Program Assistant - Reach Out and Read Washington (Seattle)

Program Assistant, Reach Out and Read Washington

Posted by: Reach Out and Read National Center

Seattle, WA, US

GENERAL STATEMENT ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

Reach Out and Read, one of the nation’s leading nonprofit organizations, is an evidence-based school readiness initiative that serves 4 million children and families nationwide. Our team is comprised of highly-skilled professionals who have a deep commitment to excellence and to the children and families we serve. Every member of the organization is critical to fulfilling our mission. Employment at Reach Out and Read means joining a dedicated and diverse staff committed to helping children arrive at school prepared to succeed. We strive to provide a pleasant and productive work environment and want all of our staff to have satisfying and fulfillingjobs.

REACH OUT AND READ MISSION:

Reach Out and Read preparesAmerica's youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.

Doctors, nurse practitioners, and other medical professionals incorporate Reach out and Read’s evidence-based model into regular pediatric checkups, by advising parents about the importance of reading aloud and giving developmentally-appropriate books to children. The program begins at the 6-month checkup and continues through age 5, with a special emphasis on children growing up in low-income communities. Families served by Reach Out and Read read together more often, and their children enter kindergarten with larger vocabularies, stronger language skills, and a six-month developmental edge.

THE REACH OUT AND READ MODEL:

Pediatric healthcare providers (including pediatricians, family physicians, and pediatric nurse practitioners) are trained in the three-part Reach Out and Read model to promote early literacy and school readiness:

• In the exam room, doctors and nurses speak with parents about the importance of reading aloud to their young children every day, and offer age-appropriate tips and encouragement.
• The pediatric primary care provider gives every child 6 months through 5 years old a new, developmentally-appropriate children's book to take home and keep.
• Parents adopt advice received through pediatric visits and make reading aloud part of their daily routine. Our families read up to 350 hours with our children prior to kindergarten.

THE IMPACT AS OF APRIL 2012:

• Reach Out and Read Programs are located in more than 4,900 hospitals and health centers in all 50 states,Washington,D.C.,Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including 55 U.S. Military Bases.
• Reach Out and Read serves more than 4 million children and their families annually.

• More than 6.5 million new, developmentally-appropriate books are given to children annually.
• More than 28,000 medical providers currently participate in Reach Out and Read.
• Community volunteers dedicate more than 270,000 hours of service to Reach Out and Read annually.

ORGANIZATIONAL VALUES:
The employees of Reach Out and Read are guided by the following core values:
PASSION - We believe in the transformative power of books and reading to strengthen families and positively affect the development of children. Our shared mission binds us together as one organization and is the motivation behind everything that we do.
EXCELLENCE - We deliver the highest quality, evidence-based program, expect greatness from ourselves and each other, and are accountable to the communities we serve, so that children grow up better prepared to achieve their potential.
RESPECT - Our success depends on the positive relationships we build with colleagues, partners, the medical community, and families. We embrace diverse ideas, talents, and backgrounds.

INNOVATION - Resourcefulness and a revolutionary model make us one of the most effective, efficient school readiness initiatives in the nation. We make strategic decisions to facilitate growth and long-term, sustainable impact.
GENERAL STATEMENT OF OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION:
The Program Assistant is pro-active, organized, detail-oriented, and flexible and excels in a fast-paced office environment. The Assistant provides support to the leadership and program teams and coordinates the administrative functions of the Washington State office. S/heanswers the phone and emails, serves as the front desk receptionist, coordinates materials, organizes data, keeps program status tracking tools up-to-date, and assists with a variety of other logistics for programmatic, development, communications, and office support. The Program Assistant must demonstrate sound judgment, discretion, and maturity.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED:
Regional Director, Washington State
SUPERVISION EXERCISED:
None
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Support
Tracks and organizes program information/data and assists with program support and technical assistance:

• Enter Reach Out and Read program data in tracking databases and spreadsheets.
• Support program compliance with twice-yearly progress reports.
• Provide programs with information and resources via phone and email as requested by members of the programs team.
• Prepare materials for site visits, assist with scheduling and travel arrangements, and complete follow up as requested.
• Update program information on Reach Out and Read Washington State documents monthly and as needed.
• Provides other support to the Program Team as requested

Office Support
Ensures that the office runs smoothly, efficiently, and professionally on a daily basis:

• Answers and routes all incoming calls
• Greets and directs visitors
• Maintains voicemail and phone systems and office equipment (printers, fax machine, copier, etc.) and provides assistance to staff members as needed.
• Makes meeting packets and assembles mailings.
• Posts outgoing mail via USPS, UPS, or other carrier and sorts incoming mail.
• Maintains paper and electronic filing systems.
• Maintains inventory, organizes, and orders office supplies.
• Coordinates with landlord and other vendors regarding office maintenance and repairs.
• Provides support to all staff as requested. Including, but not limited to: scheduling appointments and meetings, taking meeting notes, following up on meeting-generated tasks, supporting Advisory Council meetings/activities, and preparing documents and slides using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Development, Communications Support

• Formats monthly electronic newsletters and maintains/updates mailing lists.
• Provides support to Directors for grant writing, reporting, and other documents, as requested

OTHER DUTIES:

• The above statements in this job description are intended to depict the general nature and level of work assigned to the employee(s) in this job. The above is not intended to represent an exhaustive list of accountable duties and responsibilities required.
• Other duties as necessary.

EDUCATION:
Work requires the knowledge normally acquired through the completion of a Bachelor’s degree, or the equivalent.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS REQUIRED:
None
EXPERIENCE
Demonstrated success providing administrative support in a high-performing environment. Experience in a non-profit organization or healthcare setting is preferred. At least 2 years relevant experience required.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with a rapidly growing program.
• Desire to learn and ability to adapt to change.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize competing demands to ensure achievement of overall goals.
• Excellent written skills, including proofreading and formatting. Experience drafting agendas, correspondence, presentations, and other written documents.
• Demonstrated phone and face-to-face interpersonal and communication skills appropriate for a professional work place; with the public and with co-workers and supervisors.
• Strong analytical skills with detail-oriented approach.
• The ability to work effectively as a team member with all levels of staff, and with staff in other locations.
• The ability to work independently, take initiative, handle multiple priorities, and meet deadlines; in the context of collaborating with and supporting the team.
• Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, and Outlook) and web-based applications. Experience with database programs preferred.

Reliability, dependability and excellent attendance record is required.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES:
External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.
POSITION SPECIFICATIONS:
Full Time
Non-Exempt
Position will require a background check

How to apply

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Apply to jobs@reachoutandread.org
Please include salary requirements with application and let us know where you heard about the job.
Please include the job title in the header line of your email
No phone calls please.
www.reachoutandread.org