If you want to use your skills to help households access vital heating assistance, consider becoming an Energy Assistance Worker with the Department of Human Services. In this role at the Lackawanna County Assistance Office, you play a key part in guiding applicants through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) process. Your efforts support accurate eligibility decisions and timely benefits for community members in need. This position offers a rewarding opportunity to support your neighbors while building your professional strengths.
This position supports the LIHEAP process by gathering information, reviewing applications, and ensuring that applicants receive fair and accurate benefit determinations. The role helps community members access essential heating assistance through clear communication and careful documentation. As an Energy Assistance Worker, you will perform the following duties:
- Applicant Interviews: Conduct interviews in person or by phone to collect information needed for determining eligibility
- Application Review: Examine applications for accuracy and advise applicants of missing information
- Verification Gathering: Request income, housing, and heating information from third parties to confirm eligibility
- Income Calculation: Compute income using approved methods to ensure applicants receive the correct benefit level
- Crisis Processing: Handle requests for crisis benefits in accordance with program guidelines
- Record Maintenance: Update LIHEAP files, remove outdated materials, and use computer systems to check benefit history
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Seasonal, full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week
- Seasonal employment typically runs for 6 to 8 months during the fall and winter seasons to assist clients with the process of applying for heating assistance.
- Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
- Telework: This position may be eligible to telework part time. Specific details of the telework schedule will be discussed during the interview process. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Scranton, PA. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.
- Hourly Rate: In some cases, the starting hourly rate may be non-negotiable.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Two years of experience in general office work which included interviewing the public; or
- Any equivalent combination of experience and training.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- Hiring preference for this vacancy may be given to candidates who live within Lackawanna County. If no eligible candidates who live within Lackawanna County apply for this position, candidates who reside in other counties may be considered.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirements:
- A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information.
- You must pass a background investigation.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
- Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
- Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
- Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
- You must provide complete and accurate information or:
- your score may be lower than deserved.
- you may be disqualified.
- You may only apply/test once for this posting.
- Your results will be provided via email.