WEATHERIZATION SPECIALIST TRAINEE
About The Position
Weatherization Specialist Trainees in the Office of Community Assistance conduct quality assurance monitoring of the Weatherization program at local agencies throughout Illinois, helping ensure that low-income residents receive quality services. Under the immediate supervision of the Weatherization Monitoring Manager, trainees participate in six to eighteen months of formal and on-the-job training related to weatherization assistance programs and field reviews of residences occupied by limited-income individuals. The position is suited to an organized candidate who can plan and prioritize varied tasks and has strong oral and written communication and computer skills. The trainee learns to conduct on-site reviews of weatherized homes and LIHEAP Furnace projects, including entering crawl spaces, roof areas, and attics. The role also includes training in grant management, monitoring grant budgets and program plans, reviewing scopes of work and production levels, and helping local agencies address service-delivery issues and meet production goals. Trainees receive training in weatherization tools and procedures, assist with reports, surveys, policy materials, training manuals, and program initiatives, and attend staff meetings and weatherization training classes. The position requires travel throughout Illinois, sometimes with overnight stays. Trainees must obtain the Building Performance Institute Energy Auditor and Quality Control Inspector certifications and the Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program Training and Certification Program certification during the training period to be eligible for promotion to Weatherization Specialist I. The position is based in Springfield, Illinois, with a hybrid schedule availability of one to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs.
Requirements
- Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four years of experience in skilled building construction, construction management, or the building performance/energy conservation industry, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
- At least one year of direct experience in skilled building construction, construction management, or the building performance/energy conservation industry; this requirement cannot be substituted.
- Up to three years of education in energy management, environmental science, public administration, or construction management may substitute year for year for up to three years of the required experience.
- Complete a background check and self-disclose criminal history.
- Hold an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
- Be able to travel for work, including overnight stays as appropriate.
- Have the physical ability to work in confined spaces such as attics and crawlspaces, climb a ladder, and work at heights up to 40 feet.
- Obtain Building Performance Institute Energy Auditor (EA), Building Performance Institute Quality Control Inspector (QCI), and Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program Training and Certification Program (TCP) certifications during the training period to be eligible for promotion to Weatherization Specialist I.
Nice To Haves
- Building Performance Institute Quality Control Inspector and Energy Auditor certifications.
- At least one year of experience in the weatherization field.
- Intermediate-level experience using spreadsheet software and creating documents.
Responsibilities
- Participate in formal and on-the-job training related to weatherization assistance programs and field reviews.
- Learn to conduct on-site reviews of weatherized homes and LIHEAP Furnace projects to evaluate work quality, including entering crawl spaces, roof areas, and attics.
- Assist in developing reports on the status of sub-grantees’ weatherization programs.
- Learn to identify problems affecting agencies’ effective delivery of weatherization services and draft recommendations for agency staff review.
- Travel to conduct field reviews, with some overnight stays.
- Receive training in grant management, including observing and engaging in reviews of grantee budgets to ensure funds are spent equitably across grant allocations.
- Learn to review and approve sub-grantee Weatherization Implementation Plans submitted with annual applications.
- Learn to review Scope of Work documents for proper allocation of grant funds and compliance with grant regulations.
- Observe the review and approval process for requests to add funding to agency jobs.
- Learn to review agency production levels and determine whether the Production Policy should be enforced.
- Schedule and attend meetings to ensure agencies are meeting targeted production goals.
- Receive training to develop training and technical assistance plans for local sub-grantee agencies.
- Attend and observe training on blower door technology, infrared thermography, flue gas analysis equipment, energy audits, and final inspection procedures.
- Participate in surveys and provide input to analyses of work completed by local agencies.
- Assist with developing and implementing policy memorandums, training manuals, schedules, and new program initiatives.
- Attend staff meetings and weatherization training classes to stay current on program changes.
- Obtain required certifications to monitor Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program projects.
- Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.
Benefits
- Pension program.
- Competitive group insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
- Three paid personal business days annually.
- Twelve paid sick days annually, with sick days carrying over from year to year.
- Ten to twenty-five days of paid vacation annually; ten days in the first year of employment.
- Thirteen paid holidays annually, and fourteen in even-numbered years.
- Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on position.
- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave.
- Deferred Compensation Program supplemental retirement plan.
- Optional pre-tax programs, including Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan.
- Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Eligibility for GI Bill training/apprenticeship benefits for qualifying veterans.
- Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions.
- Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
