Opal Engagement Specialist

Description

Job Title – Elder Pride Services Opal Engagement Specialist

FLSA Classification – non-exempt 

Salary Grade - $24.50 per hour 20 hours per week  

Benefits -Paid time off and sick prorated by FTE. 403b with a 4% match after 90 days of employment, medical dental vision, 11.5 Holidays. Discounts on preschool. EAP program  

Report to – Director of Community Services 

Work environment – 12691 NW Dogwood, Portland, Oregon 97229. Regular brief visits and occasional required meetings offsite, most frequently at 1737 NW 26th Ave, Portland, Oregon 97210

Schedule – Monday to Friday between 10AM and 6PM. Schedule may be 4 days, 5 hours per day or 5 days, 4 hours per day. Occasional weekend and evening hours as required. 

Supervision – None 

This position is union-eligible and is represented by ILWU Local 5.

Elder Pride Services Opal Engagement Specialist  

 Job Overview 

This position will work collaboratively with other staff, volunteers, community partners, and funders, with the overarching goal of improving the lives of aging LGBTQ+ people. The Engagement Specialist for Elder Pride Services (EPS) at The Opal works both independently and collaboratively to enhance community engagement and enrichment for residents of The Opal through creative, engaging, and varied activities and programming.   

The engagement services focus on helping residents stabilize their housing, improve their health, and reduce feelings of isolation through intentional community building.  

Responsibilities and Duties  

Key Responsibilities:  

• Plan, coordinate, and execute a vibrant calendar of culturally appropriate activities that support residents’ physical, emotional, social, and cognitive wellness. Accommodate the interests and needs of residents in planning activities. 
• Communicate with residents regarding activities and events, including creating and posting flyers
• Seek out opportunities and resources to elevate the program—volunteers, entertainers, community groups, and more.  
• Successfully engage residents in building community at the Opal, and connecting with the broader Friendly House and LGBTQ+ older adult communities. Provide a resident-centered approach to activities and community-building that promotes independence and autonomy.   
• Assist with planning and hosting special events in partnership with EPS staff, property management, and community partners.   
• Think outside the box, overcome obstacles, and inspire participation (even from those hesitant at first).  
• Collaborate with Opal Resident Services Coordinator to ensure residents’ understanding of staff roles and responsibilities, support residents in connecting with appropriate staff as needed.
• Collaborate with EPS team on creation of monthly newsletter.

 General Responsibilities

• Track and report on attendance and other metrics. 
• Ensure common areas are clean and orderly upon completing activities, programs and resident events.  
• Develop positive relationships and work collaboratively with Elder Pride Services team members, Friendly House staff, Property Management, and community partners to enrich and support residents.   
• Actively participate in Friendly House All Staff, EPS Team meetings, and at least one FH staff committee.   
• Positively promote and encourage a supportive culture reflective of Friendly House’s values, mission, and history.   
• Perform other duties as assigned.   
• Report any alleged or perceived abuse or neglect of an older adult to Adult Protective Services (APS).

Qualifications and Requirements 

• Associate’s degree in social services, gerontology, recreation or related field OR two years of experience in activities planning and coordination, preferably working with older adults or LGBTQ+ people, OR a combination of education and experience. 
• Ability to approach different people and situations culturally appropriately, including effective communication with people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.  
• Knowledge of best practices and/or lived experience in the LGBTQ+ and/or aging community. 
• Excellent communication skills including active listening, verbal and written communication, and interpersonal skills.  
• Strong planning and organizational skills. 
• Dependable, reliable and punctual.  
• Computer literate with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and virtual meeting platforms, ideally including Canva and Publisher
• Demonstrated use of professional judgement while providing services to vulnerable diverse populations.
• Understand the importance and need to establish boundaries and can clearly communicate and uphold boundaries.   
• Ability to work collaboratively with residents, Friendly House staff, and partner agency staff, and to treat everyone with respect and dignity.  
• Self-Starter: Takes initiative, can start tasks independently, and demonstrates critical thinking skills.   
• Flexibility to adapt services and programing to meet resident and organizational needs.  

Physical Demands

• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell.
• The employee may be required to sit for extended periods of time.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. 

Additional Eligibility Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States 
• Must successfully complete a background check.

Affirmation Action/EEO Statement

It is the policy of Friendly House to treat all people with dignity and respect. The agency prohibits discrimination based upon race, sex, religion, color, gender identity, age, national origin, marital or familial status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, citizenship status, military service, veteran status, housing status, source of income, political affiliation, union affiliation, physical or mental disability or other protected status in accordance with applicable law. In addition, we shall not discriminate against minority-owned, women-owned or emerging small business.

Other duties

This job description does not reflect all the duties and responsibilities of the position.