Demo

Program Assistant - Emancipation

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD
Houston, TX Full Time
POSTED ON 4/14/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 5/8/2026
Brief Description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD (“The HARRIS CENTER”) is looking for a Program Assistant - Emancipation Center to join our team. The Program Assistant utilizes a combination of administrative and secretarial skills to support the department. This position will interface internal and external providers and vendors. Primary duties include on-site coordination of facility maintenance, emergency response/disaster preparedness, supply/food purchasing and delivery, paraprofessional schedules/coverage, and liaising with external vendors as necessary. The Program Assistant will respond to routine requests and use judgment and initiative (with supervisory consultation) to determine necessary response/action in non-routine situations.

What You Will Do

  • Communicates and works with callers, patients, staff and visitors appropriately, demonstrating a professional, polite and culturally sensitive manner.
  • Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
  • Works collaboratively with Agency stakeholders to fulfill requests and/or share the required information.
  • Provides new paraprofessional staff with orientation and on-site training.
  • Obtains the additional access required for on-site job responsibilities (i.e. med carts, lab access, and maintaining key counts) for designated staff.
  • Maintain program databases and spreadsheets tracking admissions, discharges, census, and incidents.
  • Coordinates duties and maintains accurate accounting on the following: facility repairs and workorders; ordering office and program supplies; and inventory control.
  • Compiles and enters data for all paraprofessional leave time in KRONOS (i.e. enter work schedule) and ensures 24/7 paraprofessional coverage of the department.
  • Complies with The Harris Center policies and procedures and contractual requirements including punctuality, attendance and access to the facility.
  • Maintains staff and consumer safety.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned.
  • Customer (i.e. patients, visitors, and contractors) and staff inquiries are courteously attended to; good business relations exits with customers with no more than for (4) documented substantiated complaints during a 12-month period.
  • Designated reports are submitted accurately and within established timeframes (no more than two (2)documented exceptions during a 12-month period).
  • Accurate recording of equipment, supplies, and monitoring logs (no more than four (4) documented exceptions during a 12-month period).
  • Confidential information and sensitive data in regard to patients and employees and the Agency is protected at all times (No documented exceptions during a 12-month period).
  • Professional image and behavior are maintained in accordance with Agency policy and procedures (no more than two (2) exceptions during a 12 month period).
  • Special Projects and work order requests are completed within established timeframes (no more than two (2) documented exceptions within a 12-month period.

Education Required

What qualifications you will need:

  • High School Diploma or General Education diploma
  • Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university preferred.

Experience Required

  • 3 years of related work experience required
  • Demonstrate the ability to deliver professional customer service in a collaborative environment with many stakeholders.
  • De-escalation & behavior management experience preferred.

Required Knowledge, Skills/Abilities

  • Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, Power Point and Outlook.
  • Knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.
  • Possess strong verbal and written communication skills and interact effectively at all levels within the organization.
  • Possess critical thinking, problems solving and listening skills.
  • Must have well-developed interpersonal, organizational and collaborative skills with a desire to provide a high level of customer service.
  • Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of all work-related matters.

What Else You Should Know

  • This posting is associated with position ##70286, 70287, 70288
  • Work location: 419 Emancipation Ave., Houston, TX 77003

What We Have To Offer

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

About Us

The HARRIS CENTER is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023!

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

Salary.com Estimation for Program Assistant - Emancipation in Houston, TX
$74,767 to $98,406
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