Current Openings

Program Assistant

Status: Full-Time; Hourly; Non-Exempt

Scheduled Work Hours/Location: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm; fully onsite (no remote option)

Reports to: Director of Program Services

Overview: The Program Assistant, under the guidance of the Director of Program Services, is responsible for the initial contact activities of Dougy Center including greeting visitors, supporting answering the phone and directing calls, and providing administrative support primarily to the program staff.

Responsibilities:

General Program

• Ensures Dougy Center is a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere for all who enter, including greeting families, volunteers, and visitors in a professional and caring manner and making sure the physical space also matches that aesthetic

• Responsible for mail pickup, drop off, and processing

• Supports program staff in answering phones and manage main line voicemails. Refers all calls to appropriate staff as needed.

• Communicates important dates and schedules to program team and overall staff, including maintaining group calendars

• Project manages volunteer birthday card program

• Oversees office volunteers and volunteer speakers for community events

• Provides direct administrative support for Director of Program Services; including assisting the Director of Program Services in compiling complete program statistics for Board report and VOCA grant reporting

• Manages media book

• Maintains inventory and orders program supplies for all locations; maintains stocked resources and forms in program closet

• Inputs, manages, and accesses accurate program data in Abila database; oversees family and facilitator files from open to close

• Connects with local and national community partners to keep Resource and Referral Manual and National Directory relevant and accurate

• Supports family orientation process through preparation of printed materials, family information paperwork, and all other resources used; makes reminder calls to promote increased attendance

• Creates attendance sheets for all groups, organized by Group Coordinator

• Supports volunteer facilitator training through organization of applications, preparation of printed materials, processing background checks

• Assists with follow up to closed families and volunteers

• Acts as part of team to provide Volunteer Appreciation Event support; creates volunteer list for years of service

• Provides Dougy Center tours to interested parties from the community

• Assists with program specific incoming in-kind donations, such as managing stuffed animal donations

• Acts as on-site facilities back up to operations team for vendors and other issues that arise

• Provides support as needed for events and trainings, per request

• Collaborates fully with team and completes tasks/projects as assigned by the Director of Program Services

Professional Development

• Stays current on grief/loss/bereavement topics through attendance at professional development opportunities

• Participates in trainings, committees, and events as opportunities arise

General Agency Activities

• Attends meetings relevant to position, including regular supervision with direct supervisor

• Development team support to include event and fundraising assistance as requested

• Project manages Volunteer Gift Baskets for Reflection Benefit

• Contributes to monthly staff report for Board of Directors meeting

• Additional tasks as assigned

Qualifications:

• 3+ years of professional experience in an administrative support role

• Bachelor’s degree in a social service field (or relevant experience) and an understanding of the grief process are extremely helpful

• Excellence in verbal and written communication skills, organizational abilities, attention to detail, adaptability, and computer skills are required

• Demonstrated sensitivity to participant sharing, story and communication of personal grief narratives

• Commitment to the agency’s mission including learning The Dougy Center Model and our organizational framework around death and dying; commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and values

• Ability to work in-person, mostly at our SE Portland location (3909 SE 52nd Ave)

Salary:

• $22 to $25 per hour, depending on experience
  
• Full-time, non-exempt employee status

How to Apply:
Please send a cover letter and chronological resume to our search consultant, Kathy Kniep, at kathy@kathykniep.com, by March 1, 2025. An email acknowledgment will be sent to all applicants within two business days. If you do not receive an acknowledgment within that timeframe, please contact Kathy Kniep, kathy@kathykniep.com or 503-309-3433. All inquiries will be handled confidentially. The position will remain open until filled. Not sure if you should apply? Please call Kathy Kniep with questions at 503-309-4433.

This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities but constitutes a general definition of the position’s scope and function in the organization.

Find additional information here

Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families is committed to providing grief support in a safe place where children, teens, young adults, and their families can share their experiences before and after a death. We provide support and training locally, nationally, and internationally to individuals and organizations seeking to assist children who are grieving. With this mission and with the well-being of all families who are grieving in our community in mind, we will demonstrate Dougy Center’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and specifically, fair and inclusive access to meaningful and relevant resources and services for all people who are grieving in our community. We are committed to engaging in intentional dialogue to foster a community based on our organizational values of respect, integrity, stewardship, and excellence.

Dougy Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the communities we serve. Frequently cited statistics show that women and underrepresented groups apply to jobs only if they think they meet 100% of the criteria. If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, Dougy Center encourages you to apply. We will provide accommodation during the recruitment process upon request. Information received relating to accommodation will be addressed confidentially.