Community Resource Advocate II, Utility Assistance - Bilingual Required

Community-Action-Organization; Hillsboro (OR); On-site; USD 45,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Community Action in Washington County seeks a Community Resource Advocate II – Utility Assistance to manage equitable allocation of utility assistance funds and screen clients for eligibility. You will process payments from multiple funding streams, gather documentation, and provide referrals, aiming to prevent utility disconnections and improve client outcomes.

The role requires high accuracy, strong decision-making, and collaboration with clients and utility providers.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 6+months customer service experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Bilingual Requirement: REQUIRED to be fully bilingual (verbal and written) in Arabic, Chinese, Farci, Russian, Somali, or Spanish.
• Intermediate computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and related software programs.
• Proven experience completing data entry with high accuracy.
• Experience working effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of professionals and social service agencies in a diverse work environment.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Conduct phone-based or face-to-face interviews with Washington County low-income households to determine eligibility for Utility Assistance programs.
• Accurately determine eligibility and process payments from a variety of complex funding sources (e.g., LIHEAP, LIHWA, OEAP, OREF) in strict adherence to all funding guidelines.
• Negotiate with utility companies and fuel providers to prevent service disconnects, restore service, or guarantee bulk fuel delivery.
• Accurately enter detailed client information, required documentation, and authorized payments into statewide client databases and multiple systems of record.
• Maintain real-time, accurate, complete, and confidential client records (billing, income, ID documents).
• Provide comprehensive resource information on energy conservation, utility policy, payment plans, and other relevant community services.
• Engage in outreach activities and participate in application/enrollment events to educate and share services with low-income households.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to all agency safety policies, procedures, and the agency code of ethics.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Data entry

Office coordination

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree or higher in Social Services or related field

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Outlook

Job description

Job Title

Community Resource Advocate II – Utility Assistance

Company Background

Community Action is a non-profit organization that provides critical services to low-income families in the areas of housing, homeless services, economic empowerment, family development, and early childhood care and education. Community Action leads the way to eliminate conditions of poverty and create opportunities for people in the Washington County area. Be the change you want!

Job Position Description

This position plays a crucial role in our mission by managing the equitable allocation of utility assistance resources. You will be responsible for screening clients for program eligibility, processing direct financial assistance from various complex funding streams (such as LIHEAP, LIHWA, etc.), gathering required documentation, and providing essential referrals.

This role requires a high degree of accuracy, strong decision-making skills to determine the best combination of funds for each client, and the ability to build collaborative relationships with both clients and utility providers to achieve positive outcomes.

Abbreviated Duties List

• Conduct phone-based or face-to-face interviews with Washington County low-income households to determine eligibility for Utility Assistance programs.
• Accurately determine eligibility and process payments from a variety of complex funding sources (e.g., LIHEAP, LIHWA, OEAP, OREF) in strict adherence to all funding guidelines.
• Negotiate with utility companies and fuel providers to prevent service disconnects, restore service, or guarantee bulk fuel delivery.
• Accurately enter detailed client information, required documentation, and authorized payments into statewide client databases and multiple systems of record.
• Maintain real-time, accurate, complete, and confidential client records (billing, income, ID documents).
• Provide comprehensive resource information on energy conservation, utility policy, payment plans, and other relevant community services.
• Engage in outreach activities and participate in application/enrollment events to educate and share services with low-income households.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to all agency safety policies, procedures, and the agency code of ethics.

Abbreviated Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent with 6+months customer service experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
• Bilingual Requirement: REQUIRED to be fully bilingual (verbal and written) in Arabic, Chinese, Farci, Russian, Somali, or Spanish.
• Intermediate computer literacy in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and related software programs.
• Proven experience completing data entry with high accuracy.
• Experience working effectively and collaboratively with a wide range of professionals and social service agencies in a diverse work environment.
• Excellent ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

What Will Make You Stand Out

• An Associate's degree or higher in Social Services or a directly related field.
• Familiarity with Washington County community resources.
• Prior experience interviewing clients, assessing their needs, and advocating on their behalf.