Department: Community Health
Reports to: Director of Programs
Location: NE Portland, with regular community-based work throughout Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties
Status: Full-time, hourly
Pay Range: $27–$29 per hour
Make a Difference Where Health, Connection, and Community Meet
The Community for Positive Aging (CfPA) is looking for a bilingual Community Health & Support Specialist to help older adults and low-income adults navigate health and social service systems, strengthen their connections to community, and build the support they need to thrive. This position combines community health education and outreach with individualized, time-limited support for people navigating critical life transitions.
Approximately 60-65% of the role focuses on community health, wellness, outreach, and resource navigation. The remaining 35-40% is dedicated to Critical Time Intervention (CTI), an evidence-based approach that helps people navigate periods of transition, establish connections to essential services, and build sustainable networks of support.
This is a hands-on, relationship-driven role for someone who can move comfortably between community programming and individualized support—someone who listens well, follows through, navigates complex systems, and understands that meaningful change often begins with trust.
At CfPA, you will work alongside a collaborative team committed to advancing health equity, reducing barriers to services, and helping older adults remain connected, supported, and independent.
What You'll Do
1. Community Health & Wellness — Approximately 60-65%
Help seniors and low-income older adults access information, services, and community connections that support their health, independence, and well-being.
Plan and deliver community health education, wellness activities, peer wellness circles, workshops, vaccination clinics, and other health-related events.
Provide one-to-one resource navigation and practical support to help older adults overcome barriers related to language, access, isolation, and navigating complex systems.
Develop and share accessible, multilingual educational materials and resources related to health education, tobacco prevention, emergency preparedness, and other community health priorities.
Connect participants with resources addressing social determinants of health, including food insecurity, housing instability, healthcare access, stress, and social isolation.
Promote health, safety, and resilience through community education on emergency preparedness, smoke-free environments, and continuity of services during disruptions.
Build relationships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and service partners to strengthen access to resources and improve coordination.
Listen to participants, identify emerging community needs, and share insights that help CfPA improve its programs and services.
2. Critical Time Intervention (CTI) — Approximately 35-40%
Provide focused, time-limited support to older adults experiencing critical transitions, helping them establish stability and build lasting connections to the services and people who can support them beyond the intervention period.
Build trusting relationships with participants and work collaboratively to identify their priorities, strengths, needs, and goals.
Develop individualized transition and support plans that reflect each participant's circumstances, preferences, and desired outcomes.
Coordinate connections to healthcare, housing, behavioral health, benefits, and other community services, as relevant to individual needs.
Help participants navigate complex service systems, overcome barriers, and establish relationships with providers and community supports.
Strengthen participants' natural support networks, including trusted family members, friends, peers, and other community connections when appropriate and desired by the participant.
Coordinate with CfPA case managers, housing staff, healthcare providers, and community partners to support continuity of care and reduce gaps in services.
Maintain timely, accurate documentation of participant goals, contacts, progress, referrals, and transition plans in accordance with program requirements.
Support planned transitions from intensive, time-limited intervention to sustainable community-based services and ongoing sources of support.
Participate in CTI-specific training, supervision, consultation, and program evaluation as required.
3. Cross-Program Collaboration & Community Engagement
CfPA's work is interconnected. This position helps ensure older adults can access the full range of support available through our organization and community partnerships.
Work across programs to coordinate services and connect participants with relevant CfPA resources, including case management, housing support, caregiver resources, food access, and other services.
Communicate and coordinate with colleagues to support continuity of care, appropriate referrals, and a responsive participant experience.
Represent CfPA at community events, partner meetings, outreach activities, and educational opportunities.
Support organizational events and shared initiatives as appropriate to the role and the needs of the organization.
Contribute ideas and participant feedback that strengthen service delivery, community partnerships, and health equity efforts.
4. Person-Centered & Trauma-Informed Practice
Approach each participant with compassion, cultural humility, curiosity, and respect for their autonomy, lived experience, and individual goals.
Recognize how trauma, discrimination, poverty, disability, language barriers, and other systemic factors can affect access to services and well-being.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and protect confidential participant information in accordance with CfPA policies and applicable requirements.
Exercise sound judgment when responding to complex situations, seek consultation when needed, and communicate concerns appropriately.
Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for participants, colleagues, volunteers, and community partners.
What You'll Bring
We recognize that people develop relevant skills through many paths. We welcome candidates whose combination of education, professional experience, and lived experience prepares them to do this work effectively.
Required qualifications and skills
Bilingual communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with participants and community partners across language and cultural differences.
Experience working with older adults and/or communities experiencing barriers to healthcare, housing, social services, or other essential resources.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build trust, listen deeply, and establish respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
Knowledge of community resources, public health, social determinants of health, and the systems that affect older adults' well-being.
Strong organizational skills, including the ability to coordinate multiple priorities, maintain accurate documentation, and follow through on commitments.
Clear communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, service providers, and community partners.
Sound judgment, initiative, adaptability, and the ability to navigate complex situations while recognizing when consultation or additional support is needed.
Commitment to health equity, cultural humility, trauma-informed practice, and the dignity and autonomy of older adults.
Valid driver's license, proof of insurance, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel throughout Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington Counties.
Preferred qualifications
Community Health Worker certification or willingness to obtain certification, as appropriate to program requirements.
Experience in case management, care coordination, resource navigation, or supporting people through significant life transitions.
Familiarity with Critical Time Intervention (CTI), housing stability services, healthcare navigation, or coordinated community-based support.
Experience planning community programs, facilitating educational activities, or developing culturally and linguistically accessible resources.
Additional language skills or lived experience that strengthen connections with the communities CfPA serves.
Any combination of education, work experience, and lived experience will be considered.
Our Professional Community
At CfPA, every staff member contributes to the well-being of our organization and the older adults and communities we serve. Our work is interconnected, and we rely on one another to provide responsive, respectful, and coordinated support.
We value collaboration, accountability, cultural humility, flexibility, and a willingness to learn from the experiences and perspectives of others. Staff members are expected to build respectful relationships with colleagues, participants, volunteers, and community partners; uphold CfPA's mission, values, and policies; and contribute to an inclusive and supportive workplace.
Employees participate in relevant staff meetings, training, and organizational initiatives; maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality; and contribute to shared activities and emerging needs in ways that are appropriate to their responsibilities and capacity.
Why Join Community for Positive Aging?
Since 1973, CfPA has helped build a healthier, more inclusive, and connected Portland for adults 55+ through educational and recreational programming, support services, and care.
We know that aging well requires more than access to individual services. It requires relationships, opportunities for connection, responsive support, and a community that looks out for one another. Our work extends beyond the walls of our community center and into the neighborhoods where older adults live, gather, and seek support.
As part of our team, you will help older adults access care, navigate challenging transitions, strengthen their support networks, and remain connected to their communities. You will also help shape community health initiatives that respond to real needs and advance a more equitable, resilient future for older adults.
If you believe that everyone deserves to feel supported, respected, and connected—and you bring the compassion, initiative, and practical skills to help make that possible—we would love to hear from you.
Notice of Non-Discrimination
Community for Positive Aging is committed to treating all people with dignity and respect. CfPA prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, creed, color, gender identity, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender expression, citizenship status, military service, veteran status, housing status, familial status, source of income, political affiliation, union affiliation, physical disability, mental disability, or other protected status in accordance with applicable law.
