Program Assistant

The Salvation Army USA Western Territory; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-profit organization in San Francisco is looking for a Program Assistant to provide a safe environment for clients. Responsibilities include observing building entry, documenting incidents, and enforcing house rules. The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma, experience in substance abuse issues, and strong organizational skills. This role provides crucial support to facilitate clients' progress in a secure and inclusive atmosphere, with required certifications provided by the company.

Qualifications

• Experience working with issues of substance abuse and mental illness.
• First Aid and CPR certification required within fourteen days.
• Tuberculosis clearance required within seven days.

Responsibilities

• Observe all persons entering and exiting the building.
• Document all incidents and daily activities.
• Maintain a safe and secure environment for clients.

Skills

Integrity to handle sensitive information

Excellent organizational skills

Bilingual in Spanish

Ability to work with a highly diverse population

Knowledge of co-occurring disorders

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office programs

Modern Office Equipment

Job description

Feb 07, 2026

OVERVIEW

The Program Assistant assists in providing our clients a safe environment so they can begin addressing aspects of their lives in a peaceful setting. The Program Assistant is a frontline worker responsible for maintaining the safety, integrity, and security of the Center always. The Program Assistant documents all daily activities and carries out administrative functions to support the program and its overall operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Observe all persons entering and exiting the building
• Document, inform, and report all incidents and daily activities that occur during the shift
• Maintain a safe, secure, responsive, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for clients
• Answer the telephone, take messages, and direct callers as appropriate
• Facilitate medication observation according to policy and procedure
• Support searches in the facility, dormitories, and individual(s) for all alcohol, drugs, drug paraphilia, contraband, and program violations including food and electronics
• Enforce house rules, procedures, and protocols for clients
• Distribute sorted client mail
• Regular security and wellness checks throughout the facility and the shift
• Assist the program department clinical staff in administering U.A. (Urine Analysis) test(s) and/or Breathalyzer for program participants
• Assist in emergency disaster responses and emergency drills
• Respond to all unusual incidents and notify all required staff
• Respond to calls for assistance from other departments of the Center
• Assist in the admissions and exits of clients
• Other related duties as required

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• High school diploma or equivalent (required)
• Experience working with issues of substance abuse, mental illness, and other potential 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

• Integrity to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task
• Bilingual in Spanish (preferred)
• Ability to work with a highly diverse population
• Knowledge of co-occurring disorders and trauma-informed environment

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High School or Equivalent (required)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.