PROGRAM ASSISTANT

Program Assistant, Disabilities Support Program (DSP)

San José - Evergreen Community College District

Evergreen Valley College

Position Summary

The Program Assistant (Disabilities Support Program, DSP) reports to the Director of Student Health, Wellness, and Accessibility Services.

• Work schedule: 12 months per year, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• This position is grant funded and contingent upon yearly funding.
• This position is represented by CSEA (California School Employees Association), Chapter 363.

Position Purpose

Under the direction of an assigned administrator, performs a wide variety of program-related clerical, operational, and service activities for programs serving a targeted population, focusing on student identification, eligibility verification, and continued participation.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in developing, monitoring, coordinating, and improving specialized college, grant, or categorically funded programs providing supportive services.
• Provide liaison support for students with faculty, staff, and mentors relative to program functions, goals, and objectives.
• Provide information and assistance to students and potential students regarding program requirements and services; assist with the intake process.
• Make recommendations on student eligibility or continued participation in the program, using prescribed regulations or requirements.
• Assist students with college and outside agency procedures, such as registration, completion of forms and documents, and identification of mentors.
• Provide students with specific program resources such as mentors, interpreters, and tutors.
• Coordinate services with and refer students to other college staff, programs, and community mentors or support agencies.
• Maintain program accounts and perform regular bookkeeping activities for financial reporting and documentation.
• Assist in developing and monitoring the program budget and expenditures.
• Confer with students regarding academic and vocational concerns; recommend contact with advisors, mentors, or counselors.
• Collect, compile, and assemble statistical data on program activities and participation from various sources for forms, files, and activity statistics; identify and resolve discrepancies.
• Prepare and maintain students' confidential records and files.
• Compose and type correspondence, memoranda, and statistical materials.
• Assist in preparing reports and budgetary estimates.
• Answer phones.
• Assist in the development and dissemination of relevant program publicity.
• Maintain a master calendar for program staff and make appropriate travel and meeting arrangements.
• May oversee the work of student workers and program tutors.
• Assist in the recruiting and orientation of mentors.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge Of

• Basic functions and programs of a community college or similar educational setting.
• Needs and sensitivities of special and disadvantaged student populations.
• Governmental, community, and social services organizations and their functions.
• Applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Accounting and bookkeeping methods and practices.
• Office administrative practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment, personal computers, and appropriate application software.

Skills And Abilities

• Learn, apply, and explain relevant laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Handle sensitive matters with diplomacy and tact.
• Work with a significant degree of independence in carrying out assigned duties and schedule work to meet deadlines.
• Exercise sound judgment within established guidelines.
• Prepare clear, concise, and complete reports and other written materials.
• Monitor and help prepare a program budget.
• Type at a rate of speed necessary for effective job performance.
• Apply language skills to read and interpret documents; write routine reports and correspondence; and speak effectively before groups.
• Apply mathematical skills to add, subtract, multiply, and divide; convert units of measure; and compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Utilize reasoning to resolve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations with limited standardization.
• Interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Effectively communicate and interact with persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Associate's degree or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
• Six months to one year related experience and/or training.
• Proficient Technological skills.
• Experienced working with students/adults with disabilities.
• Demonstrated sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, gender identity, sexual orientation, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of groups historically underrepresented or that may have experienced discrimination.
• Success integrating diversity into major duties, or demonstrated equivalent transferable skills.