PROGRAM ASSOCIATE

BASIC FUNCTION:

Under the supervision of the assigned manager, responsible for creating and implementing community outreach, fundraising, volunteer and participant recruitment, fostering school-community relations, assisting with the implementation of educational programs, and other activities and initiatives to support multiple programs within the Santa Barbara County Education Office.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

Provide support for fund-raising and  volunteer and/or participant recruitment and coordination of programs to include but not limited to data entry, creating and processing of direct mail, database management, outreach to donors, volunteers, and program participants, including direct verbal and written solicitations. Follow-up, track, train, and schedule volunteers and/or participants into school- and community- based activities that support students and schools. Responsible for creation, implementation and maintenance of fundraising, donor and volunteer and/or participant databases. Maintain positive and ongoing relationships with school sites and staff. Responsible for event coordination, scheduling and preparing staff and volunteers and/or participants for meetings, maintain calendars, make travel and entertainment arrangements. Prepare electronic presentations and  present to both large  and small groups. Identify partnerships with community organizations and non-profits that can support students and schools. Recruit, schedule, place, and support volunteers and/or participants and community resources into activities that support school sites and non-profits. Assist with project monitoring and fidelity. Assist with planning and maintaining a working budget; prepare sophisticated reports, letters, and memoranda that contain complex and sensitive information about individuals and organizations involved in the program; track progress of projects until completed. Research grant opportunities and assist with the completion of grant applications. Be responsible for prompt responses for requests from donors, members of the community, SBCEO staff, and volunteers. Other duties as assigned as it pertains to the essential functions of the job.

KNOWLEDGE:

Role, services and functions of the County Education Office as they relate to school districts, community agencies, county government, state offices and national organizations. School and community demographics and needs. Structure and processes of public education system and community resources. Sufficient human relation skills to make formal presentations, facilitate group processes, and review volunteer and/or participant performance. Field of philanthropy and charitable giving. Grant making process. Local nonprofit and/or business community. Excellent computer skills to include industry standard software applications  and familiarity  with databases.  Advanced administrative  assistant methods and responsibilities. Modern administrative office practices, procedures, and equipment. Excellent telephone techniques and etiquette. Excellent report  writing techniques. Excellent English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Exceptional verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills that foster positive relationships with diverse populations. Demonstrate keyboarding/typing skills and speed as required by the assignment. Interpersonal relations using tact, patience, and courtesy.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

High school graduation and two years of college level instruction. Four years experience in a responsible administrative or program support position, including one-year experience working with locally based foundations, non-profits, businesses, schools, and/or community organizations.

ABILITIES:

Quickly acquire knowledge of County Education Office organization, operations, policies and objectives. Organize, plan, and control work assignments and projects involving a multiplicity of components and staff/volunteers/participants to achieve goals and objectives. Perform varied, complex tasks. Compose correspondence and written materials

independently, edit and proofread documents. Work independently. Maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of work. Prioritize duties and achieve planned goals for complex programs meeting all schedules and timelines. Establish and maintain effective cooperative working relationships with various staff, volunteers, program participants, community members and organizations.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:

As incumbent will travel to different sites and locations within the county, the Office requires possession of a valid California Class C driver’s license and insurance coverage as required by law. 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Office environment where minimal safety considerations exist; occasional evenings and weekends attending events and meetings.