Front Desk Receptionist

About The Arc of Butte County

The Arc of Butte County is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Established in 1962, we are committed to promoting the inclusion, empowerment, and independence of people with IDD. Through a wide range of services, including adult day programs, family support, respite care, job development, and independent living skills training, we aim to improve the quality of life for those we serve and advocate for their human rights and full participation in society.

At The Arc, we strive to create a community where individuals with IDD can live, work, and thrive. Our programs not only offer direct services but also foster a sense of belonging and community engagement. We are passionate about making a difference in the lives of the individuals we support and are looking for dedicated, compassionate team members to join us in this important mission.

About the position

As a Front Desk Receptionist, you will be the welcoming face of The Arc Butte County. This role goes beyond traditional receptionist duties - you will support a safe, calm, and compassionate environment for visitors, participants, families, and staff.

You will be the first point of contact for many people, including community members, individuals with IDD, vendors, and occasionally individuals in distress. This position requires emotional agility, strong interpersonal boundaries, and a calm, friendly demeanor even when situations become challenging.

What You'll Do:

• Greet and assist visitors, families, program participants, and vendors with warmth and professionalism
• Manage phone system; direct calls and take messages with a friendly, helpful attitude
• Handle visitor vetting, sign-ins, and basic building access procedures
• Ensure the lobby and front desk areas remain clean, organized, and welcoming
• Build positive rapport with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Set and maintain conversational and emotional boundaries with individuals in person and on the phone
• De-escalate difficult or emotionally tense interactions with compassion and professionalism
• Assist individuals who may be disoriented, transient, or in need of redirection in a calm, respectful manner (“helping them find the door”)
• Transition quickly from high-emotion moments to welcoming customer service interactions
• Support various departments with administrative tasks during downtime
• Complete special projects as assigned by supervisors
• Assist with creating social media content or posts during downtime (if skilled/comfortable)

What You'll Bring:

• A warm, patient, and professional demeanor, even when navigating challenging behaviors
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Strong boundary-setting and the ability to stay emotionally grounded
• Ability to calmly and respectfully support individuals experiencing confusion, distress, or frustration
• Experience with de-escalation or customer service conflict resolution
• Emotional agility: ability to shift quickly between tasks and regulate emotions
• Comfort interacting with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Enjoyment of helping others and a willingness to jump into tasks across departments
• Basic computer skills (email, scheduling, data entry)
• High school diploma or equivalent
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in various environments, including office and community settings.
• Ability to perform essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
• May require occasional lifting (up to 25 lbs), standing, walking, or assisting individuals with mobility needs, if applicable.
• Work environment may include exposure to pet allergens. The Arc maintains a pet-friendly culture, and animals (such as the office cat) may occasionally be present in the workplace. Employees may also encounter pet allergens through donated items or community environments.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Arc of Butte County is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring individuals based on their qualifications and experience, and we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, or other protected status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $18.00 - $22.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $22