Community Health Worker

Why work with YWCA Seattle King Snohomish?

YWCA SKS is the region’s largest non‑profit organization with a 120+ year legacy, focused on the needs of women and serving 7,000 people each year. As a full‑time YWCA employee (30+ hours), you’ll enjoy a benefits package including medical insurance, generous vacation, holiday, sick leave plans, and an outstanding retirement plan.

The Edmonds New Start Center (EDNSC) is a new 24/7 Emergency Housing facility operated by the YWCA of Seattle, King, and Snohomish County, located in Edmonds, WA. The center provides safe, supportive housing for up to 45 individuals who are transitioning from homelessness to permanent housing. Clients have access to a range of on‑site services, including case management, life skills training, and connections to healthcare and employment resources.

The Community Health Worker I (CHW‑I) provides health education, health care advocacy, telehealth and health care system navigation, psycho‑social emotional support to unstably housed individuals virtually and/or in‑person at EDNSC, improving access to health services for this population. The CHW‑I also conducts focused community outreach, provides 1:1 health insurance enrollment through WA Health Plan Finder, and supports access to health appointments and behavioral health services.

Lived experience and demonstrated community involvement are highly desirable. This position will receive significant on‑job training and offers advancement opportunities with long‑term tenure.

• Assess health coverage, health care access history, and resource needs of program participants
• Provide referrals and coordination of medical, vision, dental, mental health care, and other social services that address the social determinants of health
• Advocate and educate participants about managed care, health insurance coverage and health care system utilization
• Troubleshoot with medical providers and billing departments at clinics and medical centers
• Facilitate WA Apple Health (Medicaid) and Qualified Health Plan enrollment and recertification through WAHealth Plan Finder
• Attend regular YWCA and occasional stakeholder meetings for training and service coordination
• Document all program participant casework according to best practice standards
• Meet regularly with supervisor and team for updates, collaboration, case management and review
• Incorporate the YWCA’s Race and Social Workplan by understanding how racism, sexism, classism, and other oppress ions intersect and are embedded in institutions
• Ensure that program participants, staff, volunteers, and community partners are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic background
• Provide psycho‑social emotional support to program participants as needed and necessary
• Maintain working knowledge of fire, safety and disaster plans related to emergency situations and conditions
• Understand and follow all policies in the Staff Handbook and other YWCA policies and procedures

At least one year of direct social service or health care related experience and at least one year of experience with low‑income and/or unhoused individuals/families. Lived experience and/or membership in communities the program supports is highly desirable. A bachelor’s degree in social services or a related field with at least two years of direct social service experience and a deep commitment to racial equity and social justice is an alternative path.

Demonstrated commitment to providing health education,, or health promotion to diverse or underserved communities, knowledge of domestic violence, mental health, substance use disorder, and case management are preferred. High level of organization and attention to detail, ability to communicate and collaborate across agencies, adapt to change, creative problem‑solving skills, basic computer literacy, and bilingual desired are required.

• Hourly Rate: $28.00
• Hours:
  
  40 hours per week
• Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, generous vacation, holiday, and sick leave plans
• Employees may enroll voluntarily in the Fidelity 403b Plan
• Af…