Program AssistantCreekside Community Center

Program Purpose

The Creekside Center serves as an integral part of UCM’s service to the community through our strategic continuum of care. The primary focal areas of service the Creekside Center provides area; 1) access to resources through UCM, Fairfax County and our partners to provide emergency and basic needs (health referrals, financial empowerment, and employment assistance, 2) after-school and summer programs for school-aged children and youth, 3) development and training of community residents to become community leaders and advocates.

Position Overview

The Program Assistant is responsible for the provision of services involving the five focal areas of the Opportunity (ON) Neighborhood strategies: 1) family and community engagement, 2) connecting with and motivating youth, 3) assisting children and families with school readiness, education and literacy, 4) family-wide service referrals and navigation, and 5) workforce readiness and student career preparedness. The work of the CreeksideCenter is a collaborative effort of UCM staff, County services, school resources and community partners. Further, this position also coordinates with UCM’s Forward Steps program to provide the following services for school-aged children and youth; 1) academic improvement through tutoring, 2) instruction and training in social skills, and 3) increased engagement by parents through school and social activities.

Performance Measures

  • Work collaboratively with the Coordinator, Creekside Community Center, other UCM programs and the ON Strategy Manager to ensure all five focal areas of ON are delivered to all residents of the Creekside community.
  • Assist in executing the appropriate strategies to ensure that the number of residents engaged grows by at least 20% per year.
  • Assist with program and presentation at Resident Council meetings on a monthly basis.
  • In conjunction with your immediate supervisor, set weekly, monthly and annual goals, aligned to ON strategies and UCM’s Strategic Vision, and ensure that those goals are met or exceeded.
  • Work with the Creekside Community Center Coordinator to develop a monthly calendar of events that ensures that services can be adequately delivered to all age and ethnic segments of the constantly changing Creekside population.
  • Maintain relationships with present community partners and strategically engage in outreach activities and events to reach new partners.
  • In the absence of the Creekside Community Coordinator, attend all appropriate Fairfax County and Route One communitymeetings and events.
  • Gather, enter and analyze data, in the UCM database, derived from the community as a means of constantly evaluating needs and responses required by the community. Based on the data analysis, amend programing/training efforts in response to client evaluation and feedback.
  • Maintain the program in full compliance with all contract and funder stipulations and requirements. Work with the Coordinator, Creekside Community Center, to provide requisite reports and statements of program performance as may be required.

Keys/Predictors of Success

A successful Coordinator will demonstrate the following results:

  • A vibrant and active community center with a daily range of activities that engages the maximum number of Creekside residents.
  • A strong collaborative effort engaging local schools, County services, UCM services and a wide-ranging number of local community partners.
  • Parents actively engaged in the education and life of their children
  • The emotional, mental and physical health of the residents is improved
  • Job-aged residents are assisted and referred for training and employment with the goal of families and individuals fully reaching self-sufficiency and financial stability.
  • Literacy training is available to all ages.

Job Scope

Position reports to: / Coordinator, Creekside Community Center
Supervisory Accountability: / None
Organizational Accountability: / Assists in coordinating one of UCM’s ten program areas
Client Accountability: / Focused on serving the residents of the Creekside community.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Level of Education – Two year or four-year degree in Social Services, Education, Human Services, Community Health preferred.
  • Level of Experience – a minimum of 2 years in a related job capacity
  • The following skills are essential to this position
  • LEADERSHIP - Proven ability to foster collaborations across diverse constituencies in a low income community and inspire confidence and motivate all ages and ethnic groups to collectively meet common objectives. Strong experience in participatory leadership.
  • RESULTS ORIENTATION - Demonstrated strong skills and a track record for sustained measurement of program outcomes, ability to work independently and with and through others to achieved desired results.
  • Skills Required
  • Bi-lingual (English/Spanish) is preferred
  • Proficiency in database use (entry and report analysis) and Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word and Excel)
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
  • Ability to work flexible hours if needed and limited evenings and weekends
  • Able to meet U.S. Department of Justice and Virginia Child ProtectiveService requirements for employment verification and background checks.

Travel

Travel to and from satellite UCM locations and meeting sites within a 3-15-mile radius is expected. Mileage reimbursement is provided.

EEO Statement

UCM provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UCM prohibits discrimination against any applicant or employee based on any legally-recognized basis, including, but not limited to veteran status, uniformed service member, status, race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local law. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

Other Duties

Such other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission and abide by our Organization’s Values.

To Apply:

Candidates for the position of Program Assistant, Creekside Community Center should submit the following;

  • Letter of Interest
  • Resume

Submit documents to . Compensationis commensurate with experience and includes a competitive benefit package. Additional information about United Community Ministries is available at