HSD Employee Spotlight—Selena Ortiz

Selena Ortiz is a Senior Counselor in Seattle Human Services Department's Aging and Disability Services division. She has worked at Seattle Human Services for 12 years.

What is your role at Seattle Human Services?

I am a Senior Counselor with HSD Aging and Disability Services Care Coordination Program. I work with the Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) Team, providing support to the Team's Supervisors and Case Managers that are uniquely embedded in Seattle Housing Authority buildings.

What made you want to work in human services?

My education is in Psychology. I graduated from San Diego State in California and worked with San Diego County's long-term care program with a caseload of Spanish-speaking elders, as well as children and adults with differing abilities, with in-home care services. We visited people at their homes, and I really enjoyed working right in the community and being an advocate to help navigate and access complicated government systems. When I moved to Washington state, I wanted to continue that work. Working at HSD aligned with my spirit to serve people and the community I live in now.

How has your job changed in recent years?

My job has changed most notably with the recent pandemic and how it affected the residents we serve in SHA housing buildings. It was clear over time that the isolation residents experienced caused increased behavioral and medical health needs at the same time they were losing access to that support. With limited technology access, they couldn't participate in tele-health. The SHA Team worked on ways to connect residents to technology and vital health care.

What do you love about your job?

I love the SHA Team's collaboration, teamwork, support, and wealth of knowledge from new team members and seasoned team members. A part of that collaboration is working with other community partners such as Full Life Care and Sound Behavioral Health to support SHA residents. I also enjoy visiting our clients and learning about their lives and how I can be an advocate for them on their journey.

How do you contribute to HSD's overarching goals related to racial equity?

I identify as a Latina woman, and I truly appreciate the City of Seattle and HSD's goals for race and social justice and valuable workshops like Undoing Institutional Racism. Part of my inner work is dealing with internalized racial inferiority and understanding my power as a City worker. I work on undoing gatekeeping and networking with my peers to make collective change for my department and the community.

What motivates you or keeps you going?

Simply put, people. My family, my friends, my colleagues, and our community members. I love to be in nature, on the water especially. Food and music are major players in my culture, too!

What's one piece of advice for HSD newcomers or recent graduates in your field?

Social work is difficult at times, but getting to know people and their rich histories has been a joy for me. I have met so many interesting folx that have impacted me along the way, and I hope that I have also impacted them in some small positive way.

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