Program Assistant - Hope House

The Salvation Army Southern California•San Francisco, CA

About The Position

The Program Assistant is a frontline worker at Hope House who helps maintain a safe, peaceful, and secure environment for clients in the extended recovery program. The role supports clients as they begin addressing aspects of their lives and is responsible for maintaining the program’s safety, integrity, and security. The Program Assistant documents daily activities and performs administrative functions that support program operations. The position involves monitoring facility access, conducting security and wellness checks, enforcing house rules, supporting medication observation and client testing, responding to incidents and emergencies, and assisting with client admissions and exits. It also includes telephone and mail duties, maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality, and supporting a healthy, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment. Spanish-bilingual Program Assistants provide verbal and written communication for Spanish-speaking participants and receive a bilingual premium.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
First Aid and CPR certification within the first 14 days of employment; provided by the company.
Tuberculosis clearance within the first 14 days of employment; provided by the company.
Experience and ability to work successfully with substance abuse, mental illness, and other potential barriers to self-sufficiency.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and modern office equipment.
Integrity in handling sensitive information confidentially.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to multitask with follow-through.
Cultural competence and ability to work with a highly diverse population.
Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and a trauma-informed environment.
Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Nice To Haves

California driver's license.
Bilingual in Spanish.

Responsibilities

Perform all duties according to policy and procedure and the organization's philosophy of care.
Observe all persons entering and exiting the building.
Document, inform, and report incidents and daily activities during the shift.
Remain engaged and responsive to maintain a safe, secure, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for clients.
Maintain appropriate, professional, and ethical boundaries with clients.
Be punctual, flexible, and reliable.
Answer the main facility telephone, take messages, and direct callers as appropriate.
Facilitate medication observation according to policy and procedure.
Support residence searches for contraband and other prohibited items.
Ensure clients follow facility requirements regarding appropriate dress, restricted areas, identification badges, and colored lanyards.
Enforce house rules, procedures, and protocols for clients.
Distribute sorted client mail according to procedure.
Conduct regular security and wellness checks throughout the facility and shift.
Assist the Clinical Team with urine analysis and breath alcohol testing for clients.
Follow privacy and integrity protocols concerning clients and their samples.
Assist with disaster responses, emergency drills, and actual emergencies at the extended recovery facility.
Respond to unusual incidents and notify relevant stakeholders.
Respond to requests for assistance from other Center departments to prevent operational interference or disruption.
Assist with client admissions and exits as directed by the Program Director.
Maintain direction and structured priorities as project scope changes.
Assist with sanitizing high-touch surfaces in the program facility.
For Spanish-bilingual staff, provide verbal and written communication for Spanish-speaking participants.
Perform other related duties as required.