Program Assistant

JOB PURPOSE:

To support, assist and advocate for all program participants. Provide assistance to individuals with disabilities in all recreation programs.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communication and Outreach

• Provide timely responses to phone calls, voicemail and written materials, whether received by mail, fax, or email sent by NWSRA.
• Treat public complaints and concerns with the utmost attention. Is courteous in all cases.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Supervise participant(s) at program.
• Responsible for participant(s) safety, behavior management and appropriate involvement in activities.
• Act as an advocate for participant(s), provide disability awareness information, and emphasize the individual's abilities and similarities while de-emphasizing the differences.
• Assist in the participation of recreational activities and provide accommodations as needed.
• Attend to participant(s) personal care needs including toileting, feeding and changing.
• Encourage participant(s) in developing friendships with other participant(s) within the program.
• Communicate and contribute with ideas to coworkers.
• Demonstrate creativity and enthusiasm in implementing activities.
• Become actively involved and participate in program activities and tasks.
• Promote good relations with participants, parents, employees, partner agency personnel and community contacts.
• Follow through with direction on assigned task(s).
• Implement and apply the skills and techniques taught through training.
• Communicate with participant(s) during the program in a verbal or non-verbal manner.
• Attend all orientations, meetings and trainings required by NWSRA. Complete make-up training by given date if absent from required trainings.
• Greet parents/guardians, participants, employees and volunteers positively, while smiling and being friendly.
• Monitor participant(s) belongings including bags, towels, lunch boxes, personal electronics, etc.
• When transportation is offered with program(s), responsibilities include engaging, monitoring and addressing, medical, safety and behavioral needs of participant(s).
• When transportation is offered with program(s), assist driver with directions, necessary calls to families and/or NWSRA for assistance, when needed. Communicate any concerns or issues to driver.
• Complete program leader evaluations when asked and submit to Support Services Coordinators as requested.
• Follow agency policy and procedures including payroll procedures.
• Communicate all incidents/accidents from programs to Program Leaders and/or Support Services Coordinators.
• Other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by NWSRA’s Core Values. 

Safety

• Understand safety policies, maintain a working knowledge of all general and departmental-specific safety policies and inspect work and program areas for compliance with safe work practices and policies.
• Enforce safety policies by improving employee and public knowledge while correcting unsafe behavior and conditions.
• Cooperate and assist in the investigation of accidents/ incidents and attends all required safety program and education meetings.

JOB STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS:

Weight Bearing:

• Ability to gather and transfer program equipment and to move heavy recreational equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 60 lbs. and push a wheelchair up to 300 lbs.
• Agility/Flexibility/Balance:
• Ability to safely lift, transfer and/or position individuals with mobility impairments in wheelchairs.
• Ability to kneel, crawl, reach, rotate body position, reach into small spaces and run to maintain interaction with participants in programs who may need individualized assistance or close supervision.

Manual Dexterity:

• Ability to maneuver wheelchairs through narrow or small spaces, such as doorways, washrooms, and vehicles, while operating doors and lifts and lift wheelchairs over obstructions such as curbs, small stairs, and other barriers.
• Ability to manipulate a variety of objects such as eating utensils or G-tubes to perform personal care for participants as well as writing utensils, communication devices and recreation equipment of all types.

Stamina:

• Ability to work a varied schedule of days and hours.
• Ability to drive or ride long distances required for the program.
• Ability to keep pace with active participants who may be aggressive or a flight risk.

Decision Making Skills:

• Ability to work with individuals from all backgrounds and special interests in a respectable manner and to maintain a positive attitude in public places.
• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and handle stress in a calm, professional manner.

Environmental Considerations:

• Ability to perform in a variety of weather conditions, ranging from mild to severe, year round, and in facilities that may range in temperature, and/or have various exposures such as pool chemicals. 
• Ability to perform in outdoor situations where there is potential exposure to poisonous plants, insects, and wild animals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Preferred 16 years of age or older.
• Have an interest or experience working with children and adults with disabilities.
• Demonstrate dependability, promptness, flexibility and punctuality.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm in recreation programming and have the ability to engage in activities requiring physical exertion.
• Willingness to learn and accept new ideas.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.