Bilingual Utilities Assistance Specialist

Job Title: Bilingual Utilities Assistance Specialist

Reports To: Housing Utilities Assistance Program Manager

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Location/Schedule: On-site, Full-Time

Why work at MCCAC?

Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC), located in the heart of the beautiful Columbia River Gorge, serves Hood River, Wasco and Sherman Counties. MCCAC offers programs and services to ensure our most vulnerable community members have access to healthy, safe, stable and affordable housing. This is accomplished through our housing, energy/utility payment assistance and weatherization programs. MCCAC envisions a thriving community where our friends and neighbors have opportunities to be successful and thrive.

Summary:

The Utility Assistance Intake Specialist supports MCCAC’s mission to alleviate poverty by helping clients access utility and energy assistance programs. This position conducts intake appointments, assesses eligibility, and connects clients to internal programs and external services. The Specialist plays a vital role in outreach efforts and supports underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to resources across MCCAC’s service area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Administration

· Conduct outreach and accept referrals from community partners to identify eligible low-income households in Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman Counties.

· Interview and assess clients for eligibility for federal, state, and local energy assistance programs.

· Guide clients in submitting required documentation and accessing other MCCAC and community services.

· Support targeted services for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ households through culturally specific partnerships.

· Provide clients with education on energy and utility bill payment resources.

Program Compliance

· Ensure complete and accurate client data entry into the OPUS database.

· Maintain high-quality and up-to-date client files and documentation.

· Follow all contractual, regulatory, and agency-specific compliance requirements.

· Monitor internal systems and recordkeeping for accuracy and efficiency.

Community Relations and Collaboration

· Represent MCCAC in local and regional forums to advocate for low-income households and promote program innovations.

· Collaborate with community agencies to provide wraparound services.

· Engage with other energy assistance providers across Oregon to identify and implement best practices.

Qualifications & Skills:

· Strong understanding of social services, client advocacy, equity, and low-income/houseless service delivery.

· Familiarity with energy assistance programs at the federal, state, and local level.

· Excellent communication, organization, and attention to detail.

· Strong team-building and problem-solving abilities.

· Proficient in Microsoft Office; experience with OPUS is a plus.

· Bilingual (English/Spanish) required.

· Ability to travel locally within MCCAC’s service area and infrequently out of area.

· Valid Driver’s license and proof of insurance required.

Education & Experience:

· High school diploma or GED required; degree in a relevant field (e.g., social work, public administration) preferred.

· Experience in social service or energy assistance programs is a plus.

· Experience working with diverse and underserved communities.

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

· Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

· Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

· Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

· Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

· Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

· Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.

· Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

· Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

· Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments.

· Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to kneel, bend, stoop, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk and listen and must regularly stand and walk

· The employee regularly lifts up to 30 lbs.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, similar to that of a busy office.

· This position may be exposed to the outdoors for short periods of time during varying temperatures.

Application deadline: Open until filled

Starting pay: $23.75hr, with an additional 3% bilingual pay differential

How to apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to mfernandez@mccac.com.