Front Desk Associate at Towards Employment Incorporated – Cleveland, Ohio

Reports to: Program Manager, Community and Re-entry

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Salary Range: 36,000-38,000

JOB SUMMARY

Front Desk Associate is the first point of contact for Towards Employment and is accountable for providing an excellent first impression of the organization, as well as controlling operational flow and facilitating safety. Welcomes visitors by greeting them in person or on the telephone, answering or referring to inquiries in a professional and friendly manner. Will assist with security through monitoring of security screens and managing entry into the workspace. Supports the Organization by adhering to safety guidelines and protocol. Supports the team effort by creating a welcoming experience for all TE visitors, telephone calls and staff

Towards Employment offers a robust and competitive benefits package designed to support our team’s health, financial well-being, and work-life balance. Those benefits include:

• Employer-subsidized medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance.
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with an employer match and profit sharing.
• Company-provided life and short-term disability insurance.
• Paid Parental Leave.
• 10 vacation days, 10 sick days, 13 paid holidays, and time off between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
• Additional Perks include; flexible schedules, salary advances, cell phone reimbursement and an Employee Assistance Program offering free mental health support services.

Join a team that invests in you!

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The performance of the duties outlined below must be carried out within the mission of Towards Employment; We Champion the potential of every person to succeed in a rewarding career, while working to create an equitable and inclusive workforce for tomorrow.

COMMUNICATION

• Welcome scheduled visitors as well as walk-ins and direct them to appropriate staff.
• Maintains up-to-date understanding of current programs and services including schedules; enrollment processes; program specific eligibility etc.
• Answer, screen, and forward incoming phone calls; triage and forward calls as needed according to alignment with program interest
• Retrieves voice mails and directs messages to appropriate staff members
• Work closely with Program Manager, Community and Reentry and to ensure messaging is in line with TE brand and communication procedures.

ADMINSTRATIVE

• Schedule eligible participants for orientations/workshops and answer basic questions regarding the same.
• Maintain, distribute, and track bus tickets allotted for TE participants
• Performs routine administrative duties including copying, faxing and mailings as needed or requested by manager.
• Assist with reminders and follow-up calls before and after information sessions
• Process incoming and outgoing mail; route deliveries to appropriate staff
• Create TABE logins for participants and print results to be distributed to case managers
• Input participant data into database as requested and use to locate participants’ case managers or coach
• Input individual session notes in database when communicate with participants
• Assist administrative staff with special projects.
• Assist with organization supply orders
• All other duties as assigned and requested by supervisor.

SECURITY

• Maintains security by following procedures; monitoring security screens; issuing visitor badges and following proper closing procedures to ensure safety.
• Works with TE's Community Safety Partner to maintain security by following safety procedures that control access via the reception/lobby entrance; be alert to suspicious behavior; verbally de-escalate potentially tense situations; and respond to emergencies calmly.

History of Towards Employment

Founded in 1976, Towards Employment (TE) is a non-profit leader in providing innovative solutions to move people out of poverty, into quality jobs and along a career pathway. Towards Employment has gained local and national recognition for achieving excellent outcomes through the hard work of its dedicated staff of 74 and an $8 million annual budget. Towards Employment offers a continuum of support to low-income individuals preparing to enter the workforce or looking to advance from low-wage employment while also fulfilling the staffing needs of local employers.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Strong telephone skills, excellent telephone etiquette and good verbal communication skills
• Must have exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a diverse population of visitors and participants consistently
• Must have experience and training to calmly respond to potentially unwanted situations including use of de-escalation techniques, quickly notifying staff and/or activating alarms. Strong multi-tasking and time management skills. Ability to function with minimal supervision and with all levels of staff is needed
• Strong attention to detail is required along with strong organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently, be flexible and dependable, and demonstrate initiative and creativity
• Proficiency with data entry and Microsoft Office Suite, MS Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Experience using door access control systems, monitoring cameras position throughout the property based on security protocols and activating/deactivating building alarm systems.
• Good written communication skills with strong organizational, time management and problem-solving skills.
• Commitment to Towards Employment mission and values

Success in this position also requires:

• Continuous Improvement – Committed to learning, development, assessment, and measurement to continuously improve.
• Coaching Capacity – Ability to provide guidance and to support the advancement of others.
• Team Builder – Leads others through collaboration, influence, and coaching.
• Social Justice Advocate – Passionate about promoting equitable opportunities for all community members.