**JOB SUMMARY:** This Energy Assistance Specialist will help ensure income-eligible customers can access and fully benefit from available federal, state, local, and company-sponsored bill payment assistance program grants. In this role, the successful candidate will support enhancements to programs and processes to drive results through increased customer enrollments. In addition, this candidate will foster and maintain relationships with local community action agencies, and other key internal and external stakeholders focused on the same mission of increasing affordability solutions for economically vulnerable communities in need. This candidate also will support actions required for operational improvements in response to efforts for compliance and effectiveness. **JOB REQUIREMENTS:** (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills **)** **Required:** + High School Diploma required + 2-3 years of customer experience/ credit & collections/ billing/ energy assistance/utility experience performing duties noted above with progressive responsibility + Reliable and able to work with minimal supervision by taking ownership for managing workload, prioritizing work, as well as evaluating and tracking results + Basic computer skills + Strong verbal and written communication skills + Strong interpersonal skills + Strong analytical skills + Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills + Strong organizational, time management and planning skills + Strong listening to understand skills + Intermediate proficiency with MS Excel + Experience with customer billing/account systems (CC&B) + Comfortable speaking directly to customers to address questions/concerns **MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:** + Support the strategic vision and direction of the Energy Assistance team and the work being performed on behalf of the company and with the best interest of customers being top of mind + Support the day-to-day work responsibilities that help ensure income-eligible customers can fully maximize available bill payment assistance program benefits + Leverage data analytics to identify customers eligible for bill payment assistance programs as well as analyze performance of programs to determine how to modify, if needed, to reach more eligible customers + Be an advocate for federal and state financial assistance programs, such as the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) + Manage day-to-day relationships with key internal stakeholder groups/departments and state and local agencies by building and maintaining healthy relationships that foster new or improved opportunities to better serve customers + Implement processes for collecting, tracking, and maintaining energy assistance dollars as well as reconciling energy assistance payments for accuracy and auditing + Support an Energy Assistance strategy that better educates company employees, especially frontline customer service and field employee, and customers about available bill payment assistance resources. + Participate in public and company planned events, including customer-facing events, that help connect customers to available bill payment assistance programs. + Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, as well as company policies related to energy assistance programs. + Ensure all financial transactions are documented correctly and that records of program activities are accurate, organized and accessible for review. **Preferred:** + Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred or equivalent academic, education and work experience + Demonstrated experience building relationships and collaborating with others + Demonstrated experience working with federal, state and local organizations who assist income-eligible customers + Strong technical acumen, with ability to solve problems + Bilingual is a plus **Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:** Some business travel (5 – 20% travel): The incumbent will be required to travel to the various company/community sites and meetings. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay from home for one or more nights. **Disclaimer:** This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities. **About Southern Company Gas** Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com . Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com. Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process. Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law. Job Identification: 9613 Job Category: Customer Service Job Schedule: Full time Company: Nicor Gas Pay Range: 42,566 - 62,429.40 USD Hourly: Base salary varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, and at the time of this posting, this is the reasonable salary range for this role.