree in social services, behavioral or health sciences; OR
• Social service experience and a Master’s degree.
• AIRS credentialing is expected within the first two years of employment.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license, state required vehicle insurance, and reliable vehicle for work related travel.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Ability to simultaneously talk on the phone and type.
• Ability to research and propose solutions to a variety of problems presented by clients.
• Ability to document services, review and write on paper forms.
• Ability to interview clients and others in person and over the telephone to elicit information and obtain client information.
• Ability to de-escalate and provide support to callers in crisis.
• Knowledge of community resources for older adults, adults with disabilities and caregivers.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member with a wide range of diverse staff and community members and to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate verbally in the English language in face-to-face one-on-one settings, in group settings, by personal computer, or using a telephone.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients using translator or relay services.
• Ability to produce written documents with clearly organized thoughts using proper English sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Computer and software skills including Word, Excel and database systems; ability to operate general office equipment; work at a desk using phone and computer for up to eight hours a day.
• Ability to travel to community events and agencies in Southwest Washington which might not be ADA accessible.

Benefits include WA state PERS retirement, medical, dental and vision insurance, personal holidays, and generous sick and vacation leave.

• AAADSW is an Equal Opportunity Employer
• A criminal background check will be administered
• Revised: 05/13/2026

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

Additionally, AAADSW supports an inclusive environment for individuals with or without disabilities. Individuals who feel they may need reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of this position are encouraged to contact the Human Resources department for further assistance.