Older Adult Resource Advocate (Multiple Openings)

To apply for this opportunity, submit a cover letter and résumé to Lynne@UnitedWayoftheWestShore.org.

Please submit materials by Friday, October 2nd.

United Way of the West Shore, serving Mason and Manistee Counties, has 2 FTE job openings for Older Adult Resource Advocates at the following locations:

•       Mason County, Michigan – Free Soil Senior Center, Ludington Senior Center, Scottville Center, and Talman Senior Center – 40 hours per week serving four senior centers.

•       Manistee County, Michigan – Manistee County Senior Center – 40 hours per week.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $42,000–$43,698 annually for full-time positions, depending on qualifications and experience.

   Benefits:

•     Paid Time Off

•       Paid holidays

•       Health benefit/QSEHRA (Qualified Small Employer Health Reimbursement Arrangement)

•       Life insurance

•       Short-term disability

•       SIMPLE IRA with employer match

Work Schedule: Salaried, exempt position.

The Older Adult Resource Advocate is an employee of United Way of the West Shore and will work on-site at their assigned senior center(s).

General Description

The Older Adult Resource Advocate supports older adults by connecting them with needed health care, behavioral health, and community support services. The Advocate works collaboratively with senior centers, community sites, senior service providers, and family members to identify barriers that may prevent older adults from aging safely and independently in their homes and coordinates resources to address those barriers.

The Older Adult Resource Advocate provides services to older adults residing in Mason or Manistee Counties.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1.      Meet regularly with senior center or community site administrators and employees.

2.      Coordinate and facilitate meetings to support collaboration among older adults, families, caregivers, and senior service providers.

3.      Assist senior centers and other community sites in identifying older adults who may benefit from health, behavioral health, or community support services.

4.      Identify, develop, and maintain relationships with community resources and service providers to address the needs of older adults.

5.      Advocate for older adults and their families in accessing appropriate services and support systems.

6.      Serve as a liaison between senior centers, community sites, and service providers to support appropriate access to services for older adults.

7.      Promote effective communication among older adults, family members, senior centers, and community service providers.

8.      Conduct home visits and outreach services as needed.

9.      Maintain accurate and timely documentation and required reports.

10.   Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess the education, experience, skills, and abilities necessary to effectively perform the essential duties of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Education and Experience

•       Bachelor’s degree in education, social work, human services, public health, or a related field preferred.

•       Three to five years of experience in education, health, human services, or a related field preferred.

•       Bilingual Spanish-speaking skills are a plus.

•       Working proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel required.

•       Familiarity with database software preferred.

Reasoning and Problem-Solving Skills

•       Ability to identify barriers that may prevent older adults from aging safely and independently and develop appropriate solutions when possible.

•       Ability to gather information, assess needs, establish facts, and draw appropriate conclusions.

•       Ability to identify and connect older adults and their families with appropriate community resources.

•       Ability to manage situations involving multiple needs, service providers, and competing priorities.

•       Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions within established guidelines.

•       Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with senior center, community, and United Way staff.

Communication Skills

•       Strong verbal and written communication skills.

•       Ability to prepare reports and correspondence clearly and professionally.

•       Ability to communicate effectively with older adults, family members, caregivers, service providers, and community partners.

•       Ability to listen effectively and establish trusting relationships with older adults and their families.

•       Ability to communicate effectively with individuals from diverse educational, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.

•       Ability to maintain positive and professional working relationships with a variety of partners.

Organizational Skills

•       Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks and responsibilities.

•       Ability to maintain accurate and timely records and documentation.

•       Ability to manage confidential information appropriately.

•       Ability to follow established procedures and meet reporting deadlines.

•       Ability to adapt to changing priorities and the needs of older adults.

Additional Skills and Abilities

•       Knowledge of health, behavioral health, and social service systems preferred.

•       Strong collaboration, organizational, and problem-solving skills.

•       Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with older adults, families, senior centers, and community partners.

•       Ability to work independently and take initiative.

•       Ability to maintain confidentiality.

•       Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

•       Positive attitude and ability to work effectively in a variety of environments.

•       Willingness to participate in occasional evening or weekend activities as needed.

•       Must possess a valid Michigan driver’s license, reliable transportation, and the ability to

travel between assigned senior centers and community locations as needed.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

•       Regularly required to communicate verbally and hear effectively.

•       Frequently required to sit and use hands to handle objects, materials, or office equipment.

•       Frequently required to sit, stand, and walk within senior center and community environments.

•       Occasionally required to bend, reach, climb stairs, or lift and carry materials weighing up to 25 pounds.

•       May be required to conduct home visits and travel to community locations.

•       Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

•       Must be able to travel between assigned senior centers and community locations in various weather conditions.