Information and Referral Specialist: Bilingual & Non-Bilingual

Opportunity Council; Bellingham (WA); On-site; USD 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Holidays

Health benefits

Job summary

Opportunity Council, based in Whatcom County, seeks an Information and Referral Specialist to greet clients, guide them to services, and coordinate referrals across sites. You will assist with intake, scheduling, and front-desk duties in a fast-paced, community-focused environment.

The role emphasizes compassionate service, brief screenings, and coordination with internal teams to connect clients with housing, food, and other resources. A bilingual capability is highly valued where applicable.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in human services preferred.
• Strong customer service and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Entry point and contact for community members and staff; provide main reception and front desk services.
• Coordinate communications across client service sites and lobby operations.
• Perform intake screenings, eligibility assessments, and referral processing.
• Maintain client records and support scheduling for multiple programs.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Multitasking

Team coordination

Bilingual capability

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

• Location 1111 Cornwall Ave,Bellingham, WA, 98225,United States
• Base Pay $21.00 - $24.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Regular Full Time

Position Open Date: 08/27/2026

Interested in making a difference in your community while building a career? Join our team as a Information and Referral Specialist!

WHO WE ARE:

For 60 years, Opportunity Council has worked throughout Northwest Washington to build just, equitable communities through service, investment, and collaboration. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. Part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, we are dedicated to helping people help each other and themselves—building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute.

OUR VALUES:

At Opportunity Council, our values guide everything we do. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for each other and for our community. We’re also committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into every part of our work—from the help we offer in the community to the kind of workplace we create for our staff.

To learn more about us and our work, visit our website: www.oppco.org

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

The Information & Referral Specialist is Opportunity Council’s point of entry into Opportunity Council programs, delivers basic needs services and resources, and acts as the contact for community members, human services partners, and internal departments. This position supports lobby and site operations, coordinates communications across client service sites, provides main reception telephone service, and front desk, window, and walk-in services.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm

BILINGUAL POSITIONS ONLY:

Specialize in providing services to clients and families who speak a language other than English as a primary language. May occasionally be asked to support with translating/interpreting a language other than English to assist potential or current clients.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Agency point of entry and contact: Acts as the agency point of entry and contact for community members, human services partners, and internal departments. Provides main reception telephone service, front desk, window, and walk-in services. Coordinates communication across client service sites. Supports lobby and site operations.
  • Responds to walk-ins, phone calls, emails, and chats to help guide clients, service providers, vendors, and donors to appropriate contacts internal and external to the agency.
  • Manages communication exchange of messages, packages, and paperwork on behalf of program staff to clientele.
  • Maintains and organizes lobby area for client and employee access.
  • Assists clients with completing paperwork, making copies, scanning and faxing documents.
  • Requires comprehensive knowledge of agency organizational structure and contacts.
• Requires navigation of multiple databases, spreadsheets, calendars, and staff address book.
  • Community Resource Center entry point: Acts as the entry point into Opportunity Council programs including intake, screening, resource information and referral, and direct scheduling for services. Includes internal/external resource navigation, including but not limited to: housing, employment, financial assistance, behavioral health and health care access, basic needs, food access, legal services, and social services.
    • Performs screenings, intakes, and eligibility assessments with clients seeking agency and community services.
    • Provides direct services:
      • Triage clients need to appropriately refer and facilitate access to resources and programs.
      • Performs diversion conversations and intakes for the housing coordinated entry system.
      • Assisting clients with connection to crisis services.
      • Information resource and referral.
      • Basic Food application assistance.
      • Appointment scheduling.
        • Maintains client records for compliance and continuity of service.
        • Provides community outreach to share community resource information
  • Maintains accurate client files as required by program contracts.
    • Program support & delivery: Provides delivery of basic needs services and resources, and scheduling support and referral to multiple Opportunity Council programs, including Housing, Energy Assistance, Early Learning, and Employment Services.
  • Donation Intake & Organization: Acts as point of entry for community donation program, per agency, department, and site policies and guidelines. Required to manage intake (amount, type and frequency) per existing policy and responsible for organization of donations in storage and in lobby area.
  • Rentals & Reservations (EWRRC site only): Coordinates with community members and partner agencies for room rentals and reservations.

  OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

  • Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED.
  • Experience in human services, preferably experience with the issues of homelessness, mental illness and chemical dependency preferred.
  • Experience providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers in a fast paced environment.
  • Experience coordinating with other professionals and social service agencies.
  • Demonstrated ability to effectively and respectfully provide confidential services to diverse, low- income populations, including individuals and families in crisis situations.
  • Experience working in high stress, crisis situations and utilizing sound judgment, decision making, and problem-solving skills.
  • If hiring for a bilingual position, must be able to speak, read, and write with proficiency and fluency in the required language.
  • Valid Washington State driver’s license and five-year driving history within Opportunity Council’s Auto Insurance Standards.

  We place a strong value in hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services.

  OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE:

  We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

  • Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal, holidays)
  • Paid time off for wellness needs
  • Employer-paid holidays
  • Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
  • HSA and FSA plans, subject to plan terms
  • Eligibility for critical illness insurance coverage
  • 403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution
  • Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
  • Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
  • Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care and p ersonal legal services

  ABOUT WHATCOM COUNTY:

  Working with Opportunity Council in Whatcom County is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, our community is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to positive change. Whether you're supporting local families, advocating for equity, or building programs that uplift our neighbors, you'll find purpose and connection here. Join us in building a stronger Whatcom County where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute

  We believe our team should reflect the communities we serve. That’s why we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Opportunity Council is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not permit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital or family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic information, disability, use of a service animal, or any other status protected by law.