Program Assistant, Sisters Program

POSITION:        Program Assistant, Sisters Program

REPORTS TO:  Sisters Program Manager                      

Pay Range:       $21-$23/hour

POSITION PURPOSE:  Assist Program Manager with coordination of day-to-day operations of the Sisters Program to ensure a trauma-informed, welcoming, and healing space for women to find support, respite, sustenance, connection to resources, and a sense of positive community. Specifically, coordination of Drop-In Center activities, provide staff coverage to deliver direct services as needed, oversee supplies inventory and purchasing, and support staff, interns and volunteers to learn and follow policies and procedures. Assist Program Manager with the data collection and reporting needs for the grants and reports funding the Program and other administrative supports as needed.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engagement and Connection

  • Maintain a regular onsite presence at both Sisters Program Drop-In Centers, coordinating Drop-In Center operations including assigning daily site opening and closing responsibilities.
  • Provide staff coverage (float) and provide direct services to clients as needed.
  • Ensure the Drop-In Centers provide a safe, clean, comfortable, respectful, and inclusive environment for program participants.
  • Work with staff to implement ongoing social activities (e.g. birthdays, award celebrations, art activities etc.) to engage and encourage client participation.
  • Identify and support women in crisis with Sisters staff.
  • Work with Sisters staff to link women with urgent and ongoing resources provided by Sisters, the Benedict Center, and community partners.

Respite and hospitality coordination

  • Manage, with Program Manager, weekly inventory including ordering, shopping, stocking, and disposing of expired food.
  • Work with Drop-In Center assistants to plan for daily meal preparation (menu planning, ordering, etc.) 
  • Coordinate access to lockers for personal storage, sleeping area, and shower area as needed.
  • Coordinate and assist with sorting, organizing, and distributing donations to both Drop-In Centers and to program participants.
  • Coordinate inventory and distribution of bus tickets in all areas of the Program.
  • Coordinate with on-going donors and Advisory Board partners about program needs (e.g. in-kind donations).
  • Help maintain and update basic office equipment and communicate with service vendors as needed.
  • Assistant, Volunteer and Intern support and supervision; working with community partners
  • Assist Program Manager in recruitment, screening, and orientation of volunteers and interns, including program participants taking on volunteer roles.
  • Provide orientation and support to Drop-In Center assistants (2), volunteers, and interns.
  • Help ensure procedures for Drop-In Center duties are maintained, including meal preparation, clean-up, washing of Drop-In Center laundry and donation organization.
  • Welcome and guide community partners who have a role in the Drop-in Centers including housing navigation, HIV/STD testing, evaluation, and other initiatives.
  • Coordinate community partners who provide resources such as sexual health supplies or cleaning services.
  • Assist working groups meeting at the Drop-In Centers with needs for space or technology.
  • Work with Program Manager to implement agency and program initiatives that require involvement of Sisters staff, including housing assessments, surveys, and community partnerships.
  • Evaluation and data collection
  • Track Drop-In Center daily attendance, participation and additional identified outcomes and share updates at meetings.
  • Enter data into databases and tracking mechanisms as needed.
  • Provide data collection support for program.
  • Identify and document Drop-In Center trends and outcomes with feedback from Drop-In Center staff, community partners, program participants and share with Program Manager on regular basis.
  • Work with Program Manager to evaluate the Drop-In Center and adjust work plans as needed.

Sisters Program support and connection

  • Participate in program staff meetings, in-service trainings, and staff development opportunities. Facilitate same in absence of Program Manager.
  • Maintain strong communication with all Sisters staff, Program Manager, and Director of Programs and Operations.
  • Meet with Program Manager on regular basis for supervision and support.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Mission and Values Focus:

  • Agree, uphold, and demonstrate our mission to help women affected by the criminal justice system find hope and lead safer and healthier lives, while advocating for a system of justice that is fair and treats everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Learn and implement harm reduction principles and practices.
  • Learn and implement the principles and practices of client-centered, strengths-focused, trauma informed, and empowering services.
  • Learn and practice values of cultural competency/humility including self-reflection and accountability.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services, Women’s Studies, Criminology, Sociology, or related areas preferred or commensurate with experience.
  • Minimum 2 years of experience working in programs that serve women, preferably women impacted by issues addressed in Sisters Program.
  • Ability to work well with women from diverse social, economic, racial, and ethnic backgrounds in a respectful environment.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to mediate, de-escalate, and resolve conflict constructively.
  • Ability to work independently in a self-directed manner, and exercise independent judgment and discretion about day-to-day operations of Drop-In Center.
  • Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate Drop-In Center early morning, evening, and weekend hours.
  • Ability to foster an environment of collaboration with program and agency staff.
  • Computer literacy and experience with databases and Excel worksheets.
  • Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and automobile insurance are required.
  •  Physical requirements include the ability to sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time as well as lift up to 40 pounds. 

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the occupation described and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the occupation.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:   

  • Full-time, non-exempt position
  • Paid vacation and personal/sick time
  • 13 paid holidays
  • Health, dental, and vision insurance available
  • Short-term disability, life, accident and other insurances also available
  • 401(k)
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Professional development opportunities
     

The Benedict Center is an EEOC employer

Please send resume and cover letter to hr@benedictcenter.org