Program Assistant

The Program Assistant is responsible for the overall management and maintenance of the day-to-day operations of the program, and supporting the staff by providing quality services to the Low Threshold clients. The population of focus includes individuals struggling with homelessness, substance use, and mental health, who may also face multiple barriers to housing. The Program Assistant reports to and is supervised by the Program Director or his/her designee for weekly supervision and programmatic assignments. 

Location: Shepherd House in Dorchester, provides residential treatment programs for 39 women with substance use disorder. The program is three-to-nine months long and helps support the residents with co-occurring conditions, such as mental health and chronic health conditions. Shepherd House also serves pregnant and postpartum women, as well as infants, allowing new mothers to continue their focus on recovery.  

Essential Functions:  

• Act in accordance with Victory Programs, Inc.’s Standards of Excellence & Philosophy Care at all times, including maintaining professional ethics, boundaries and client confidentiality.
• Ensure smooth program operations and a therapeutic, trauma-informed milieu.
• Responsible for ordering, purchasing, picking up, delivery and inventory of food and supplies.
• Provide guidance to residents participating in food preparation (including menu planning, proper food storage, sanitary and safety etc.).
• Manage linen supplies, including keeping inventory, ordering, distribution, collection and laundering, and coordinating laundry activities as necessary.
• Ensure that the program is maintained in a state of good repair, orderliness and is a safe hazard-free environment.
• Ensure safety standards are being met at all times and conduct monthly fire drills for residents.  
• Represent program at bimonthly agency-wide Safety Team meetings.
• Maintain cleaning schedule for the program space including but not limited to taking out rubbish, sweeping and mopping when needed.  
• Assign and provide guidance/supervision of client daily chores.
• Contact the Facilities Department for repairs when needed.
• Collaborate with the Program Director to assure coverage for all shifts including calling relief and/or other staff and arranging coverage staff vacation and/or calls, as needed.
• Assist in the admission of new clients by preparing bedrooms (i.e. cleaning the room, providing linens, pillow, etc.) and searching personal belongings. 
• Assist in the orientation of new clients by completing admission paperwork and giving a tour of the program.
• Provide transportation for program clients, utilizing the program van, time permitting, and as deemed appropriate by the Program Director or his/her designee.
• Provide milieu coverage as needed, including: monitoring and assessing the integrity of the program’s therapeutic milieu; empowering clients to act in accordance with the guidelines of the program; assisting clients in self-administration of medications; conducting controlled substance counts; answering phones and the front door.
• Maintain all documentation related to house management (i.e. work orders; mileage logs).
• Develop, implement, and facilitate and/or co-facilitate client groups and complete required group facilitation documentation. 
• Input client/program data into Electronic Health Records and The Virtual Gateway (ESM).
• Make emergency referrals (e.g. detox programs, DTA, hospital and after care placement).

Non-Essential Functions:

• Attend weekly staff meetings, trainings, seminars, workshops and rallies as requested by the supervisor.
• Represent the program(s) in the community and to designated funders, as requested by supervisor and/or Program Director.
• Participate and support the agency in program holiday events, State House rallies, fundraising and advocacy events, HIV/AIDS rally and walk, and any additional functions.
• Perform any other duty or task that may be requested from time to time by your supervisor or their designee. 

Required Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or equivalent or a minimum of one year work experience in the field of addiction, HIV, and/or mental health or a certificate from a recognized counseling program or course of instruction.
• Must be at least 25 years of age.
• Valid Massachusetts Driver’s license with a positive point rating of 98. 99, 00, 01, 02 or 03.
• Basic knowledge of kitchen management and procedures to ensure safe and sanitary food preparation.
• Ability to work and relate to clients in a helpful, directive, firm, yet compassionate manner.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as a member of a professional team.
• Knowledge of the addiction recovery process, or willingness to acquire it within the first six months of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to work successfully in multicultural settings with diverse client groups.
• Proficient computer skills.
• Current TB assessment (may be obtained upon hire). 
• CPR certification (may be obtained upon hire).
• Three work related references, at least 2 from a supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in the field of addiction or mental health.
• Strong organizational and record-keeping skills.

Position Type: On-site, Full-time (40 hours) Non-exempt, Monday - Friday 7am-3pm

Rate: $23.32 per hour

Victory Programs values a diverse workforce, as we collectively seek to create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments for our employees and the people we serve. We strive to sustain healthy, functioning communities that respect and celebrate different experiences, identities, cultures and ideas.

Victory Programs has helped individuals and families in crisis for over 45 years. Thousands turn to us yearly for shelter, sustenance, recovery, care, and professional, compassionate support. Most struggle with homelessness, substance use and mental health, and many live with HIV/AIDS. Our team of more than 300 staff across over 30+ programs works with people to develop and execute creative, safe solutions to the very real challenges our clients face.

Our benefit program includes a 75% health and 25% dental employer premium contribution, 100% employer paid disability and life insurance. Victory Programs offers a generous paid time off package to all employees including vacation, sick, and personal time as well as holidays. Upon hire, all staff are entitled to up to: 4 personal days, 160 sick hours, 10 holidays and 3 1/2 weeks of vacation. These figures adjust based on full time or part time status and allocated vacation time increases with length of employment.