Open Position: SOAR Program Assistant

Program Assistant for busy refugee office. Organizing and performing general administrative work, including typing, check listing and reconciliation, filing, meeting arrangements, mail processing, photocopying. Bilingual in English and at least one of the following languages: Spanish, Russian, Nepali or Burmese. Please send cover letter with resume by email to [email protected]. Position open until 5:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20, 2010.

POSITION TITLE: Refugee and Immigrant Services Program Assistant

PURPOSE: To provide effective reception and clerical support services for Sponsors Organized to Assist Refugees, a program of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

ACCOUNTABILITY: To the mission and goals of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon (EMO), as determined by the Board of Directors and as administered by the Executive Director and his/her delegates.

REPORTS TO: SOAR Program Manager

DIRECT REPORTS: None

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Encouraging a spirit of hospitality, organization and friendliness within the workflow of the office.

2. Efficiently and professionally answering and directing incoming telephone calls, providing callers with appropriate information and greeting and assisting clients and others who come into the office.

3. Organizing and performing general administrative work, including typing, check listing and reconciliation, filing, meeting arrangement, mail processing, photocopying, errands and other tasks as assigned.

4. Maintaining files of minutes, reports, correspondence and provide organization of office area.

5. Assisting facilities staff in keeping reception area, client restroom, clothes closet, shared space and conference areas, etc. neat and clean.

6. Maintaining adequate level of office supplies for office.

7. Maintaining and updating database mailing lists.

8. Providing clerical support for Program Manager and other staff as assigned.

9. Participating fully and professionally in staff trainings and meetings.

10. Coordination of SOAR volunteers including assisting in program planning and administration, recruitment, screening and placement, orientation and training, supervision, motivation and recognition, and evaluation.

11. Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ability to work within the mission, vision and ethics of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.

2. Willingness and ability to work with people of diverse ethnicity, socio-economic circumstance, religion, culture and sexual orientation.

3. Bilingual in English and at least one of the following other languages: Spanish, Russian, Nepali or Burmese.

4. Must be able to operate telephone switch board system.

5. Ability to use software and computer with accuracy, using full keyboard skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and database (Microsoft Office Suite 2003--Word, Excel, Publisher, and Access--and Adobe PageMaker).

6. Knowledge of check reconciliation procedures.

7. Ability to accurately follow instructions.

8. High tolerance for ambiguity and change.

9. Experience and/or demonstrated ability to carry out the responsibilities of the position.

10. Must be able to occasionally lift items of approximately 25 lbs.

11. Skills/abilities and/or education/experience necessary to perform the duties of the position.

12. High-level organization and prioritization skills and ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor.

13. Ability to calmly handle many tasks in fast-paced office environment.

WORK HOURS: Full time position

SALARY RANGE: $12 - $15 per hour.

BENEFITS: All regular employees (does not include on-call or temporary) are eligible for vacation, holidays, sick leave, credit union, employee assistance program, retirement savings and employee trainings. Employees in exempt positions which are at least .50 FTE or non-exempt positions which are 20 hours per week or more, also receive medical insurance, dental insurance, disability insurance and life insurance, per eligibility requirements.

LOCATION: Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's SOAR program site (2906 NE Glisan, Portland), and other sites as assigned.