Information and Referral Specialist: Bilingual & Non-Bilingual

• Location 1111 Cornwall Ave,Bellingham, WA, 98225,United States
• Base Pay $21.00 - $24.00 / Hour
• Employee Type Regular Full Time

Position Open Date: 08/27/2026

Interested in making a difference in your community while building a career? Join our team as a Information and Referral Specialist!

For 60 years, Opportunity Council has worked throughout Northwest Washington to build just, equitable communities through service, investment, and collaboration. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. Part of a national network of Community Action Agencies, we are dedicated to helping people help each other and themselves—building a community where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute.

At Opportunity Council, our values guide everything we do. Collaboration, respect, integrity, passion, and learning shape how we show up for each other and for our community. We’re also committed to weaving diversity, equity, and inclusion into every part of our work—from the help we offer in the community to the kind of workplace we create for our staff.

To learn more about us and our work, visit our website:(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..org

The Information & Referral Specialist is Opportunity Council’s point of entry into Opportunity Council programs, delivers basic needs services and resources, and acts as the contact for community members, human services partners, and internal departments. This position supports lobby and site operations, coordinates communications across client service sites, provides main reception telephone service, and front desk, window, and walk-in services.

Monday through Friday, 8am to 4:30pm

Specialize in providing services to clients and families who speak a language other than English as a primary language. May occasionally be asked to support with translating/interpreting a language other than English to assist potential or current clients.

• Agency point of entry and contact:
  Acts as the agency point of entry and contact for community members, human services partners, and internal departments. Provides main reception telephone service, front desk, window, and walk-in services. Coordinates communication across client service sites. Supports lobby and site operations.
  • Responds to walk-ins, phone calls, emails, and chats to help guide clients, service providers, vendors, and donors to appropriate contacts internal and external to the agency.
  • Manages communication exchange of messages, packages, and paperwork on behalf of program staff to clientele.
  • Maintains and organizes lobby area for client and employee access.
  • Assists clients with completing paperwork, making copies, scanning and faxing documents.
  • Requires comprehensive knowledge of agency organizational structure and contacts.
• Requires navigation of multiple databases, spreadsheets, calendars, and staff address book.
  • Community Resource Center entry point:
    Acts as the entry point into Opportunity Council programs including intake, screening, resource information and referral, and direct scheduling for services. Includes internal/external resource navigation, including but not limited to: housing, employment, financial assistance, behavioral health and health care access, basic needs, food access, legal services, and social services.
    • Performs screenings, intakes, and eligibility assessments with clients seeking agency and community services.
    • Provides direct services:
      • Triage clients need to appropriately refer and facilitate access to resources and programs.
      • Performs diversion conversations and intakes for the housing coordinated entry system.
      • Assisting clients with connection to crisis services.
      • Information resource and referral.
      • Basic Food application assistance.
      • Appointment scheduling.
        • Maintains client records for compliance and continuity of service.
        • Provides community outreach to share community resource information
  • Maintains accurate client files as required by program contracts.
    • Program support & delivery:
      Provides delivery of basic needs…