Program Coordinator I- Dementia Care Specialist- Trident Region

Program Coordinator I- Dementia Care Specialist- Trident Region

Salary

$50,000.00 - $55,000.00 Annually

Location

Charleston County, SC

Job Type

FTE - Full-Time

Job Number

191555

Agency

Department on Aging

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Agency Specific Application Procedures:

Apply at www.careers.sc.gov

Class Code:

AH35

Position Number:

61151707

Normal Work Schedule:

Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)

Pay Grade

GEN08

Hiring Range - Min.

$50,000.00

Hiring Range - Max.

$55,000.00

EEO Statement

Equal Opportunity Employer

Veteran Preference Statement

South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Responsibilities

The SC Department on Aging is seeking a dynamic individual to join our Caregiver and Alzheimers Resource Division as a Dementia Care Specialist in the Trident Region serving Charleston, Dorchester, and Berkley Counties. This position requires frequent travel within the regional areas, as well as monthly visits to the state office in Columbia. This position will be housed within the Trident Technical College in North Charleston. The candidate will advocate for individuals with Alzheimers or related dementia (ADRD) and their family caregivers, make presentations, complete reports, and lead community meetings to assess needs, provide solutions, and determine resources.

The person in this role will determine the needs of people living with ADRD and their family caregivers and recommend resources and networking solutions. Prepare reports on outstanding issues and advocate for initiatives that address immediate problems and provide insights to the community.

The Dementia Care Specialist (DCS) purpose is to support residents of South Carolina who suspect or have received a diagnosis of dementia and their family caregivers. Regional Dementia Care Specialists will accomplish this through community outreach, providing support for dementia-specific programming, education, and connecting families affected by dementia to local resources.

• Provide person-centered care consultations to families affected by dementia, connecting them with appropriate support services and care planning tools. Maintain a working knowledge of national, statewide, and community resources to help support those living with a dementia diagnosis and their family caregivers.
• Cultivate working relationships with regional community partners to provide opportunities to inform and support individuals living with dementia and their family caregivers. Promote the concepts of dementia-friendly communities in the service area.
• Obtain and maintain certification in pre-approved dementia-specific trainings through accredited programs. Deliver pre-approved, standardized dementia-specific community education with an emphasis on creative methods to reach rural, minority, and underserved communities with consideration given to libraries, faith-based communities, recreation centers, educational institutions, businesses, and medical offices. Provide outreach and education to professionals serving those impacted by dementia. Collect and report program data timely to contribute to the DCS program evaluation.
• Stay current on dementia topics, including research findings, new evidence-informed or evidence-based interventions, and innovations for people living with dementia and their family caregivers. Participate actively in DCS statewide and regional meetings and training courses to ensure a high-quality, consistent and sustainable statewide program. Assist colleagues by sharing experiences and resources while maintaining fidelity to the DCS Program.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A high school diploma and relevant program experience. This position will require the utilization of a personal vehicle for travel and will be reimbursed at the government rate. This position may be required to work extended hours outside of the normal scheduled work week. Upon hire, must complete and obtain Certified Dementia Practitioner training and become a Dementia Dialogues instructor within 3 months of hire; training provided by SCDOA and community partners; must be able to lift 10-15lbs.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications: three to five years of experience in the Alzheimers and Related Dementia (ADRD) field with extensive knowledge in ADRD; Direct experience working with persons with ADRD and their families; Experience in program development; both volunteer and professional experience will be considered. The ideal candidate must build and maintain effective working relationships, exercise judgment and discretion, and analyze needs/resources to create partnerships. Strong communication skills, public presentation skills, proficiency in Microsoft Suite, and awareness of new services and trends are essential.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department on Aging (SCDOA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer for all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, sex- including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, nation of origin, age, religion, or disability or genetic information.

The SC Department on Aging offers an exceptional benefits package for full-time (FTE) employees:

Health, Vision, Dental, Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance for employees, spouse, and children.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement and SC Deferred Compensation Program.

The SC Department on Aging is making our veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

01

Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted or reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. I have read and acknowledge the above statement.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have a high school diploma and relevant program experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Please explain your experience working in the Alzheimers and Dementia related field.

04

Please explain your experience in program development; both volunteer or professional experience will be considered.

05

The established hiring range for this position is $50,000 to $55,000. Do you accept this range?

• Yes
• No

06

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship from the Department on Aging for employment visa status?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of South Carolina

Agency Department on Aging Address 1301 Gervais Street Suite 350

Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

Phone 803-734-9900

The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.