Program Assistant - Special Initiatives, is a grant-funded position, that supports the work of the YMCA of Greater Houston, leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA Houston is seeking a detailed oriented, organized, self starter with strong facilitation skills to support the Early Learning Quality Network (ELQN) three-year grant project, funded through Harris County. Program Assistant will assist with the delivery of a specific YMCA program (ELQN) to the community that focuses on youth development and increasing access to quality childcare. This role requires strong interpersonal skills, attention to detail, and the ability to create inclusive environments conducive to productive discussions and events. The overall strategy of the ELQN grant is to improve early learning and care by working alongside providers, families, and other community stakeholders to focus on quality improvement initiatives that build upon the unique strengths and opportunities of each focal community.

1. Daily Operations: Assist the Senior Program Director with facilitating community focus groups; assist with event planning and logistics. Coordinates use of local facilities for program activities and events.
2. Program Promotions: Distribute and market program information and promote focus group
3. Community Engagement: Assists in community outreach activities and special events.
4. Relationship Building: Maintains positive relations with internal staff and external community members. Responds to all member and community inquiries and complaints promptly.
5. Coordinate work with other departments, including program, accounting, and information systems. Attends and participates in staff meetings, and staff
6. Program Quality: Works with supervisor to maintain and/or increase program quality and participation.
7. Core Values: Promotes and incorporates the YMCA's five core values and character development model into all program activities. Demonstrates physical, emotional, and intellectual competencies necessary for self-control and good judgment when performing assigned duties.
8. Data Management: Maintains accurate records of all data forms for statistical reporting for YMCA and grant requirements. Assist with event registration.
9. Child Abuse Prevention: Reports suspicious and inappropriate behaviors and policy violations. Follows mandated abuse and incident reporting requirements. Ensures youth are properly signed in and signed out, ensures only authorized adults are allowed in the facility, etc. Adheres to policies related to boundaries with each child. Ensures unused rooms and closets remain locked; routinely monitors high-risk locations (bathrooms),
10. Assists supervisor with special projects as requested.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (YOUTH DEVELOPMENT LEADER)

Collaboration: Creates sustainable relationships within the Y and with other organizations in service to the community

Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y's cause

Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members,

program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential

Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role

Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents, and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence

Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
2. At least 18 years of age.
3. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse groups of participants.
4. Customer service experience.
5. Excellent computer skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word programs.
6. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to multitask and prioritize tasks effectively.
7. Flexible attitude to meet company needs.
8. CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse prevention
9. Previous experience with children and diverse
10. Current record of tuberculosis examination and/or current local health department regulations, examinations, and/or immunization as required by the local or State Department of
11. Pass a local/state background and FBI fingerprinting check

High school diploma or general education degree (GED) with demonstrated interested in inventory principles. Warehouse/supply experience in receiving and distribution of inventory strongly preferred.

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Ability to add and subtract two digit numbers and to multiply and divide with 10's and 100's. Ability

to perform these operations using units of American money and weight measurement, volume, and distance.

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use a computer for extended periods of time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart phone the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, talk, and hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Possess adequate vision and hearing to safely monitor environment and effectively communicate with employees.

Ability to read and record information, communicate effectively (verbally and in writing), maintain emotional control under stress, regular sitting, walking, reaching, bending, lifting, and standing.

Travel is primarily local between assigned centers during the business day, although some out-of-area may be expected.

Glexible with scheduling and available to work operational hours of the YMCA, which may include day, evening, weekends, and/or holidays, based on OST needs.

This job description is not all inclusive. The YMCA of Greater Houston reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. The YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

The YMCA of Greater Houston provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.