Program Assistant

Description

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California began in December 1944 when a group of Lutheran congregations in San Diego came together to discuss how to better assist families in need. They began discussing how to form a Welfare Commission. Their vision expanded when they came together with another group of Lutheran congregations in Los Angeles having the very same conversation. Lutheran Social Services of Southern California was officially incorporated in 1946 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit social service agency. The mission has stayed true to its earliest beginnings, to be a servant to those in need. Today LSSSC serves thousands of individuals and families throughout Southern California with over 45 programs/services at 18 locations. We are part of the Lutheran Services in America (LSA) network and strive to serve those in need with dignity and respect.

Lutheran Social Services of Southern California’s Mission: Ignited by faith, we live out God’s love by embracing, equipping and

empowering vulnerable individuals, families and communities toward self-sufficiency.

Requirements

Part-Time position between 20-24 hours per week. 

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Serve clients and visitors by greeting, welcoming in a professional manner, and directing them appropriately.
2. Inform prospective clients of the full range of services available within the organization.
3. Answer and address incoming phone calls, emails in a timely and polite manner and provide resources to clients seeking assistance.
4. Assist with setup and breakdown for community partners and service providers who table-on site.
5. Sweep and maintain the cleanliness of the front of the building each morning before program opening hours.
6. Report graffiti, bulky items, or illegal dumping to the city using the appropriate reporting system.
7. Perform data entry into the Apricot 360 database system and the HMIS for clients seeking services.
8. Gather information, data, and assist with food bank reports and PSH Match.
9. Help coordinate volunteer activities, meetings, and training as assigned.
10. Provide clerical support including, but not limited to, filing documents accurately, maintaining equipment, and reporting any malfunctions.
11. Provide coordination with unloading food and assisting volunteers as needed.
12. Ensure food is ordered and delivered properly from the Food Bank and Fresh Harbor Market.
13. Assist with sign-up of educational programs, workshops, and community events.
14. Other related duties, as assigned.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements

listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made

to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• The ability to identify with the goals and values of a church-related social service agency including an understanding of and ability to work within the missions and organizational functions of Lutheran Church bodies and congregations.
• An orientation and perspective on helping reflected in attitude of acceptance, compassion, and respect for others. 
• An ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. 
• The ability to assemble information and prepare reports. 
• Basic computer and clerical skills. 
• The ability to accept direction and make effective use of supervision. 

Education and Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent. Experience working or volunteering in a food pantry or community services is a plus. Strong communication, organizational, and customer service skills. Some college courses in Social Work, Psychology, or a related human services field. 

Communication: Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively with clients and staff. 

Math Ability: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. 

Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. 

Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Word Processing software and Spreadsheet software. 

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. 

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear.