Utility Assistance Program Specialist; TEMP

Job Description

Full‑time temporary employment for up to 6 months. Hourly range: $20.50 – $24.37 (DOE/Q).

Since 1965, MAAC has maximized self‑sufficiency with families and individuals through high‑quality programs and advocacy in our communities. MAAC employs dedicated staff who provide life‑changing services to thousands of individuals annually through programs in five core focus areas:
Education, Economic Development, Health & Wellbeing, Housing, and Advocacy & Leadership Development. Through a wide variety of programs, MAAC has become one of the largest nonprofit social service organizations in the community.

MAAC’s utilities assistance programs include but are not limited to the State of California Department of Community Services (CSD) for the Low Income Home Energy Assistant Program (LIHEAP). Programs provide funds to assist low‑income households with utilities bills and mitigate the economic impacts of utility costs to low‑income households.

The work is focused on determining applicant eligibility for the programs, answering questions and responding to applicants, landlords, and the public regarding program policies and procedures, facilitating workshops, providing application assistance, entering data into data management systems, and maintaining paper documentation and files.

The Program Specialist will support MAAC’s efforts to restore stability to San Diegans in an expedited manner.

• Review submitted/assigned applications for accuracy, completeness, and to determine eligibility.
• Perform required data entry.
• Check and tabulate standard mathematical data to determine program award.
• Inform applicants, landlords, and the general public of program procedures and required documentation for program eligibility.
• Provide technical assistance to Community Based Organizations assisting clients with application submissions.
• Conduct comprehensive audits of case files to ensure eligibility determinations, case management activities, and documentation are accurate, complete, and in accordance with applicable policies and funding source rules.
• Conduct administrative reviews regarding the denial of eligibility.
• Pull case records, conduct research regarding problems or concerns, and take corrective action as appropriate.
• Develop and maintain accurate and detailed records; verify accuracy of information, research discrepancies, and record information.
• Use dashboards and Excel spreadsheets to track status of assigned applications.
• Deliver presentations on program benefits, eligibility, and processes.
• Make and document referrals to other resources.
• Offer comprehensive education and counseling to participants.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Eligibility and/or case management practices and procedures.
• Applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Record‑keeping principles and procedures.
• Principles and practices of data collection and report preparation.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles of business letter writing and record keeping.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and staff.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) communication skills preferred.

• Perform specialized and technical eligibility and case management work with accuracy, speed, and minimal supervision.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present administrative and technical information and data effectively.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Make accurate arithmetic, financial, and statistical computations.
• Operate modern office equipment and software (computer, word‑processing, database, spreadsheet, and other relevant applications).
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks effectively and timely.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and…