About Our Organization:

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a leading non-profit organization in New York’s Greater Capital District. Our comprehensive range of human services reach more than 1,000 children, 600 families, and hundreds of adults across Upstate New York each year. Our multi-faceted programs are designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve. We offer residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more.

St. Catherine’s employs more than 300 full and part-time staff. Our spectrum of services for children, families and individuals suffering from the lasting effects of abuse and neglect, family instability, mental illness, homelessness and other ongoing traumas, continues to grow. We are committed to cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEI-B initiatives are designed to support and build a more equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace, one which exemplifies true respect and dignity.

Position Overview:

The Program Assistant assists with a wide variety of tasks related to the effective management of daily operations of the Marillac Family Shelter. Tasks include, but are not limited to: supply inventory, monitoring/ ordering, maintaining records of clients and daily census, front desk coverage and childcare as needed. Maintain a respectful, supportive, caring and family-oriented atmosphere for residents of the facility and staff members.

Duties & Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Establish and maintain professional working relationships with staff members, service providers, community resource people, and residents according to all agency procedures, policies, and practices.

• Ordering of supplies that are needed to operate the shelter effectively. This includes but is not limited to office supplies, household items, regional food banks, and first aid supplies.

• Complete reports for Quarterly Statistics, United Way, Food Bank and audit sheets for program compliance and billing.

• Ensuring all record keeping requirements are being met accurately through completion of audit sheets.

• Support Activities Coordinator with holiday planning of on-site events and donations.

• Set up client files and maintain on a weekly basis.

• Photocopy appropriate materials as required.

• Assist with front desk coverage and childcare if needed.

• Conduct unit inspections and monthly fire drills.

• Conduct weekly reviews of surveillance video; documenting activity or incidences.

• Ensure a safe, secure, healthy environment by reporting situations that need attention and provide follow up as needed.

• Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor/ director.

Organizational Relationships:

• Works under the direct supervision of the Director of Marillac.

• Collaborates closely with Director, Assistant Director and Case Managers.

• Maintains a team oriented, collaborative approach with all levels of shelter staff.

Position Specifications:

• High School diploma (or) GED/ TASC Equivalent, required; College degree in human services preferred.

• Clean and Valid New York State Driver’s License; be actively licensed for at least one (1) year and have reliable transportation.

• Ability to relate to a culturally diverse resident population.

• At least one year of relevant experience and a professional record of integrity and strong advocacy for families who are experiencing homelessness.

• Proficiency in various computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Business Workspace Suite (Gmail, Google Docs, Meet, Sheets, etc.); and secure Internet practices.

• Strong organization and planning skills.

• Excellent communication skills and solid writing aptitude.

• Ability to work collaboratively with other personnel and service providers or Professionals.

• Must be able to respond effectively and therapeutically in crisis situations.

• Ability to pass required pre-employment background checks, to include fingerprinting.

Essential Attributes:

• Ability to relate to and communicate with a wide range of people. This includes but is not limited to a broad range of people who are culturally and socio- economically diverse, as well as people with various developmental and functional levels

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.

• Ability to verify accuracy of data entered and contained within the data processing.

• Ability to understand, communicate with, represent and carry out the mission, values, philosophy and policies of St. Catherine’s Center for Children.

• Ability to conduct oneself in a manner that is becoming of an employee of St. Catherine’s Center for Children.

• Must be able to respond effectively and therapeutically in crisis situations.

• Ability to carry out written documentation as required by St. Catherine’s policies and procedures and as required by regulating agencies.

• Ability to organize and effectively manage (in a timely manner) the varied tasks of the position.

• Must have patience, flexibility and adaptability; be capable of exhibiting empathy for those in crisis.

• Value a nurturing family as the ideal environment for a person; and have confidence in the principle that people have the capacity to grow and change at their own pace and motivation.

• Ability to communicate with a wide range of people, including those who are culturally and socio-economically diverse, as well as people with various developmental and functional levels.

• The ability to establish a respectful relationship with persons served to help them gain skills and confidence, empowering them to solve their own problems.

• Ability to work effectively in a shared decision-making model as a team member, and work collaboratively with other personnel and service providers or professionals.

What We Offer*:

• Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package

• Health Insurance options: Medical, Dental and Vision

• Generous Combined Leave Time and LOADS of PAID Holidays! (10 Paid Holidays)

• $500 Employee Referral Bonus*

• Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities

• We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*

• Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution

• Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit, at no cost to you!

• Paid Training* including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Update courses, if role appropriate

• Tuition Reimbursement*

• Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*

• Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging

• The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.

*To qualify, certain conditions may apply; See Human Resources for additional details.

EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.

Background Checks: We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!