Program Assistant

Northampton Parents Center Job Description

Title: Program Assistant

Reports to: Director

Base Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 am - noon, 12 hours, plus an additional 8-13 hours per week. Some weekend and evening hours. Position begins immediately and runs through the 2024 school year, approximately now - June 2024 and then Sept 2024-June 2025, with the possibility of being renewed. Some summertime hours for 1 weekly playgroup and admin work. Generally follows Northampton Public School calendar.

Rate: $20 per hour. Due to the nature of the responsibilities and attention needing to be focused on others, this position does not accommodate bringing additional children under one’s care during the hours of operation of NPC.

Purpose

The Program Assistant is responsible for collaborating with and supporting the Director with a variety of tasks in order to ensure successful day-to-day operations for a thriving family center. Our free drop-in programs serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers and their caregivers.

Essential Functions

▪ Collaborate with the Director on day-to-day operations of programs (indoors and outdoors), including set-up, cleaning, site maintenance, programming, special projects, and guiding student helpers and volunteers

▪ Greet and register parents, caregivers, and children as they arrive at programs

▪ Welcome and orient first-time families, including help with sign-in and registration

▪ In consultation with the Director, follow-up with families and facilitate connections with regular participants to ensure a welcoming and inclusive experience for all families.

▪ Serve as a resource to parents, connecting them with relevant community resources that support early childhood education, positive parenting and healthy families

▪ Merge, update and maintain cohesive participant, member, donor and alumni databases. Assist Director to develop and administer surveys and track outcomes.

▪ Assist Director with fundraising activities, grant writing and reporting, and events, including annual fundraising appeal, potential merchandise sales, Annual Auction, Tag Sale, Fall mini-golf fundraiser

▪ Occasionally direct family center activities and supervise student staff in Director's absence

▪ Help recruit, direct and support PAC members and volunteers. Attend monthly PAC meetings (currently first Tuesdays at 7:30 pm on Zoom, subject to change)

- Assist Director with program communications, mass emails, fliers, social media postings

- Collaborate with Director on outreach and maintaining relationships with community partners.

Minimum Qualifications

▪ Bachelor’s or Associate’s Degree or experience in early childhood education and care

▪ Able to work collaboratively with a diverse group of families, a wide range of personalities, and balance the needs of caregivers and children during playgroups

▪ Able to multitask and prioritize work effectively

▪ Self-directed and able to work productively without direct daily supervision

▪ Computer literate, proficient with Google Docs, Sheets, Forms, Drive; Proficiency with social media including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

▪ Approaches work from a strength-based perspective and proactively supports diversity and inclusion

▪ Dependable and maintains confidentiality, professional demeanor and appropriate boundaries

▪ Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle

▪ Satisfactory criminal record (CORI) check

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

▪ Position requires good physical and mental health.

▪ The ability to move furniture and equipment and lift children up to 40 pounds is required.

▪ Must be comfortable working outdoors in varied weather conditions

▪ Requires ability to handle interruptions and maintain focus and productivity

▪ Must be comfortable with the noise and activity level of young children

Inclusion

Our families are diverse in many ways and we welcome all. NPC does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or status as a veteran.

Application Requirements

Please send a cover letter and resume to the Hiring Committee at lindseynpcassistant@gmail.com with “Program Assistant” in the subject line.

UPDATE 5/23/24: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Northampton Parents Center, 297 Main Street, lower level, Northampton, MA 01060