Program Assistant

The Salvation Army; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Salvation Army is seeking a Program Assistant to help maintain a safe, supportive environment for clients. The role includes frontline security, documentation, and administrative tasks to support overall program operations.

You will observe activity, assist with medication observation, enforce house rules, and help with admissions and exits while supporting diverse clients with sensitivity and integrity.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• First Aid and CPR certification within 14 days of employment; tuberculosis clearance within 7 days.

Responsibilities

• Observe all individuals entering and exiting the building.
• Document, report, and communicate incidents and daily activities during the shift.
• Maintain a safe, secure, inclusive environment for clients.
• Answer phones, take messages, and direct callers appropriately.
• Facilitate medication observation per policy and procedure.
• Support searches for alcohol, drugs, paraphernalia, contraband, and program violations.
• Enforce client house rules and protocols.
• Distribute sorted client mail.
• Conduct regular security and wellness checks.
• Assist clinical staff with urine analysis and breathalyzer screenings.
• Support emergency responses and drills.
• Respond to incidents and requests from Center departments.
• Assist with client admissions and exits.

Skills

Bilingual in Spanish

Integrity in handling sensitive info

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Trauma-informed practices

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

First Aid and CPR certification

Tuberculosis clearance

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

OVERVIEW:

The Program Assistant helps maintain a safe, supportive environment where clients can begin addressing their personal needs. As a frontline worker, they ensure the Center’s safety, integrity, and security at all times. They also document daily activities and perform administrative tasks that support overall program operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Observe all individuals entering and exiting the building
• Document, report, and communicate all incidents and daily activities during the shift
• Maintain a safe, secure, responsive, inclusive, and non‑discriminatory environment for clients
• Answer phone calls, take messages, and direct callers appropriately
• Facilitate medication observation in accordance with policy and procedure
• Support facility, dormitory, and individual searches for alcohol, drugs, paraphernalia, contraband, and program violations
• Enforce client house rules, procedures, and protocols
• Distribute sorted client mail
• Conduct regular security and wellness checks throughout the facility and shift
• Assist clinical staff in administering urine analysis tests and breathalyzer screenings
• Support emergency disaster responses and emergency drills
• Respond to unusual incidents and notify required personnel
• Respond to assistance requests from other Center departments
• Assist with client admissions and exits
• Other related duties as required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Experience supporting individuals with substance use disorders, mental illness, and related barriers
• Experience with Microsoft programs
• First Aid and CPR certification (within first fourteen days of employment – company provided)
• Tuberculosis clearance (within the first seven days of employment – company provided)

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Bilingual in Spanish (preferred)
• Integrity in handling sensitive and confidential information
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask
• Ability to work with a highly diverse population
• Knowledge of co‑occurring disorders and trauma‑informed practices

EQUIPMENT USED:

• Modern Office Equipment and Relevant Software

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. (usually file boxes)

ADA Statement

Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation. A qualified person with a disability may request a modification or adjustment to the job or work environment in order to meet the physical requirements of the position. The Salvation Army will attempt to satisfy requests if the accommodation needed is reasonable and no undue hardship would result.

Acknowledgment of Religious Purposes of The Salvation Army:

Please note that The Salvation Army has a religious purpose and status as a church. We ask our employees that they do nothing to their relationship with The Salvation Army to undermine its religious mission. Employees must agree and understand that their services are a necessary part of The Army’s religious purposes and their work‑related conduct must not conflict with, interfere with, or undermine such religious programs or The Army’s religious purposes.

At-Will:

Any employment relationship with this organization is of an “at-will” nature, which means that an Employee may resign at any time and the Employer may discharge an Employee at any time with or without cause. It is further understood that this “at will” employment relationship may not be changed by any written document or by conduct unless such change is specifically acknowledged in writing by an authorized executive of this organization.