Conservation Education Specialist

Position Open Date: 08/27/2026

Position Close Date: Open until filled

Interested in making a difference in your community while building a career? Join our team as a Conservation Education Specialist!

WHO WE ARE:

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.

OUR VALUES:

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: www.oppco.org

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

Opportunity Council’s Conservation Education program provides tools, information and referrals to identify ways to save on residential energy and water bills, conserve energy and water and improve indoor air quality, health and safety. The Conservation Education Specialist schedules home visits to provide educational services as well as conducts visual assessment in homes for Weatherization services. The Specialist conducts outreach, collaborates with other Opportunity Council programs, local non-profits and partnering agencies to maintain referrals for Conservation Education, Weatherization and Home Repair programs. This position supports Weatherization and Home Repair programs by providing administrative functions including database review and management, maintaining detailed record keeping and completing complex eligibility applications to verify a household qualifies for services.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Monday through Thursday, 7am to 5:30pm

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provides in-office and in-home Conservation Education services to eligible community members in Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties.
• Conducts visual assessments on homes for potential Weatherization projects.
• Conducts screening eligibility interviews for Weatherization and Home Repair services.
• Provides administrative services including conducting an intake to verify an applicant’s eligibility for services, reviewing completed applications to confirm eligibility, scheduling for their own home visits and workshops and maintaining detailed records across several databases.
• Conducts program outreach and marketing activities to facilitate participation in programs for Island, San Juan and Whatcom counties.
• Orders and coordinates refrigerator replacements and installs low-cost, no-cost conservation measures during Conservation Education home visits.
• Provides leadership to Energy Assistance staff around Energy Assistance, Weatherization and Home Repair programs, including maintaining extensive and current knowledge regarding eligibility requirements for program clients.
• Provides agency and community information and referrals.
• Works collaboratively with Home Improvement Department production staff and Conservation Programs Coordinator to ensure that appropriate numbers of clients are served.
• Performs a variety of moderately complex and administrative functions, including record keeping, database management, and related reports generation and assists with program and project development.
• Conducts research regarding latest energy and water conservation techniques, practices, and information.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Experience working in adult education, anti-poverty work and/or energy-related work preferred.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and five-year driving history within Opportunity
  Council’s Auto Insurance Standards.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Communication skills; ability to interpret, discuss conservation practices and information with others—including individuals, agencies and community resources—which involves terminology or concepts not familiar to many people; regularly provides advice and recommends actions involving rather complex issues.
  
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to interact positively with clients from a diverse, low- income population effectively and respectfully.
  
• Time-management skills including the ability to work with frequent interruptions and often in crisis situations.
  
• Ability to create an innovative approach or new procedure or system as appropriate.
  
• Record keeping skills ensuring the confidentiality and maintenance of up-to-date, accurate, detailed notes and client information.
  
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  
• Ability to operate small hand tools comfortably and regularly.
  
• Mechanical aptitude, with the ability to learn new technology, processes, and procedures.
  
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation
  
• Ability to access confined spaces during home visits such as attics, basements and crawl spaces, with or without reasonable accommodation

We place a strong value in hiring individuals with lived experiences of, poverty and/or homelessness or who have previously participated in Opportunity Council programs or other social services. 

OUR BENEFITS PACKAGE:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and work-life balance.

• Paid time off earned on an accrual basis (vacation, sick, personal, holidays)
• Paid time off for wellness needs
• Employer-paid holidays
• Employer-paid HDHP and low-cost traditional health care options
• HSA and FSA plans, subject to plan terms
• Eligibility for critical illness insurance coverage
• 403(b) Retirement plan with employer contribution
• Eligibility for health coverage for legal dependents
• Eligibility for employee/family dental and vision coverage
• Voluntary benefits such as life insurance, long-term disability, and long-term care and personal legal services

ABOUT WHATCOM COUNTY:

Working with Opportunity Council in Whatcom County is more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something bigger. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest, our community is rooted in compassion, collaboration, and a shared commitment to positive change. Whether you're supporting local families, advocating for equity, or building programs that uplift our neighbors, you'll find purpose and connection here. Join us in building a stronger Whatcom County where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute

We believe our team should reflect the communities we serve. That’s why we strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, Veterans, and people with disabilities to apply. Opportunity Council is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not permit discrimination based on race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, marital or family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, age, genetic information, disability, use of a service animal, or any other status protected by law.