Program Assistant

Education and Experience

Minimum High School diploma or GED. Bilingual (Spanish) skills a plus. Minimum of two years of related clerical/administrative experience, with strong emphasis on customer service. Basic computer literacy including: Excel, Word, and Outlook. Possesses basic cooking skills. Experience in food service, such as food preparation or hospitality, is a plus, but not required. Ability to obtain a Serv-Safe Certification.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Attends meetings as requested to record meeting minutes.
• Answer incoming calls professionally and promptly and direct them to the appropriate employee and/or answer general questions about the Head Start Program and any CFS Program.
• Aid with applications for Head Start/Early Head Start services, as needed.
• Receive and distribute deliveries for CFS department.
• Process incoming and outgoing mail.
• Greet and manage pick up and drop off process for children.
• Enter data in various systems for ages and stages screening, assessments, Healthy Families America, Comprehensive Family Support, and Family Resource Center.
• Participate in active supervision of children, following active supervision policies and procedures, as appropriate.
• Assist with food delivery.
• Assist in the preparation of meals and snacks for program children, staff, and volunteers according to the USDA, CACFP, ARAS and SFSP.
• Assist with clean up after meals to include sanitation of kitchen surfaces, floors, equipment, serving utensils, carts, dishes, pots, and pans.
• Assist in safe food storage and maintain the kitchen to meet sanitation standards.
• Maintain and model good hygiene, appropriate dress and behavior for self, staff, and volunteers in the facility.
• Work with children in food-related activities on occasion upon request.
• Assist in record keeping of meal attendance, types of food provided, and amounts of food provided as needed.
• Assume the cook’s role and responsibilities in the cook’s absence.
• Continuing education in the field of nutrition and food as opportunities arise by reading, attending workshops and trainings, or taking courses in the related field.
• Communicate to the Kitchen Supervisor and/or Food Services Manager any concerns or suggestions regarding child nutrition or food services.
• Ability to drive food to other locations if needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

Other Qualifications

• Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Adequate typing skills.
• Knowledge of multi-line phone system.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of spreadsheets and some fiscal/financial education.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to unique challenges faced by families living in poverty.
• Reliable source of transportation with 100/300 liability insurance coverage.
• Physical strength/endurance/mobility to perform in a standard daily required work routine (i.e. walking, sitting, lifting, and driving to various sites required).

Communication Skills

Pleasant, articulate, and able to communicate effectively with staff, volunteers, and families on a regular basis. Excellent communication skills and ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to read, write, and communicate instructions.

General Expectations

• Respects confidentiality of information about agency staff, personnel issues, and other program operations.
• Strong commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Plan, assign, coordinate, organize, and prioritize work.
• Models direct, positive, honest, and respectful behavior in every aspect of work with children, families, staff, and community members.
• Energetically engage people, issues, and work.
• Apply the highest ethical standards to themselves and others on a daily basis.
• Supports others in their efforts to be productive and effective and succeed in work and life.
• Actively participate in team building, which includes sharing ideas and mutual support of team members.
• Consistently use interpersonal skills that are appropriate for individual styles, personalities, cultures, the nature of the work, and the environment in which the work is being done.
• Practice honest, respectful, and direct communication as well as active listening.

Employment Screening

• Valid Driver’s License and insured vehicle (100/300 minimum coverage) for use on the job or acceptable alternative, driving record check, criminal record check, randomized drug screening.
• Head Start, Early Head Start, Childcare, and Home Visiting Programs are also subject to the following: Head Start and Child Care Licensing requires a criminal record check and fingerprinting to be completed prior to employment. An initial physical examination record must be obtained upon hire, updated every three years and kept on file with Human Resources. If a TB screening indicates high risk, results of a TB test must be kept on file including any treatment received. An Initial driving record check will be conducted. Driver’s license information will also be submitted to the agency’s automobile insurance carrier.