Program Services Specialist

Child Action is a private, non-profit corporation created in 1976 to promote the education and social welfare of children and families and to advocate on their behalf. Our programs include resource and referral services for families seeking child care, child care subsidies for qualifying families, recruitment and professional development of the child care workforce, and family education and support.

We are seeking individuals who are highly organized, have the ability to multi-task, provide excellent customer service, have good problem-solving skills, and have the ability to understand the challenges facing families from a variety of ethnic and economic communities.

Please note that completing the job application is a mandatory requirement for this position.

Position Purpose & Scope:

The Program Services Specialist has a broad knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures within the field of early childhood education. This position is primarily responsible for providing support services to Community Engagement staff members that assure the provision of accurate and timely information to the public and improve the quality of childcare services in Sacramento County. The Program Services Specialist is responsible for knowing all guidelines, regulations and policies developed or set forth by the Board of Directors and the Director of Community Engagement.

Typical Duties:

• Maintains departmental supplies, office machines, printers, and computer stations.

• Prepares and maintains information packets for Community Engagement

• Makes photocopies, processes departmental mail and faxes.

• Prepares Community Engagement, CARE, and orientation suitcases.

• Maintains publications, duplicating and collating as needed.

• Recommends purchases, inventories and manages receipt of supplies, reconciles orders with the fiscal department, and follows up on discrepancies with vendors.

• Coordinates mass mailing projects, including mail mergers; deliver bulk mailing to Post Office

• Provides administrative and data entry support.

• Develops or assists in the development of forms, templates, worksheets, and record-keeping systems for collection, dissemination, and maintenance of needed information.

• Enters data into multiple databases, double checking for accurate information.

• Maintains monthly TAF report binder.

• Maintains and oversees a variety of records, spreadsheets, logs and filing systems.

• Maintains inventory of books, videos, theme boxes, and equipment in storage areas and in databases.

• Processes requests for loans and returns of borrowed items; follows up on overdue items.

• Cleans and reorders materials in theme boxes and equipment.

• Schedules material pick up and distribution.

• Participates as a contributing member of the Child Action Community Engagement Program

• Integrate strength-based strategies into services provided to parents and childcare providers.

• Participates in Community Education including community fairs and events.

• If bilingual, supports Community Engagement department with translation of materials.

• Attends staff meetings, training, and unit meetings.

• Participates in the assessment, planning, and development of program services.

• Documents and tracks participant activity for program reports and service planning

• Provides technical assistance and referrals to “walk-in” clients.

• Registers and facilitates workshops, training, and educational opportunities for caregivers, childcare professionals, and parents.

• Follow up with clients to complete or correct information.

• Proactively looks for solutions to increase efficiency of workflow.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience:

• AA degree or High school diploma or equivalent education and training sufficient to enable incumbent to perform typical duties; and

• Minimum two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in assigned program area.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Abilities:

• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office, office equipment.

• Intermediate analytical, written, math and computer skills.

• Intermediate verbal communication skills and customer service orientation.

• Broad knowledge of commonly used concepts, practices, and procedures within the field.

• Ability to use experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information.

• Ability to work effectively with others.

• Ability to comply with agency safety and ergonomics policies and practices.

• Must be able to work additional overtime and weekend hours as required.

• Ability to understand the problems and issues facing families from a variety of ethnic and economic communities and provide information and services in a respectful and empathetic manner.

• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written or oral form and deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

Physical Factors:

• Works in an office setting. Work is primarily sedentary; but may also work outdoors at field sites on an incidental basis and requires light physical effort; may require greater physical effort on an incidental basis.

• Requires the ability to frequently lift up to 20 pounds on a daily basis.

• Possess visual capability and digital dexterity to operate a computer and other standard office equipment.

• Make fine visual distinctions upon proofreading written documents and viewing information on a computer screen.

• May be subject to various job demands such as high volume of work and tight deadlines.

• This position requires travel. Staff applying for or holding positions will be required to successfully meet Child Action’s motor vehicle requirements.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Supervisory: No

Pay Grade Range: $24.18 - $29.01

Closing Date: Until filled

Hours: Must be able to work full-time, 40.0 hours per week (8.0 hours a day), Monday through Friday. All employees must be able to work additional overtime and weekend hours as required.

Benefits: Cafeteria package for group medical, dental, dependent care reimbursement, and/or out-of-pocket health expenses; 12 holidays; 15 vacation days; 12 health leave days; life insurance; long-term disability insurance; employee assistance program; and 401(k) retirement plan.

• Child Action is an Equal Opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state, or local law.