SUN Schools Program and Garden Support Specialist

Position Title:      SUN Schools Program and Garden Support Specialist 

Reports To:           SUN Program Manager

Classification:     30 hours per week, 0.75 FTE

FLSA Status:         Non-Exempt 

Location:               Portland, OR

Compensation:    $24.00/hour 

ORGANIZATION BACKGROUND

Latino Network’s mission is: Leading with love, we cultivate our staff and community as a powerful force for radical social change. We do this through Latino community-driven programs, advocacy, and service. Our work springs from the core belief in Latino community self-determination, that is, the ability of community members to participate meaningfully in the decisions that affect their lives and the lives of their families. We actively partner across a variety of city, county, state, and community organizations to deliver training and support, a wide range of services, as well as influence policy.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Latino Network provides a generous benefits package that includes:

• Health Plans including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Alternative Care
• FSA - Flexible Spending Account for Medical & Dependent Care expenses
• 401k Plan with Match 
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employer sponsored Life, AD&D, and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Leave (Vacation, Sick, Sabbatical)
• Professional development opportunities
• Self - Care perks
• Team and family events

POSITION SUMMARY

The Program Support Specialist provides logistic, planning, and staffing support to our Schools Uniting Neighborhoods Community Schools programs (SUN CS). This position supports established extended day learning for students and families with a focus on garden education. The Program Support Specialist offers the opportunity to learn about Latino Network’s SUN CS programs while providing support to the rest of the SUN CS team with any: data entry, technical assistance, on-site support and coverage for groups, purchasing supplies, and celebrations. This is a position meant to be flexible in meeting the needs of the SUN CS programs and work in collaboration with the teams to offer families and students an amazing experience in our programs.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Learn about the Multnomah County SUN Service System for families in search of resources.
• Shadow and support SUN sites through family engagement activities.
• Substitute as a garden instructor as needed.
• Engage in mandatory team meetings at a site or with the SUN CS team.
• Participate in the department’s Outdoor/Gardening committee.
• Take Part in the team’s fundraising events.
• Enter data and documentation using SUN CS’s database, GroupTrail.
• Participate in outreach events for SUN CS programs.
• Engage in professional development opportunities in SUN CS development.
• Meet administrative deadlines  such as mileage, reimbursements, data, and any reporting needed
• Comply with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and existing confidentiality laws.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Understanding of core SUN system services and annual outcomes for a school site.
• Experience organizing small to large events including: outreach, recruitment, enrollment.
• Bilingual preferred: strong oral and written communication skills in Spanish.
• Bicultural proficiency: knowledge of Latinx culturally based world view, adaptive reasoning, and problem-solving practices of Latinx individuals, families, and community living in urban neighborhoods impacted by crime, poverty, and racial inequity. 
• Knowledge of and experience working with a strong diversity of families; desire and ability to work cross-culturally. 
• Strong desire to promote educational equity in the community.
• Ability to work well independently and within a team.
• Ability to be flexible and creative in the work environment.
• Ability to coordinate multiple priorities.
• Strong computer skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a combination of the following characteristics: patience, open-mindedness; high level of responsibility; willingness to grow, change and learn; courage; motivation; empathy; compassion; flexibility; persistence; creativity.
• Access to reliable transportation.
• Preference for community members who have participated or volunteered in Latino Network’s SUN CS programs.

ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Successful completion of initial and ongoing employment screens, including but not limited to criminal background and vehicle record as required
• Temporarily working remotely during Covid-19 related office use restrictions in place. Ability to report to physical in person work location including office and in the community (schools, churches, parks, community centers, etc.) as needed.
• Evening and weekend availability required. Work hours are flexible to accommodate program implementation; long hours during peak periods. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.   

TO APPLY

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in joining us in supporting our mission to positively transform the lives of Latino Youth families and communities, please submit your application, resume, and cover letter at:  Careers 

Successful completion of initial and ongoing employment screens, including but not limited to criminal background and vehicle record as required. Latino Network is an equal opportunity employer. We value and support diversity and inclusion to create a culture of dignity and respect.