Program Assistant in Oakland, California at Brighter Beginnings

Title: Program Assistant

Reports to: Program Support Manager and Quality Assurance Administrator

Status: Non-Exempt / Hourly / Full-Time / In-person

Location: Oakland Office

Pay: $26.50/ hour

Our Mission & Vision

The Brighter Beginnings mission to “support healthy births and successful development of children by partnering with parents and helping to build strong communities“, gains its strength and aspiration from our core belief and vision that, “Every family matters, and every child deserves a happy, healthy future.”

Our History

Brighter Beginnings is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and has been responding to the needs of families in under resourced neighborhoods since 1984 when our work began in response to the alarming differences in mortality and illness rates among African American babies compared to other children.

Brighter Beginnings has grown into a respected and well-connected organization with locations in Oakland, Richmond, Bay Point, and Antioch. We have a multi-cultural, bi-lingual staff of passionate and committed family-service professionals; in fact, many of our staff came to this work because of the challenges they faced in their own families.

Position Summary

The Program Assistant (PA) is a primarily administrative role based at our beautiful Oakland office. PAs support our five Oakland-based programs in the areas of Early Childhood Development and Mental Health. In this role, you will assist with data management, as well as donations, and client supportive programs such as the Food Pantry and Diaper program. You will be the face of the office, greeting people at the door and answering calls directed to the office. The PA must have excellent communication skills and collaborate with our Senior Program Managers regularly.

Candidate Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university or equivalent in business, public administration, or related field preferred.
• Two years of program assistance and/or administrative experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bilingual in Spanish required.
• Must have Word processing, spreadsheets, and database proficiencies.
• Experience with coordinating meeting logistics, flexibility to attend evening meetings.

Responsibilities:

1. Maintain a calendar of due dates of program/s reports, evaluation requirements, and other important due dates
2. Pre-screening and assist applicants for the program/s eligibility determination and enrollment
3. Answer the main phone and take messages or transfer calls, route incoming correspondence.
4. Assist in the preparation and photocopying of program/s reports and correspondence
5. Provide information packets for callers seeking information about Brighter Beginnings.
6. File all correspondence and program-related documents related to BB, including summaries or minutes of network coordination meetings.
7. Assist in ordering program supplies and office supplies.
8. Input client data into databases
9. Coordinate community donations programs such as the clothing drive, Food Bank, community donations, and regular diaper distribution.
10. Support/Coordinates special projects, activities, or events as assigned by Supervisor and/or Sr. Program Managers
11. Assist with program enrollment
12. This position requires driving, and loading and unloading boxes of food, deliveries, and other donated items. This involves bending, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying items up to 50 lbs.
13. Assist with the delivery of services (including home visiting) to clients when needed
14. Other duties as assigned.

Other Job Requirements

This job requires passing a background check, a negative TB test or clear chest x-ray (less than 1 year old), Physical Exam (less than 6 months old), providing updated vaccination records, Hepatitis B vaccination, annual flu vaccination, and Covid-19 vaccination. The Physical examination must indicate that the employee is able to meet the physical requirements of the job including: Lifting, Walking, Driving, Stooping, Bending, and Twisting.

Benefits

We are proud to offer competitive wages and benefits to our employees. Please feel free to inquire during the interview process. As a summary, we offer:

• 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance!
• Competitive wages and friendly environment
• Two weeks of vacation (increase after 1 year of employment)
• 13 paid holidays
• Sick leave accrual
• Optional employee-paid dependent health coverage
• 403b retirement account with matching
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Brighter Beginnings is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity and inclusion. At Brighter Beginnings, employment decisions are made regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnic origin, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information or ancestry, protected Veteran or military status, or other characteristics protected by law.

If you require alternative methods of application or screening, you must approach the employer directly.

All applicants that are offered a conditional offer of employment will need to complete a background check. For positions with client/patient contact, you must have a TB clearance and a physical assessment by a physician of your ability to complete job duties. Additional requirements are an immunization records (including MMR, Hep B, Varicella, TDAP, Covid-19). All positions require applicants to have a valid California driver’s license, be listed under car insurance as a driver, and a clean driving record (as defined by our insurance carrier).