Are you able to read, write, and speak in Spanish? Do you want to begin a rewarding career in public service by helping families living on low incomes pay their heating bills? Join the Office of Income Maintenance, Philadelphia County Assistance Office as an Energy Assistance Worker. These full-time, seasonal positions communicate directly with customers and complete key processes for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Your work will help Pennsylvania residents stay warm this winter and provide a critical connection to our Spanish-speaking customers. Apply now for the opportunity to grow your communication and organizational skills while serving the public!
This position is responsible for serving customers who apply for LIHEAP by reviewing applications, gathering information, and ensuring program rules are followed. Success relies the ability to communicate effectively with staff, customers, and the public in both English and Spanish, as well as interact objectively and with sensitivity in stressful or difficult situations. As an Energy Assistance Worker, you will perform the following duties:
- Application Review: Interview customers, review data, complete forms, and use the approved method of calculating income that helps each customer the most
- Bilingual Accessibility: Communicate effectively with customers in Spanish both verbally and in writing; interpret and translate mail, documents, and agency forms
- Eligibility Decisions: Evaluate customer information, decide whether assistance can be approved, and send notices requesting additional information or informing customers of a final decision
- Processing and Follow-through: Follow procedures to support timely action on each case; attend all hearings to ensure benefits are properly processed and issued
- Record Maintenance: Complete reports and data entry; ensure case records and files are accurate and orderly
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- This is a full-time, seasonal position that typically runs for six to eight months during the fall and winter seasons to assist clients in 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: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. Specific telework schedule details 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 Philadelphia. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
- Salary: In some cases, the starting salary 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:
- This position requires the selected candidate to be able to read, write, and speak in Spanish. You may be contacted for a Spanish speaking proficiency evaluation conducted by the Bureau of Talent Acquisition, PA Office of Administration. If contacted, you must pass the speaking evaluation in order to be deemed eligible for this position. Your proficiency in reading and writing in Spanish must be demonstrated during the probationary period to achieve regular status in the position.
- 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.
- 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.