Program Aide

Description

Summary/Objective: 

Under the leadership of the Casework Coordinator, the Program Aide helps support program operations and Foster Care Program staff. The Program Aide assists various program staff with their daily job responsibilities and regularly supervises visitation and transports foster youth to/from visits and/or appointments.  The Program Aide provides coverage during staff vacancies and/or planned time off.

Essential Functions:

1. Sorts and distributes mail.

2. Processes outgoing mail (ie: First Class, UPS, FedEx, etc).

3. Performs various clerical duties: typing, copying, filing, etc.

4. Ensures the office has ample supplies for staff to include printer paper, printer ink, etc.

5. Schedules vehicles for staff, as requested.

6. Takes meeting notes during staff meetings and distributes electronically to program staff.

7. Able to accommodate last minute requests to include supervising visits, completing transports and assisting Case Planners with miscellaneous tasks to meet the needs of the Foster Care Department.

8. Transports children and families as requested.

9. Regularly supervises visitation between foster youth and their birth parents/discharge resource

10. Enters dictation into Connections, as needed.

11. Attends meetings for Foster Care Case Planners, to include SPR’s, CSE meetings and case conferences, as requested, to meet the needs of the Department.

12. Conduct Foster Home Plant Inspections as requested.

13. Attends outside trainings, as requested or required.

14. Attends scheduled medication management and court appearances when requested.

15. Exhibits and practices sensitivity and understanding of culturally diverse populations.

16. Communicates clearly and logically both orally and in writing.

17. Possesses proficient time management and organizational skills.

18. Practices patience and understanding and is supportive of youth and families.

19. Able to establish a professional rapport with the youth and families to develop trust and help them to better understand their needs and goals.

20. Maintains professional boundaries at all times with clients and staff.

21. Work as a member of a cohesive team.

22. Required to have own vehicle and the ability to drive legally.

Special Requirements:

Work Environment: Office environment will require occasional travel to recruitment events, local schools, community settings, conferences and/or meetings and moderate travel within the community to include off-site/in-home visits. May have contact with service recipients that are agitated and/or are in crisis. Some risk involved working with service recipients with mental illness. Works in an office setting with a controlled temperature environment. Occasional exposure to inclement weather conditions may occur depending upon assignments. 

Equipment: This position is required to maintain a working knowledge of related office equipment including personal computers and printers, audio-visual equipment, telephone systems, copiers, fax machines, etc.

Physical Demands: Must be able to sit, stand, walk, lift, carry, push/pull, climb, bend, and stoop. Must be able to perform fine motor skills, read, and type. Must be able to sit for long periods of time. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time, Hours are flexible to the needs of the program including nights and weekends. This position is required to work on-site, and offsite/in home visits. 

Travel:

Travel is required throughout service area (Jefferson, Lewis, Oswego, and St. Lawerence County).

Required Education and Experience: 

Bachelors Degree. Experience working in child welfare, preferred. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Coached Visitation Certification, TCI and GPS/MAPP Certification, a plus.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge:

Strong organizational abilities and office skills are essential for this position. This person must also have excellent people skills and be a team player. Ability to work with diverse populations. Must demonstrate effective and excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work cooperatively with others. Must be detail-oriented and possess excellent time-management skills. Requires self-direction, tact, diplomacy, and the ability to be clear, courteous, and professional. Able to react to change productively and handle other duties as assigned.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications: 

Must maintain privacy of confidential information. Successful completion of routine pre-employment requirements as mandated by the New York State Department of Health, Office of Mental Health and Office of Children and Family Services along with ongoing clearances and exclusion checks. These requirements are to include employment health requirements, reference checks, criminal background checks/fingerprinting, State Central Registry clearance and your eligibility to work in the United States. A valid NYS driver’s license required. Corporate Compliance, HIPAA Privacy Security, and Workplace Harassment and Discrimination Training and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention, First Aid and CPR will be required following date of hire.

Employee signature below constitutes employee's understanding of the requirements, essential functions and duties of the position.