Energy Specialist (Seasonal)

For 50 years SNAP has served the Spokane region as a leading voice on poverty. As the Spokane area’s Community Action leader, SNAP takes the lead in educating and empowering our low-income neighbors.

• Mission: Increasing the human potential of our community by providing opportunities for people in need.

SNAP is seeking qualified individuals for 16 Energy Specialist positions to work in SNAP’s Community Action Core. These positions are full-time/seasonal and will begin September 16, 2024.

• Open until filled
• Starting salary for this position is $17.24-$19.30 per hour DOE
• Full salary range is $17.24-$27.13 per hour
• Benefits include medical, dental, life, LTD, PTO and 403(b)
• SNAP values diversity in its work force and is committed to Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action. 

Position Summary: 

As an integral part of SNAP and its mission this position supports a diverse, low-income population by providing outstanding customer service, determining eligibility, providing administrative support, scheduling appointments, guiding individuals through the application process, maintaining confidentiality, ensuring accuracy in details, providing relevant resource information and conservation education.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• Help to create and maintain a positive work environment for both co-workers and clients through respect and guidance from SNAPs mission, vision and values.
• Provide excellent customer service at all times as well as helps to grow the customer service culture within the agency.
• Answer questions on the phone or in person, responding to client needs by providing information, including conservation education as well as directing clients to additional resources or making appointments for SNAP programs when appropriate.
• Conduct applicant pre-screening/screening process for several Energy Assistance Programs to ensure eligibility. Conducts interviews with clients seeking assistance to gather documentation and complete required documentation to meet program guidelines.
• Make timely and accurate data entry while scanning, comparing and seeking information from computer system, including the appropriate use of note fields to notate client/households most current circumstance. Ensures all scanned files are uploaded on a daily basis.
• Seek work opportunities during no shows or down time to contact energy clients, perform outreach, assist with outcomes tracking and the reduction of no show rate when appropriate.
• Contact applicants when necessary to collect missing signatures and/or documentation as required.
• Advocate for or refers applicants to energy vendors to help establish payment schedules. Contacts vendors to request service and authorize vendor payments.
• Review Energy applications to ensure all required documents are included in each applicants file. Returns un-certifiable files to the appropriate individual for correction.
• Notify applicants of certification and assistance amounts, or of ineligibility for program participation.
• Work with coworkers and volunteers to promote a positive, respectful, and productive working environment, while protecting client and co-worker confidentiality.
• Attend outreach events, meetings and trainings related to SNAP programs.
• Within the context of the stated principle job duties, serve as an ambassador of SNAPs mission and values.
• Complete assigned projects and performs related duties as needed or situation dictates.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to empathize with and advocate for low-income and vulnerable people
• Ability maintain confidentiality with personal information
• Ability to provide outstanding customer service on a routine basis
• Ability to follow and understand rules, guidelines and regulations and directly apply them to daily work
• Willingness to learn and adapt to change with a positive outlook
• General office skills, including working with multi-line phone system, filing, and basic clerical functions
• Strong interpersonal skills, with emphasis on effectively working in a team environment and with a diverse population, including those speaking English as a second language
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills, with a high attention to detail and the ability to work effectively work in an open, fast-paced, high-stress setting with frequent interruptions
• Proficient in computer operations, including word processing, spreadsheet, data entry and email with a willingness to adapt to new technologies
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with ability to write clearly and legibly
• Ability to gather information, enter it into database system and scan documentation simultaneously

Training, Certifications, and Other Requirements

• None

Work Environment/Physical Activities:

Work is conducted in an office setting, with heavy phone and people contact. Some positions will require travel, with mileage reimbursed, to outreach locations. Some positions may require relocation of work site from one office to another during program duration. Nature of program involves working with a variety of personalities, some in crisis situations, in a high-stress environment with frequent interruptions. Position is seasonal, typically running from late Fall through early Spring.

Requirements:

Education and Experience:

• Required: High School diploma or equivalent and two years of experience in customer service or clerical position.
• Preferred: AA degree and two years of experience in a social service setting.

We are an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, marital or veteran status, genetic information, gender, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected status. Individuals who will add to the diversity of our staff are encouraged to apply.