Wellness and Engagement Specialist Lead

Position Open Date: 06/04/2026

Position Close Date: Open until Filled 

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

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:

Waystation Medical Respite is an emergency respite shelter for individuals discharged directly from PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center who are experiencing homelessness and require a safe environment to recuperate prior to returning to their living situation. Services emphasize support for individuals with severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.

The Wellness Engagement Specialist Lead (WES Lead) supports daily program operations, client engagement, crisis response, and staff coordination to ensure safe, effective, and client-centered service delivery. The Lead provides direct client support, oversees shift operations, maintains strong communication with hospital and community partners, and ensures accurate documentation and compliance with medical discharge expectations.

Note: While core functions and responsibilities apply across all shifts, specific functions and responsibilities may vary depending on the assigned shift and operational needs of the facility.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Friday through Monday, 6:30am-5pm

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Hospital & Community Partner Coordination
  • Communicate regularly with PeaceHealth discharge planners and hospital staff.
  • Coordinate admissions, discharges, paperwork, and follow-up as needed.
  • Collaborate with case managers, partner agencies, and service providers.
  • Ensure continuity of care and client engagement with referred services.
• Program Operations & Facility Support
  • Assist with inventory tracking, food orders, and supply management as required.
  • Ensure vehicles, logs, and equipment are maintained for program use.
  • Prepare and sanitize rooms for partner providers and client appointments.
  • Support room turnover, cleaning, sterilization, and routine facility upkeep.
  • Maintain sanitation and food safety standards.
  • Participate in deep cleaning, restocking, and equipment resets as scheduled.
• Leadership, Coordination & Staff Support
  • Lead by example in professionalism, documentation, and client interactions.
  • Coordinate with leadership regarding staffing needs, call-offs, coverage, performance concerns, program/process implementations and task delegation.
  • Support staff with task delegation, intake preparation, and documentation standards.
  • Conduct check-ins with staff as appropriate to support performance and morale.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with Waystation leadership.
  • Communicate effectively with staff during shift transitions and pass-downs.
• Client Engagement & Care Support
  • Foster a respectful, calm, and supportive environment for clients.
  • Build rapport through consistent, quality engagement and goal-focused conversations.
  • Support client self-identified goals related to housing, health, budgeting, services, and discharge planning.
  • Encourage and support hygiene, nutrition, medical equipment care, low-impact activity, and healthy routines in alignment with medical recommendations.
  • Assist clients with medication prompting per policy, ensuring privacy and accurate documentation.
  • Support client appointments including telehealth, home health, specialty care, EMS, and external providers.
  • Review hospital discharge paperwork and needs assessments to ensure care aligns with medical plans.
• Safety, Security & Crisis Management
  • Monitor all common areas, enforce program guidelines, and support a safe milieu.
  • Respond to crises calmly and professionally; escalate concerns appropriately.
  • Monitor designated smoking areas and Shelter Protection Zones (SPZ).
  • Report incidents promptly through required verbal and written channels.
  • Maintain client and staff safety during all operations.
• Documentation & Compliance
  • Complete accurate, timely documentation in all required systems (e.g., Shift Notes, Salesforce, incident reports).
  • Ensure intake paperwork, calendars, medication records, and Coordinated Entry materials are complete and accurate.
  • Review records for accuracy and follow up on needed corrections.
  • Model strong documentation practices for staff.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Minimum two years’ experience in human services, medical respite, shelter, or related settings.
• Experience working with homelessness, mental health, and substance use preferred.
• Ability to understand and follow hospital discharge instructions.
• Required certifications: Food Handler’s Permit, First Aid/CPR, TB clearance
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and five-year driving history within Opportunity Council’s Auto Insurance Standards

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.