Wellness and Engagement Specialist

Position Open Date: 10/23/2025

Position Close Date: 11/06/2025

Interested in making a difference in your community while building a career? Join our team as a Wellness and Engagement Specialist!

WHO WE ARE:

For 60 years, Opportunity Council has worked throughout Northwest Washington to build just, equitable communities through service, investment, and collaboration. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. Part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, we are dedicated to helping people help each other and themselves—building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute.

OUR VALUES:

At Opportunity Council, our values guide everything we do. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for each other and for our community. We’re also committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into every part of our work—from the help we offer in the community to the kind of workplace we create for our staff.

To learn more about us and our work, visit our website: www.oppco.org

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

• Interacts with clients in respite program, maintaining a positive and supportive environment. Also, assists residents in the facility regarding nutritional needs and encourages healthy eating, as set forth by PSJMC Medical Provider and Discharge Staff, promotes cleanliness in all areas, and supports client agency for all self-serve food/beverage items.
• Attends to the milieu to ensure a restful and cooperative environment.
• Stays in regular communication with staff members of PSJMC to coordinate/discuss discharges to Waystation. This can include, but is not limited to pre-admission paperwork/needs/pre-set appointments for the client, etc. Works with Discharge Planners and other relevant staff at PSJMC to arrange for clients to go back to the hospital as warranted.
• Prepares rooms for visiting partner-providers to meet with clients of Waystation Medical Respite and sanitizes them after each appointment/use. Also, assists with turnovers in stay including routine cleaning and sterilization of client carousels and other common areas used by clients.
• Regularly reviews Needs Assessment (originally completed by PSJMC staff prior to discharge from PSJMC) and collaborates with client to agree upon activities during their course of stay that incorporates their medical care plan goals (set up at time of discharge from PSJMC).
• Assists in the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of on-site activities, as applicable. This can include but is not limited to promoting client hygiene, prompting clients to care for any assigned medical equipment as determined by client’s medical team, creating healthy habits that align with medical recommendations, low-impact exercise (I.e. taking small walks) as determined by client’s medical team, verbal medication prompting, and ensuring access to basic need supplies/information to promote success upon discharge from Waystation.
• Maintains safety and security by monitoring all general access areas, enforcing program guidelines, and client contracts both inside medical respite and at the designated smoking area for clients.
• Assists clients with medication prompting program, according to Waystation Policy and Procedure, and records all interactions and transactions according to guidelines while maximizing privacy. This may include reporting information into several systems to maintain accurate tracking.
• Intervenes in crises, responds to emergencies, and initiates action as required, including contact with emergency response systems. Accurately reports incidents to Waystation Coordinator in a timely manner.
• Works cooperatively with case managers and other program and partner staff and assists in the coordination of services to clients. Regularly follows up with partners to ensure continuum of care needs are met, and that client is actively engaged in all services offered.
• Processes and maintains required paperwork and documentation, including daily client activity logs. Maintains HIPAA compliant records, safeguarding clients’ information and working with community providers appropriately.
• Apply for and accept housing referrals, specialized counseling, employment, medical and mental health services, specialized transportation, and other needed services that promote wellness at Waystation and post client discharge from the Waystation Facility.
• Completes intakes and/or check ins to the Coordinated Entry System and provides resource referrals as necessary.
• Dietary and Environmental Services:
  • Maintains cleaning and sterilization duties during each shift, with an emphasis on weekly and monthly deep cleaning for kitchen area.
  • Ensures organization of kitchen and all supplies, timely ordering of food and other supplies related to the Waystation Kitchen.
  • Promptly and regularly records temperatures for pre-packaged meals delivered on-site to ensure food safety guidelines are met.
  • Ensures proper storage of cold foods/beverages, dried/preserved foods/beverages, appropriately labels items, and tracks inventory delivered/removed for food safety.
  • Completes inventory and tracking related to food stocking, food expiration dates, and monitoring of food temperatures.
  • Participates in cleaning of all common/food areas, restrooms, carousels, partner-provider areas, and completes other cleaning tasks as assigned. Including emptying and sanitizing garbage cans.
  • Regularly stocks paper products in common/food area and other areas of Waystation.
  • Works cooperatively with Waystation Team to ensure timely scheduled cleaning and sanitization of all bathrooms and client carousels when turning them over. This includes sweeping, moping, sanitizing handles/surfaces, and restocking products as needed.
  • Provides quality engagement to promote dignity and respect to everyone at Waystation.

• Attends staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Completes special projects and other related duties as assigned.
• Continuously abides by all safety policies and procedures at Waystation.
• Remains current with all available resources in Whatcom County.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Decision-making skills and ability to creatively problem solve using sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and respectfully provide confidential services to diverse, low- income populations, including individuals and families in crisis situations.
• Remains calm and respectful during client emergencies and crises, and possesses strong communication skills.
• Time management skills including the ability to work independently and prioritize with frequent interruptions.
• Record keeping skills ensuring the maintenance of up-to-date and accurate notes, and proper maintenance of client files, including the use of multiple databases.
• Experience coordinating with other professionals and social service agencies with proper Releases of Information (ROI) in place.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time, sit, frequent squatting, kneeling, bending, reaching, repetitive movements, writing/typing, and ability to lift/move >40 lbs.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Minimum two-years experience in Human Services, Home Care, Assisted Living, Adult Family Home, Skilled Nursing Facility, Medical Assistant Duties, or Homeless Shelter settings.
• Preferably experience with the challenges related to homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency preferred.
• Prior experience with comprehending and following hospital discharge orders/client needs preferred.
• If hiring for a bilingual position. Must be able to speak, read, and write with proficiency and fluency in the required language.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License by time of hire and good driving abstract (submitted upon request) with ability to maintain insurability through Opportunity Council’s insurance provider during length of employment.
• Have (or obtain at time of hire) and maintain current Washington Food Handler’s Permit during length of employment.
• Current First Aid card and CPR training (or obtain within 30 days) and must maintain current certificates for length of employment.
• Obtain a negative Tuberculosis (TB) test by time of hire.

We place a strong value in hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services.

OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

• Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal, holidays)
• Paid time off for wellness needs
• Employer-paid holidays
• Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
• HSA and FSA plans, subject to plan terms
• Eligibility for critical illness insurance coverage
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
• Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
• Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care and personal legal services

ABOUT WHATCOM COUNTY:

Working with Opportunity Council in Whatcom County is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, our community is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to positive change. Whether you're supporting local families, advocating for equity, or building programs that uplift our neighbors, you'll find purpose and connection here. Join us in building a stronger Whatcom County where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute

We believe our team should reflect the communities we serve. That’s why we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Opportunity Council is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not permit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital or family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic information, disability, use of a service animal, or any other status protected by law.