Front Desk Receptionist (On-Call)

Channing House•Palo Alto, CA

9h•$27 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Front Desk Receptionist serves as a central point of communication, resident services, administrative assistance, and safety and security support at Channing House properties. The role may be assigned to either Channing House or Arris based on operational needs. The receptionist completes cross-training and provides coverage across both locations; specific duties and procedures may vary by assigned location. The position supports a safe, welcoming, and vibrant home for residents while demonstrating the values of doing the right thing, being a team player, focusing on quality, and adapting to change. The receptionist greets and assists residents and visitors, handles calls and inquiries, maintains reception communications, processes mail and deliveries, provides administrative and bookkeeping support, and keeps reception and mailroom areas organized. The position also helps maintain facility security, follows emergency and safety procedures, responds to incidents, and coordinates with staff and vendors as needed. The role requires flexibility to work nights, weekends, and some holidays based on operational needs, and may require travel between locations during scheduled work hours.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to use a computer and smartphone.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Adobe, the internet, and scheduling software.
Ability to speak and comprehend English.
Adult CPR/AED/First Aid certification; training is provided on the job.
Travel between Channing House and Arris may be required during scheduled work hours; travel arrangements are coordinated based on operational needs.
Ability to work nights, weekends, and some holidays based on operational needs.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including prolonged sitting, computer and phone use, coordination, reaching, bending, stooping, pushing or pulling, regularly moving 10 pounds, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Demonstrated communication, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, service orientation, customer service, social perceptiveness, time management, professionalism, quality management, safety awareness, active learning, cultural awareness, judgment, problem solving, monitoring, organizational support, teamwork, and accounting skills.
Demonstrated abilities including oral and written communication, deductive reasoning, problem sensitivity, speech clarity, learning, information ordering, ethics, positivity, presentability, quality, punctuality, dependability, discretion, adaptability, attention to detail, multitasking, and remaining calm under pressure.

Nice To Haves

Three to six months of receptionist experience preferred; equivalent combinations of education and experience are welcomed.
Ability to speak and/or comprehend languages used by clients other than English.
Familiarity with the AVAYA telephone system, two-way communicators and radios, emergency public address announcement system, and access control doors.

Responsibilities

Greet and assist residents and visitors, respond to questions, and direct inquiries to the appropriate person or department.
Answer and redirect telephone calls professionally and maintain reception communication logs, email, and bulletin board updates.
Process mail, receive and route deliveries, and assist residents with reservations, lost and found, and related requests.
Provide administrative support, including printing, scanning, copying, mailing resident statements, envelope preparation, data entry, and updating the resident photo directory.
Perform bookkeeping tasks such as entering cash receipts and accounts payable and compiling guest room charges.
Maintain a clean and organized reception area and mailroom; distribute resident newspapers as applicable.
Notify department heads and supervisors of a resident's passing and post the memorial frame as needed.
Monitor transportation request voicemails and coordinate move-in arrangements when assigned.
Maintain facility and resident security by verifying and announcing visitors and monitoring video cameras according to procedures.
Follow safety and emergency preparedness procedures, respond to emergencies, and contact the on-call Administrator, 911, or Palo Alto Police Department when applicable.
Safeguard facility keys and other secured items, maintain key-holder documentation, and protect confidential information under HIPAA and company policy.
Immediately notify Nursing and other staff if a Health Center Roam Alert resident leaves or attempts to leave unescorted.
Act as Incident Command during emergencies when management staff are unavailable; attend required in-service sessions, safety exercises, and meetings.
Coordinate with the on-call Facilities manager and vendors during emergencies and conduct assigned property walks, documenting and reporting concerns while maintaining front desk coverage.
Provide front desk, concierge, resident service, administrative, and safety support at Channing House and Arris as assigned.
Complete cross-training, perform location-specific duties, cover staffing needs, and coordinate between locations to support continuity of service.
Maintain effective team relationships, communicate professionally, support residents, and follow company policies, safety requirements, compliance practices, and business ethics codes.