Community Resource Advocate II - Utility Assistance, Bilingual Required - Community Action Organization
Hillsboro, OR
About the Job
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Position Title: | Community Resource Advocate II | Department: | Utility Assistance | ||||||||
Open Date: | June 23, 2022 | Reports to: | Community Rresource Advocate Supervisor | ||||||||
Close Date: | July 23, 2022 | Work Location: | 1001 SW Baseline, Hillsboro, OR | ||||||||
Hiring Range:* | $18.65 - $23.74 Hourly | FLSA Status: | Non-Exempt | ||||||||
Position Status: | Regular Full Time (RFT) | Benefit Status: | Eligible for Benefits | ||||||||
Work Hours Per Week: | 40 | Number of Positions: | 1 | ||||||||
Months Active: | All | Positions Supervised: | 0 | ||||||||
Under Oregon statute, after July 1, 1996, an offer of employment for this position is contingent upon the results of criminal offender information record check, and possibly fingerprinting, conducted on applicants for employment in early childhood services agencies. Applicants who have been convicted of certain offenses or who refuse to consent to such background checks will not be hired for this position. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position. Continuation of all positions is contingent upon future funding.
Notice, this position requires you to be bilingual in English and Spanish, both verbal and written.
*Note on Hiring Range:
For applicants with extensive qualifications and/or years of experience, the new hire maximum rate may be exceeded with the approval of the Director of Human Resources and the Executive Director. If approval is granted, it will be based upon careful review of the applicant's qualifications, experience, internal equity and budgetary considerations. The final rate approved will typically never be at a rate equal to or above the established midpoint of the pay range for the position.
Benefits: All regular full-time (RFT) status positions of 20 hours per week or more year round or part year of .50 FTE or higher are eligible for our outstanding benefits package including:
- Individual Medical with premium covered at 90%
- Free Dental insurance for the employee
- Employer matched retiremet dollar for dollar for the first 3%
- Generous paid sick and vacation time
- 13 paid 0bserved holidays
- Free life and long term disability insurance
- Medex travel assistance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Rich and diverse mission-based working environment
Position Summary:
In support of the Agency's mission, this position is responsible for equitable allocation of utility assistance resources to best meet the needs of each applicant. This involves screening clients for eligibility, gathering required documentation, and providing direct assistance from a variety of funds in adherence with all funding guidelines. This position must accurately enter information into statewide client databases and provide additional referrals as needed. This position requires the ability to accurately evaluate clients' situations and make decisions about which combination of funds best applies to their needs and provides the most assistance possible. Duties also include establishing collaborative relationships with utility companies and clients while achieving positive results with diverse populations.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Conduct phone-based or face-to-face interviews with low-income households that live in Washington County.
- Screen households for eligibility to participate in Utility Assistance programs and schedule appointments as appropriate.
- Determine eligibility and process payments for a variety of programs in accordance with policies/procedures and navigate various complex funding sources, such as LIHEAP, LIHWA, OEAP, OREF, and others.
- Negotiate with utility companies and other fuel providers to prevent disconnects, restore service, or guarantee bulk fuel delivery.
- Accurately enter information into statewide client database in order to capture required statistical information as well as generate authorized payments.
- Maintain real-time, accurate, complete and confidential records including client identification documents, billing records, and income eligibility documents. Submit and prepare reports as required.
- Collect and enter information (including required client documentation) into multiple systems of record or databases as needed with a high degree of accuracy.
- As appropriate, provide resource information on energy conservation, utility policy, payment plans and other community resources as needed.
- Engage in outreach activities to educate and share client service with low-income households. Participate in application and program enrollment events as needed.
- Consistently maintain a clean and orderly workstation to ensure interactions with clients are healthy and high-quality, and efficiencies in operations are maintained.
- Maintain confidentiality of all client information and/or other confidential information.
- Strictly adhere to all safety policies and procedures at all times and respond/correct any at-risk safety issues immediately.
- Strictly adhere to agency code of ethics and standards of workplace behavior.
- Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs including regular and reliable attendance and adherence to all company workplace behavior standards.
Marginal Functions and Responsibilities:
- Participate in special projects and data collection to enhance program planning and delivery.
- Keep informed about availability and current status of social service programs serving Washington County residents.
- Other marginal functions and responsibilities as assigned.
Required Education/Training/Experience:
- Bilingual in English and Spanish both verbal and written.
- High School Diploma or equivalency with a minimum of six months customer service experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
- Intermediate computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and software programs.
- Experience completing data entry with accuracy.
- Experience working collaboratively with a wide range of other professionals and social service agencies.
- Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a diverse work environment.
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Preferred:
- Associate's Degree or higher in Social Services or a directly related field.
- Knowledge of Washington County community resources.
- Experience completing data entry with a high degree of accuracy in multiple systems of record.
- Experience interviewing clients and assessing needs, providing appropriate information and referrals, and advocating on behalf of clients.
Required Licensing or Other Special Certifications:
- N/A
Required Physical Demands of Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
- Work is performed in normal office environment.
- Constant exposure to computer and keyboard with extensive phone use.
- In normal work day, may stand/walk 2 hrs/day; may sit _5_ hrs/day; may drive _1/2_ hrs/day; may use hands for repetitive grasping, pushing and pulling, typing and fine manipulation _4.5_ hrs/day; may use hands at or above shoulder level for _1_hrs/day.
- In normal work day, may bend, squat, and/or climb frequently.
- Work is light in nature, lifting maximum of 20 lbs with frequent lifting and/or carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
- May require walking or standing to a significant degree, or sitting most of the time with a degree of pushing and pulling of arms and/or leg controls.
How to Apply for this Position:
To be considered we must receive a completed Community Action Employment Application form. You are welcome to also include a cover letter and resume at your option. Transcripts may be required for certain positions. Applications can be completed on our website: www.caowash.org or you can print off the application to complete or pick up the application form at either of our following locations:
Hillsboro – 1001 SW Baseline St, Hillsboro OR 97123
Beaverton – 5050 SW Griffith Dr, Suite 101, Beaverton OR 97005
Be sure to submit your application in a timely manner. If you choose not to complete an online application, you can send your completed application form, optional resume and cover letter and any other required documents via fax at 503.357.6057. If you prefer to mail your application be sure to mail attention Human Resources at the Hillsboro office address above.
All application submissions will be acknowledged with a receipt notification. If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you.
All current Community Action employees are encouraged to apply for openings at Community Action which they are interested in. For current employees, some qualifications may be met by an equivalent combination or education and experience at the discretion of the employer.
COMMUNITY ACTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Community Action is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state equal employment opportunity laws. Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and selection process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.
Note: Community Action Organization reserves the right to modify, interpret or apply this job description as needed. The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties (including essential duties), and skills to be performed by the employee occupying this position. This job description is not a contract implied or otherwise and the employment relationship remains at-will. The aforementioned requirements may be subject to change to reasonably accommodate qualified persons with disabilities. All positions are contingent upon funding and successful passing of all required background checks, required registry checks and physical screenings if required.
All staff in positions which regularly require driving either company or personal vehicles while performing work on behalf of Community Action are required to provide Human Resources proof of a valid driver's license for a motor vehicle record check both at hire and annually thereafter. Human Resources will conduct a motor-vehicle record. These records will be held as confidential records in Human Resources. All accidents will be reported to Human Resources within 48 hours.