Outreach Specialist - Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

UMOS, Inc. • Milwaukee, WI

4d • $19 - $24

About The Position

The Outreach Specialist develops and implements year-round outreach to increase awareness, accessibility, and participation in the Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) across Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Marquette Counties. The role identifies and educates potentially eligible households, with particular attention to low-income households, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and other underserved populations. The specialist represents UMOS and WHEAP at community events and conducts community-based outreach, mobile intake, and home visits when needed.

The position builds and maintains partnerships with community organizations, local governments, utilities, schools, senior centers, healthcare and housing organizations, faith-based organizations, media outlets, and other stakeholders. It assists customers with WHEAP services and applications, provides appropriate referrals, coordinates partner follow-up, and organizes outreach calendars, events, presentations, and mobile service locations. The role also supports culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials and communications.

The Outreach Specialist documents and evaluates outreach activities and outcomes, prepares monthly reports and other required documentation, and helps meet grant, contract, and program reporting requirements. The role requires maintaining current knowledge of WHEAP requirements and complying with program, funding, UMOS, confidentiality, and documentation standards. The specialist participates in meetings and training, collaborates with UMOS and WHEAP staff, and performs other assigned duties.

Compensation is $18.80–$23.50 per hour, depending on experience, with the opportunity to earn up to $3,000 in incentive pay during the first year. The role requires regular travel throughout the assigned service areas and community locations, a valid driver's license, adequate insurance, and reliable transportation. The schedule may be flexible and include occasional evenings and weekends based on outreach and event needs.

Requirements

• Minimum of one year of experience in community outreach, human services, customer service, public relations, community engagement, or a related field preferred; equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.
• 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 independently organize and coordinate multiple outreach activities, events, appointments, and priorities.
• Intermediate computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications, email, electronic recordkeeping, and data entry.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation and prepare activity and outreach reports.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle customer information according to UMOS, WHEAP, and applicable privacy requirements.
• Must maintain a valid driver's license and adequate insurance and have reliable transportation; 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.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a driver's license check before work begins.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Human Services, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Community Development, Social Work, or a related field preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish or another language commonly spoken within the communities served preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement year-round outreach strategies to increase awareness, accessibility, and participation in WHEAP throughout Milwaukee, Kenosha, and Marquette Counties.
• Identify, engage, and educate potentially eligible households about WHEAP eligibility, benefits, documentation, assistance, and application procedures, with emphasis on vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Represent UMOS and WHEAP at community events, fairs, meetings, presentations, networking opportunities, and other awareness activities.
• Conduct community-based outreach and mobile intake at partner agencies, senior centers, housing and neighborhood centers, events, and other approved locations.
• Conduct home visits as necessary and according to program procedures to assist customers facing access barriers.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, governments, utility companies, schools, senior centers, healthcare providers, housing organizations, faith-based organizations, media outlets, and other stakeholders.
• Identify and establish new outreach locations, partnerships, and service opportunities in targeted communities.
• Assist customers with WHEAP services and the application process, and refer them to appropriate UMOS programs and community resources.
• Coordinate and follow up with partners about referrals, outreach activities, service needs, collaborations, and ways to improve access.
• Develop and maintain an outreach calendar and coordinate events, presentations, mobile service locations, partner activities, and other initiatives.
• Distribute WHEAP informational and promotional materials and assist with culturally and linguistically appropriate materials and campaigns.
• Collaborate with UMOS Communications/Marketing staff and WHEAP leadership to promote services through approved communication channels.
• Respond to customer, partner, and stakeholder inquiries with accurate, professional, culturally responsive, customer-focused information and assistance.
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation of outreach, events, presentations, partner contacts, referrals, mobile intake, households reached, and other required information.
• Track and analyze outreach goals, outcomes, participation, referrals, applications generated, partner engagement, and other performance indicators; identify service gaps and recommend improvements.
• Prepare monthly outreach reports, performance summaries, and other documentation, and assist with WHEAP grant, contract, and program reporting.
• Maintain current knowledge of WHEAP policies, procedures, eligibility requirements, updates, and community resources; comply with applicable program, funding, UMOS, confidentiality, and documentation requirements.
• Participate in meetings, training, professional development, and program awareness activities; collaborate with staff to support program operations and coordinated service delivery; perform special projects and other assigned duties.

Benefits

• Paid time off that increases with years of service
• 15 paid holidays annually
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment insurance
• Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account options
• Employee assistance program
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Roth IRA retirement plan
• UMOS contributes at least 3% of eligible compensation annually for employees participating in the 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Up to $3,000 in incentive pay during the first year

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree