Emergency Assistance Specialist

Northwest Human Services is a non‑profit leader in providing advocacy, quality healthcare and social services in Marion and Polk counties since 1970. We are a mission focused organization providing compassionate and professional medical, dental, psychiatry, mental health, and wraparound services for those in our community who need it most – uninsured individuals, families, the homeless, and migrant workers. As a Community Health Center we value a culture of equity, diverse perspectives, and life experiences.

Our organization embraces innovation, collaboration, and work‑life harmony.

Location:

West Salem Clinic | 1122 Edgewater St. NW, Salem OR 97304

Job Status:
Full‑time

Hours:

Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm

Northwest Human Services (NWHS) is seeking a compassionate and detail‑oriented Emergency Assistance Specialist to support individuals and families facing urgent financial and social needs.

As part of the Crisis & Information Hotline team, this role reviews requests for emergency rent, utility, mortgage, and medication assistance, determines eligibility, and connects community members to critical resources and support services.

This position plays a key role in advancing NWHS’s mission by providing trauma‑informed, client‑centered support to a diverse population while ensuring compliance with funding and regulatory requirements.

• Review assigned emergency financial screenings, determine financial eligibility.
• Maintains knowledge of funder eligibility requirements, agency finance policies and Crises Hotline financial procedures.
• Collect and verify documentation (income, housing, identification, etc.)
• Maintains working knowledge of tenant rights and housing discrimination laws and uses that knowledge to educate and advocate for clients who are facing eviction.
• Identifies caller concerns and provides appropriate supportive services to meet the household’s immediate needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in social work, psychology, or a behavioral sciences field, plus a minimum of one‑year experience working in healthcare or social services setting, strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, or a related business field, plus a minimum of one‑year relevant work experience.
• Ability to use creative problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Effective communication skills and professional writing abilities.
• Must complete basic crisis intervention training before providing direct client services.
• Must pass approval for a US Bank Single Point account.
• Knowledge of Quick Books and US Bank Single Point systems, preferred.

• Healthcare insurance plans:
  Medical, Dental, Vision
• Group Life:
  Short-Term & Long-Term Disability 100% paid by employer
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% of employer contribution and up to 3% employer match
• Flex Spending Account
• PTO – 10 hours a month for FT positions 40 hrs./wk. up to 20 hours monthly as your tenure grows
• 7.5 Paid Holidays a year + 2 paid floating holidays for full-time positions
• Continuing Education & Training Benefits
• Employee Healthy Living Program – Gym Membership & Smoking Cessation

All candidates who receive a written offer of employment will be required to undergo a criminal records check.

Equal Opportunity Employer | We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.