Outreach Specialist - Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

Earn up to $3,000 in incentive pay during your first year of employment. UMOS is a mission-driven, customer-focused organization with over 1,000 professionals across more than 60 offices in seven states. Programs include early childhood development, training and career planning for parents, services for farmworkers, HIV prevention education, and support for those fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking.

Benefits

• Paid time off that will increase over your years of service
• 15 paid holidays annually
• Insurance covering health, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, and accidental death & dismemberment
• Options to establish a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account to cover deductibles, prescriptions, and other healthcare expenses
• Support services to promote well-being through an employee assistance program
• Retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Roth IRA, allowing pre-tax or after-tax contributions; for those participating in the 401(k) Retirement Plan, UMOS annually contributes at least 3% of employees' eligible compensation

Pay

$18.80 to $23.50 per hour, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement year-round outreach strategies to increase awareness, accessibility, and participation in the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) throughout Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Marquette Counties.
• Identify, engage, and educate potentially eligible households regarding WHEAP eligibility, benefits, required documentation, available assistance, and application procedures, with particular emphasis on low-income households, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable or underserved populations.
• Represent UMOS and WHEAP at community events, resource and health fairs, neighborhood meetings, public events, presentations, networking opportunities, and other program awareness activities.
• Conduct community-based outreach and mobile intake services at partner agencies, senior centers, housing and neighborhood centers, community events, and other approved locations.
• Conduct home visits, as necessary and in accordance with program procedures, to assist elderly individuals, individuals with disabilities, and customers experiencing barriers to accessing WHEAP services.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with community-based organizations, local governments, utility companies, schools, senior centers, healthcare providers, housing organizations, faith-based organizations, media outlets, and other community stakeholders.
• Identify and establish new outreach locations, partnerships, and service opportunities to expand WHEAP's visibility and accessibility within targeted communities.
• Assist customers in accessing WHEAP services and navigating the application process and provide appropriate referrals to other UMOS programs and community resources based on identified needs.
• Coordinate and follow up with community partners regarding referrals, outreach activities, service needs, collaborative initiatives, and opportunities to improve access to WHEAP services.
• Develop and maintain an outreach calendar and coordinate community events, presentations, mobile service locations, partner activities, and other outreach initiatives throughout the service area.
• Distribute WHEAP informational and promotional materials and assist in developing culturally and linguistically appropriate materials and outreach campaigns for diverse communities.
• Collaborate with UMOS Communications/Marketing staff and WHEAP leadership to promote services through social media, community newsletters, local media, public service announcements, and other approved communication channels.
• Provide accurate, professional, culturally responsive, and customer-focused information and assistance when responding to inquiries from customers, community partners, and stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach activities, events, presentations, partner contacts, referrals, mobile intake activities, households reached, and other required program information.
• Track and analyze outreach goals, outcomes, participation, referrals, applications generated through outreach, partner engagement, and other performance indicators to evaluate effectiveness, identify service gaps, and recommend improvements.
• Prepare monthly outreach reports, performance summaries, and other required documentation, and assist with WHEAP grant, contract, and program reporting requirements related to outreach activities and outcomes.
• Maintain current knowledge of WHEAP policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, program updates, and community resources, and comply with all applicable WHEAP, funding source, UMOS, confidentiality, documentation, and program requirements.
• Participate in required meetings, trainings, professional development, and program awareness activities; collaborate with WHEAP and other UMOS staff to support efficient program operations and coordinated service delivery; and perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Human Services, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Community Development, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in community outreach, human services, customer service, public relations, community engagement, or a related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse individuals, community organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal, public speaking, presentation, and community engagement skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community partners and customers.
• Ability to organize and coordinate multiple outreach activities, events, appointments, and priorities independently.
• Intermediate computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic recordkeeping, and data entry.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and prepare activity and outreach reports.
• Must maintain confidentiality and handle customer information in accordance with UMOS, WHEAP, and applicable privacy requirements.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license, adequate insurance, and have reliable transportation, as regular travel throughout assigned service areas and community-based outreach locations is required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends, based on community outreach and event needs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or another language commonly spoken within the communities served is preferred.

Work Environment, Physical, and Sensory Demands

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the job functions. Reasonable accommodation will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and bend; occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 30 lbs; frequently required to drive; frequently exposed to moderate temperatures, generally encountered in a controlled and uncontrolled temperature environment. The noise level in this work is usually quiet to moderate.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Phones, computer system
• Fax machine, scanner, copy machine, computer, web-based software
• First aid equipment, fire extinguisher

Usage varies by position.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Employment with UMOS is contingent upon successful completion of a driver's license check prior to commencing work.