Program Assistant

The Harris Center; Georgia; On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The Harris Center is seeking an experienced Program Assistant to provide administrative and secretarial support to the department. This role interfaces with internal and external providers, vendors, and staff, coordinating facility needs, emergency readiness, procurement, and staffing coverage.

Key duties include maintaining databases, tracking admissions and incidents, and ensuring accurate records. Strong communication and confidentiality are essential in this position.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• 3 years related work experience preferred.
• Demonstrated professional customer service in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• De-escalation and behavior management experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate facility maintenance and on-site operations.
• Assist with emergency response and disaster preparedness.
• Handle supply and food purchasing and delivery.
• Schedule paraprofessionals and ensure 24/7 coverage.
• Maintain program databases and tracking spreadsheets.
• Coordinate with internal/external stakeholders and vendors.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and confidentiality.

Skills

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

MS PowerPoint

MS Access

HIPAA

Verbal communication

Written communication

Organizational skills

Customer service

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

KRONOS

Job description

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, known as "The HARRIS CENTER," is seeking an experienced Program Assistant to join our team. The Program Assistant utilizes a combination of administrative and secretarial skills to support the department. This position will interface internal and external providers and vendors. Primary duties include on-site coordination of facility maintenance, emergency response/disaster preparedness, supply/food purchasing and delivery, paraprofessional schedules/coverage, and liaising with external vendors as necessary. The Program Assistant will respond to routine requests and use judgment and initiative (with supervisory consultation) to determine necessary response/action in non-routine situations.

Your role in Action:

• Communicates and works with callers, patients, staff and visitors appropriately, demonstrating a professional, polite and culturally sensitive manner.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Works collaboratively with Agency stakeholders to fulfill requests and/or share the required information.
• Provides new paraprofessional staff with orientation and on-site training.
• Obtains the additional access required for on-site job responsibilities (i.e. med carts, lab access, and maintaining key counts) for designated staff.
• Maintain program databases and spreadsheets tracking admissions, discharges, census, and incidents.
• Coordinates duties and maintains accurate accounting on the following: facility repairs and work orders; ordering office and program supplies; and inventory control.
• Compiles and enters data for all paraprofessional leave time in KRONOS (i.e. enter work schedule) and ensures 24/7 paraprofessional coverage of the department.
• Complies with The Harris Center policies and procedures and contractual requirements including punctuality, attendance and access to the facility.
• Maintains staff and consumer safety.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

What qualifications you will need:

Education:

• High School Diploma or General Education diploma
• Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university preferred.

Experience:

• 3 years related work experience
• Demonstrate the ability to deliver professional customer service in a collaborative environment with many stakeholders.
• De-escalation & behavior management experience preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, Power Point and Outlook.
• Knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills, and interact effectively at all levels within the organization.
• Possess critical thinking, problems solving and listening skills.
• Must have well-developed interpersonal, organizational and collaborative skills with a desire to provide a high level of customer service.
• Ability to maintain absolute confidentiality of all work-related matters.

About us:

The Harris Center is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provides care to over 90,000 people and has an annual budget of over $300 million.

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The Harris Center provides a full continuum of services at 80 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the largest communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.

What else you should know:

• This posting is associated with position #1270.

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching – a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

Contributes to suicide care and prevention by embracing our values and applying a trauma-informed approach rooted in safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.