Operations Specialist

Position: Operations Specialist

Reports to: Operations Manager

Compensation*: Competitive starting salary $70,200 - $87,000 commensurate with skills and experience, Full Pay Range: $70,200 - $103,800 *Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to skill set, depth of experience, and certifications in the pay equity assessment to determine equitable salary placement. Candidates should expect compensation offers within the starting compensation range. The full pay range is included to show the earnings potential for this position with sustained high performance.  

Employment Classification: Full Time, Exempt

Anticipated Start Date: Position is open until filled, Targeting a start date in early May

Office Location: Portland Metro Area, Oregon, USA

Application Deadline: April 10, 2025

BACKGROUND

About Energy Trust of Oregon

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas and Avista, and SW Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year Energy Trust is recognized as one of the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon.

Our Vision

Clean, affordable energy for everyone.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We recognize the lack of diversity in our industry, and we actively seek to address it with our hiring and retention practices as well as our values. We believe every person and their lived experience is integral to building a vibrant culture and delivering effective services to all customers we serve. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion, and we encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds and experience to apply.

Our Location

Energy Trust provides for a range of work location options, including remote, hybrid and in-office work. This position will represent Energy Trust in public settings and potentially at community events. We are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington. This position is expected to report to the Portland office quarterly at a minimum for all staff and other in-person meetings.

What We’re Looking For:

The Operations Team plays a vital role within the broader Energy Programs division, providing essential support for the scoping, implementation, and delivery of program. The team manages project and payment processing across multiple programs while driving best practices and consistency for cross-program processes and operations.

As an Operations Specialist, you will help identify and implement business processes that enhance  the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations. You will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to assess, implement, and drive adoption of operational improvements related to program design, systems, and business processes. Your focus will be on understanding the impact on end-users, developing strategies to increase awareness, facilitating smooth adoption, and mitigating potential risks.

You will provide operational support in the scoping, development and launch of new programs and initiatives, as well as contribute to training efforts for program support staff.

As a member of the Operations Team, you will serve as the primary liaison to the Renewable Energy Programs team, ensuring seamless collaboration between operations and program staff. In this capacity, you will help evolve existing programs and integrate new state and federal grant funded initiatives, making solar energy more affordable and accessible for communities.

The Operations Specialist serves as an integral part of the Operations Support Team and, as such, may be called upon to perform other duties on behalf of the organization in addition to those detailed here.

This individual reports to the Operations Manager.

What You’ll Do:

• Identify, support and implement changes to systems or business processes that improve the efficiency and effectiveness of program operations.
• Provide input on the business requirements and implementation of new software, ensuring users’ needs are met and resulting process workflows are efficient
• Provide support to program staff, other internal staff and external staff by providing information and feedback on operational best practices in the delivery of programs, communication and outreach efforts, and cross functional projects.
• Track ongoing adoption of changes, surfacing pain points and if additional reinforcement is needed
• Work with staff on proposed changes to identify any significant risks that may impact the adoption by end-users
• Provide support to managers and leads ensuring they have the information needed to help their staff adopt changes
• Support programs in the scoping, development and implementation of new programs, pilots and new initiatives ensuring they can be efficiently implemented and align with operational best practices
• Support data related quality assurance and quality control improvements
• Review project data and participant information in Energy Trust systems and other business applications. Leveraging reporting and analytics tools to improve data quality.
• Cross-train in program operations responsibilities to provide back-up and support to other team members, including various program management, delivery and customer service processes and functions.
• Provide technical assistance and training to program staff to ensure data systems are being used as intended and that enhancements to systems or processes are effectively implemented
• As a power user of systems, inform and work with Operations Analysts, Program and IT staff on program software needs and enhancement requests through the Business Systems Prioritization Process.
• Document, train and provide guidance to internal and external staff on organizational standards, program procedures and the use of Energy Trust systems.
• Develop, review, and refine program forms, manuals, training materials and other legal and compliance documents.
• Oversee and support the weekly payment review and approvals, incentive check disbursement and correction processes for timely and accurate incentive payments while ensuring compliance with finance audit and controls processes.
• Oversee audits of payments, project records, program files, AD accounts and other compliance processes with Finance and Legal departments, leading efforts to improve quality and resolve identified problems.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Perform all functions of the job in a safe manner.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

·        This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience.
• 3 years of professional experience in business/program administration, technical customer service, as a product owner or project management.
• Ability to develop and lead efforts related to changes in systems or business processes.
• Strong knowledge of MS Office suite, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, SharePoint and other database applications, experience with SQL & Power BI preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, knowing when to seek to understand, when to influence, and when to listen.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to quickly gather, analyze and synthesize information
• Proven coordination and organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to effectively prioritize and juggle multiple concurrent projects.
• Highly self-motivated and accustomed to working in a fast-paced team-based environment.
• Must be able to interact with a diverse workforce and be comfortable working in culturally diverse settings and groups.

The above information is designed to outline the major functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please submit an application on Energy Trust’s website www.energytrust.org/About/careers.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that candidates from certain demographics are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification—for example, women and People of Color. At Energy Trust we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace—if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this or other roles. 

Energy Trust of Oregon is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, mental and physical disability, political affiliation, union membership, status as a parent, military or veteran status or other non-merit based factors. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interviewing and employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, contact us. Energy Trust of Oregon is an E-Verify employer. This policy is applicable to all phases of the employment relationship, including hiring, transfers, promotions, training, terminations, working conditions, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment.

Energy Trust is committed to pay equity. Energy Trust is committed to fair employment practices and non-discrimination, including pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected class (race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation) in the payment of wages or screen applicants on the basis of their current or past compensation. We determine salary by completing a review of your application materials to evaluate your related education, experience and training.

What You’ll Get:

·        Health/dental/vision insurance

·        Employer sponsored and paid life/disability

·        401(k) with a company contribution of 6% of your salary after 90 days of employment

·        TriMet pass

·        Access to health and dependent FSA/HSA accounts

·        Generous paid vacation, holidays and sick days

·        Paid volunteer hours

·        Employee assistance program

·        Career advancement opportunities

·        Great colleagues and culture

·        Flexibility to work from home and/or an office space at the Portland, OR location 

·        Work from home laptop provided

·        Read more about our benefits here