JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Program Assistant
The Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition seeks a Program Assistant to be part of its small,
dedicated staff team and to be a leader in recruiting and coordinating its many volunteers.
SSIHC is a service-enriched housing provider in Silver Spring, MD serving formerly homeless
families and individuals as they strive toward self-determination and recovering a sense of
community. SSIHC’s program includes offering all residents access to case management as well
as an added layer of friendship and support through “mentor teams” made up of volunteers from
member churches and synagogues and community-based groups.
Responsibilities: The Program Assistant will be in charge of all volunteer support and
coordination activities; take a lead role in recruiting mentors; assist in mentor training and
support; coordinate in-kind donations to SSIHC; assist SSIHC’s professional case managers;
work with volunteers to plan and implement special activities for the children of residents;
participate with other staff in helping to organize special events and fundraising activities; and
help provide some basic office coverage, including fielding and directing calls from clients and
assisting office visitors.
Qualifications: The successful candidate must possess at least a bachelor’s degree; some basic
knowledge of and familiarity with issues related to homelessness, supportive housing, social
service delivery, or volunteerism; a passion for recruiting and assisting volunteers; ability to
maintain confidentiality of clients and records; excellent communications skills; a friendly
outgoing manner and ability to work with diverse set of residents and volunteers; strong
organizational and project management skills; ability to work independently and to manage and
prioritize a diverse set of tasks; basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel,
Power Point). Ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus.
Hours and Salary: The Program Assistant position is a three-quarter time (30 hour/week)
position. The hours are flexible, but some weekend events and evening meetings are required.
The starting salary is $18,750. The anticipated start date is mid- to-late April.
The application deadline for this position is April 4, 2005. SSIHC is an EEO Employer.
Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to: SSIHC Search Committee- 914
Silver Spring Ave. Suite 205, Silver Spring, MD 20910 or ssihc@verizon.net
Job Title: Program Assistant
Job Summary: The Program Assistant is in charge of all volunteer support and coordination
activities, leads efforts to recruit mentors and assists in their training and ongoing support, and
assists with the program and administrative functions of the organization. The Program
Assistant reports to and is supervised by the Executive Director. This position is three-quarters
time (30 hours per week). Hours are flexible, but some weekend events and evening meetings
are required.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Volunteer Coordination and Support
Help develop and maintain volunteer policies and procedures.
Recruit volunteers from congregations and the community.
Coordinate volunteer groups for, and help organize, property maintenance projects.
Manage furniture donations and organize volunteers to pick up and deliver furniture to
residents.
Help find and work closely with office volunteers.
Recognize volunteers at agency meetings and events.
Maintain data base of volunteers and log of volunteer hours.
Mentor Recruitment and Support
Help develop and maintain mentor policies and procedures.
Keep mentor notebook current.
Recruit mentors from member congregations and appropriate community-based groups.
Assist case managers and executive director plan and lead mentor orientations and
trainings.
Act as a liaison between the case managers and the mentors.
Coordinate and attend mentor meetings as necessary.
Maintain database of mentors and a log of mentor hours.
Recognize mentors at agency meetings and events.
Assist new mentors in completing background checks and fingerprinting.
Program Support --
Assist case managers with HOC documentation process, preparing units for resident
turnover, and community referrals.
Plan activities for children in the program to do with their mentors.
Find community resources for the children in the program (tutoring, summer camps, etc.).
Coordinate the collection of in-kind donations for the residents, including at holidays.
Other Organizational Responsibilities
Attend Board meetings and Annual Meeting
Assist as needed with educational events, including pre-Walkathon school and
congregational events.
Attend Program, Membership, or possibly other committee meetings when specially
requested.
Represent SSIHC at community meetings as needed and as time permits.
Office and Administrative Support
Help respond to routine correspondence.
Help respond to and direct telephone calls, especially from clients or calls about
donations.
Assist as needed with the production of documents and mailings.
Maintain volunteer database.
Additional duties as assigned by the executive director.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Bachelor’s degree or higher
Basic knowledge of and familiarity with issues related to homelessness, supportive housing,
social service delivery, or community development
Passion for recruiting and assisting volunteers
Ability to maintain confidentiality of clients and records
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Friendly outgoing manner and ability to work with diverse set of residents and volunteers
Strong organizational and project management skills
Ability to work independently, to manage a diverse set of tasks, and establish priorities
Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point) with knowledge of
Giftmaker Pro a plus.
Ability to communicate in Spanish a plus.
SSIHC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any applicant on the
basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other
class protected by federal or state law.