Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman

About the role

On-site with a future option for hybrid.

Why It's a Great Opportunity: This position is focused on supervising the Regional Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman program to ensure volunteers are sufficiently trained, educated, and informed to be effective advocates within LTC communities. In performing this position, the candidate will excel in building meaningful relationships with volunteers, LTC residents, and their families. The Long-term Care Ombudsman program works with the resident (client that resides within the LTC facility) on self-empowerment, education, up-holding resident rights, and resident-directed interventions. This role will rely on experience in dispute resolution, conflict interventions, low-level problem-solving, and creativity in problem-solving.

Why It's a Great Department: Pierce County Human Services exists to ensure that every person in our community has the opportunity to live with dignity, stability, and hope. As the county’s community and human services department, we strengthen the local safety net by investing in programs that support people at every stage of life—from early childhood and youth development to housing stability, behavioral health, disability support, and services for seniors, veterans, immigrants, and refugees. Working alongside nearly 170 community-based organizations, local governments, and nonprofit partners, we respond to both urgent needs and long-term challenges with compassion, accountability, and collaboration. Whether helping families stay housed, supporting recovery and wellness, connecting people to food and transportation, or expanding access to opportunity, our work is grounded in the belief that strong communities are built when people are seen, supported, and empowered. Together with our partners, we are committed to creating an inclusive, responsive system of care that helps Pierce County residents not just survive—but thrive.

How to be successful in the role

In this role, the successful candidate will have strong facilitation skills required for community engagement and coordination efforts, as well as project planning skills necessary to develop/implement strategic plans responding to the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities living in Pierce County. The successful candidate will have the ability to work within a team and to build strong collaborative relationships with community partners to provide high-quality services and supports.

Your future in this role

A future career in Pierce County means joining an organization committed to your growth and success. Through our leadership classes, robust online learning, and a variety of training opportunities, Pierce County ensures continuous professional development throughout your journey. This dedication extends beyond individual advancement; it reflects a broader mission to foster inclusive communities, maintain safe infrastructure, and promote equitable access to opportunities. Here, careers don’t just thrive; they empower individuals to make meaningful contributions to a resilient, vibrant future for all.

Responsibilities

• Inform residents, their representatives, and others about their rights, and offer and provide services.
• Provide summary statistical and narrative reports per instructions from the State Ombuds; utilize computer systems to generate monthly and annual summary reports as required by the State Ombuds.
• Receive and carry out fact-finding; and resolve complaints relating to administrative action which adversely affect health, welfare and rights of residents of long-term care facilities within the region.
• Recruit, train and supervise volunteers to help carry out complaint fact-finding and resolution activities.
• Supervise and evaluate work of Certified Volunteers LTC Ombuds and staff.
• Provide technical assistance and supervision on visiting assigned facilities, complaint receipt and resolution, fact-finding, investigation, and utilization of a variety of approaches to complaint resolution (mediation, negotiation, etc.).

This announcement is not intended to reflect all duties to be performed by our next team member, but shall present a descriptive list of the range of duties that may be performed.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in health, nursing, social sciences, psychology, sociology, counseling, social work, or closely related field.
• At least 3 years of social service experience with at least 2 years in the field of aging or geriatric long-term care.
• One year of supervisory or lead experience required.
• At least 1 year of experience recruiting, training, and supervising volunteers required.
• Must be a resident of Pierce County, the region being served.

Additional education or experience may substitute for the recruiting requirements. A resume and cover letter are required for this position. Applications without a resume and cover letter will not be considered.

Related Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in management principles and techniques, including the management of volunteers.
• Demonstrated experience in training adults and public speaking.

Note: Must be free of conflicts of interest as defined in WAC 365-18 which interfere or have the appearance of interfering with the Long-Term Care Ombuds’ responsibilities. In particular, must not have been an employee in any capacity with a long-term care facility for one year prior to appointment. Must have no pecuniary interest in the provision of long-term care services.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain certification as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman as designated by the State Long-Term Care Ombuds.

Other Job Requirements:

• Must have the ability to travel throughout Pierce County.
• As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check. Information received from the background check is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.