Outreach Specialist - Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP)

UMOS • Milwaukee, WI

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

Earn up to $3,000 in incentive pay during your first year of employment! Are you a motivated, results-oriented candidate seeking to put your talents, skills, and experience to work as part of a mission-driven, customer-focused organization? If so, we invite you to join UMOS’ diverse and dedicated team of over 1,000 professionals making a positive difference across more than 60 offices in seven states. Whether you are passionate about facilitating early childhood development; providing training and career planning for a parent; aiding a farmworker in accessing basic needs and new opportunities; educating at-risk individuals in HIV prevention; or supporting those fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking, UMOS is the place where you can fulfill your passion for helping families, businesses, and communities build better futures.

Requirements

• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual English/Spanish or another language commonly spoken within the communities served is preferred.

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.

Benefits

• Paid time off that will increase over your years of service
• 15 paid holidays annually
• A robust range of insurance covering health, dental, vision, life, short- and long-term disability, and accidental death & dismemberment
• The options to establish either a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account, which can be used to cover deductibles, prescriptions, and other healthcare expenses
• A variety of support services to promote well-being through the employee assistance program
• Retirement plan options, including 401(k) and Roth IRA, allowing you to make 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.

What This Job Offers

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