Energy Assistance Program Assistant (Bilingual Russian)

CLACKAMAS COUNTY CORE VALUES

Clackamas County employees work to serve the public and enrich our community. In that spirit, we pledge to hold ourselves to these standards at all times in our interactions with customers and one another:

• Service · Professionalism · Integrity · Respect · Individual accountability · Trust

By incorporating these values into our daily routines, we can better serve our customers, ourselves and our projects. We’re always looking to improve. That’s the Clackamas County SPIRIT.

Clackamas County Core Values

WHO MAY APPLY

This position requires fluency in both English and Russian languages, including speaking, reading and writing.

(Please note: Language fluency means being capable of using a language easily and accurately. Being “bilingual” means using or able to use two languages with equal fluency.)

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN ONLY TO APPLICANTS WHO POSSESS BILINGUAL (ENGLISH AND RUSSIAN) LANGUAGE SKILLS. Applicants who are NOT fluently in BOTH English and Russian languages, will be inactivated.

CLOSE DATE

This Job Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) on September 14, 2021.

PAY AND BENEFITS

Annual Pay Range: $41,992 – $53,041

Hourly Pay Range: $21.53 – $27.20

• Bilingual skills are compensated at an additional 5%

Starting salaries will be within the posted pay range, based on job-related factors, such as relevant experience. This may include military service, paid work, and unpaid work (internships, volunteering, etc.).

In addition to competitive wages, Clackamas County offers an attractive benefits package for employees in regular status positions.

This is a full time County position represented by the Employees’ Association.

Employees’ Association (EA) Full Time Benefits

Learn More About Benefits

JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Clackamas County’s Social Services Division is seeking an organized, composed under pressure and customer-service oriented Energy Assistance Program Assistant to work with clients seeking energy assistance.

The Energy Assistance Program helps low income Clackamas County households pay their heating bills during the winter, and their electricity and gas costs all year long. This position requires experience with eligibility determination for Social Services programs; understanding of causes and conditions of poverty; good interviewing skills; and excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience determining eligibility for a Social Service/Human Service program, this includes experience interviewing clients to determine eligibility and experience and ability to interpret administrative rules and adhere to guidelines to determine financial eligibility for a Social Service/Human Service program.

Any combination of relevant experience, education and/or training that would likely provide the required knowledge and skills, may substitute for the required years of experience.

Bilingual fluency in both English and Russian. (Please note: Language fluency means being capable of using a language easily and accurately. Being “bilingual” means using or able to use two languages with equal fluency.)

At least one (1) year of experience with data entry systems.

Ability and experience to effectively deliver complex information and handle escalated client service issues.

A thorough understanding of the causes and conditions of poverty.

Must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. Learn more about the County’s drug testing policy.

Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check.

Driving may be necessary for County business. For position(s) with occasional/incidental driving, incumbents must possess a valid driver’s license. Accommodation requests for an acceptable alternative method of transportation will be reviewed on an individual basis in compliance with State and Federal legislation. For position(s) with regular driving, incumbent(s) must also possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the County’s driving policy

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:*

Direct experience working with the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Oregon Energy Assistance Program (OEAP) and/or other energy assistance programs.

Direct experience working with OPUS, the State computer program developed to support the Community Resources Division (CRD) of Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) programs.

• For Veterans qualified for Veteran’s Preference: If you believe you have skills that would transfer well to this position and/or special qualifications that relate to this position, please list those skills and/or qualifications in the open-ended question at the end of the application and explain how those skills and/or qualifications relate to this position.

TYPICAL TASKS

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
Reviews client cases for participation and compliance with program requirements; audits client files, verifies client information through phone calls and computer checks; provides information to clients on program options; initiates established actions with client by phone, mail or in person; researches and resolves standard problems; investigates unusual problems and recommends appropriate action.

Determines client eligibility for energy assistance programs, assures that all needed information is collected and properly documented.

Assists clients in understanding energy assistance options and process for receiving assistance.

Schedules appointments, conducts interviews, develops files, contacts utility via phone and records data on OPUS software.

Acts as advocate for clients; coordinates outreach activities; recruits clients through field visits; develops methods and materials to break down barriers and make services more accessible; develops cooperative ventures with other service providers to enhance services.

Provides information and education to individuals and groups on energy programs including related human services issues, program policy or services; develops training materials and delivers public presentations and educational workshops on issues served by the program; makes interpretations regarding program policies and procedures with supervision.

Prepares records, correspondence, reports of findings and recommendations associated with program responsibility; maintains detailed notes and records on case actions and/or program activities; analyzes and interprets documents and records; determines appropriate action or refers to professional staff; develops materials to aid clients understanding of program resources.

Responsible for all day to day record keeping and for submitting all required data in order to meet deadlines.

Conducts surveys regarding program services; designs and prepares data collection tools such as questionnaires, letters of inquiry and phone surveys; collects, enters or directs the collection of data through program surveys, personal interviews and researching source documents; consolidates and performs statistical analysis of data; prepares program reports and statistics to assist professional staff or agencies in evaluation and monitoring of client and program compliance and performance. Reviews files for completeness and accuracy.

May act as a liaison between individuals, the department, other agencies and staff; may serve on committees as a County representative; may lead the work of assigned administrative support staff, other paraprofessional staff and volunteers.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF: Principles and techniques in specific area or field relevant to assigned program; methods and principles used to conduct interviews with clients, including those who are upset and fearful due to shutoff notices or disconnect of energy source; advanced record keeping procedures and techniques; regulations and ethics associated with program responsibility and confidentiality; techniques of supervision; problems and issues of disadvantaged persons; principles of cultural sensitivity; community resources for clients; basic math; English grammar and composition; principles and techniques of public relations and interpersonal communications; data collection and analysis procedures and methodology; program evaluation; office equipment including personal computers and software programs.

SKILL TO: Work independently; effectively organize work; lead the work of others; follow written and verbal directions; communicate clearly and effectively with staff or clients and their support systems, and the public; relate to a wide variety of people of varying ages, socioeconomic backgrounds and needs; apply concepts of cultural sensitivity; maintain records; exercise independent judgment and make decisions within established policies and procedures; develop and conduct trainings and presentations; prepare and present effective written and verbal reports; operate computer software and other office equipment; utilize own ideas to maximize program resources; develop and maintain cooperative working relationships within the community, law enforcement personnel, with other staff and clients; perform multiple tasks simultaneously.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 37.5 hours during a standard workweek of Monday through Thursday (Fridays off). Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

EXPLORE CLACKAMAS COUNTY

Clackamas County is in a prime location in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area and is recognized nationally as one of the most livable areas in the United States. Located on the southern edge of the City of Portland and extending to the top of Mt. Hood, Clackamas County is part of a thriving region in the Northwest. It has a population of about 400,000 citizens.

Explore Clackamas County

Working for Clackamas County

Recreation, Arts & Heritage

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Social Services Division provides assistance to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, and low-income residents of Clackamas County.

Social Services is a Division of the Health, Housing, and Human Services (H3S) Department.

Learn more about Clackamas County Social Services

APPLICATION PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications.

Help With Your Application:
Application Process

Help with the Application

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources at 503-655-8459 or e-mail us. Our office hours are Monday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Request Veterans’ Preference

Learn more about the County’s Veterans’ Preference

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.