PROGRAM ASSOCIATE - RSG - MARGARET SCOTT ES

Metropolitan Family Service; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 50,696,000 - 52,349,000; Full time

Job summary

Metropolitan Family Service is seeking a Ready, Set, Go! Program Associate to support day-to-day operations at Margaret Scott Elementary School in Portland, OR.

This 30-hour/week, .75 FTE role provides direct support for PCIGs, parenting groups, workshops, and community events, including observations, activity leading, classroom upkeep, and volunteer coordination. The ideal candidate offers at least one year working with families, is bilingual in Spanish, and demonstrates strong time management,

Qualifications

• One year of work with children and families in early childhood, social services, or parenting education.
• Fluency in reading, writing and speaking a language in addition to English (Spanish preferred).
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Experience in a public school setting and/or with the early learning community.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Support Parent-Child Interaction Groups, including set-up and clean-up.
• Assist in planning and co-creating activities with the Program Coordinator.
• Support development of programming with a health and wellness focus, including physical activity.
• Assist with communication and scheduling of classes, assessments, and events.
• Maintain a high-quality early learning environment at Margaret Scott Elementary School.
• Recruit and support training and facilitation for program volunteers.

Skills

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

Associate degree or higher in Early Childhood Education (or related experience)

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Margaret Scott ES - Portland, OR 97230, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 2 Year Degree, Salary Range: $23.67 - $24.38 Hourly, Travel Percentage: Negligible, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, Metropolitan Family Service

Position Description

Position Title: Ready, Set, Go! Program Associate

Reports To: Program Site Coordinators– Ready, Set, Go!

Location: Margaret Scott Elementary School

Dept/Program: Ready, Set, Go! - RSG FTE: .75 FTE (30 hours/week)

Status: Non-exempt

Created: September 2026 Job Number: RSGMS0921

General Description

Metropolitan Family Service position descriptions are guidelines. They are not intended to identify every task that an employee will be asked to complete. They are intended as a general outline of the essential work responsibilities and qualifications of the position.

Agency Culture

• We use creative and proactive problem-solving to build and sustain dynamic community-based programs and quality services.
• We believe in the potential of families and individuals at all life stages and focus on prevention, wellness, and independence.
• We build strong relationships by collaborating with our funders, partners, and highly trained volunteers, always striving for an extensive commitment to diversity.

General Function

Under the supervision of the Program Site Coordinator for the Ready, Set, Go! program, the Program Associate is responsible for providing direct support to the day-to-day operations of the Early Learning and Family Engagement program at Margaret Scott Elementary School. The RSG Program Associate will support in-person Parent-Child Interaction Groups (PCIGs), parenting groups, workshops, community events, and activities. This includes taking observations of program participants to aid in lesson planning, leading physical activity classes, maintaining a clean and safe classroom environment, coordinating volunteers, and building trusting relationships with program participants.

Collaboration

• Ability to work and communicate effectively (both in writing and verbally) with a broad range of individuals and groups
• Ability to collaborate across all program areas of MFS, as well as with other agencies and partners
• Ability and commitment to work effectively in a team-dependent environment
• Ability to connect position responsibilities with the agency’s mission

Program Implementation

• Ability to effectively manage and maintain confidential and sensitive information
• Ability to recognize and respond to critical situations, including adhering to mandatory reporting regulations and responsibilities
• Ability to model appropriate behavior for children and adults, guided by principles of child development
• Ability to work effectively in a team-dependent environment
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines successfully
• Demonstrated flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and responsibilities based on program and participant needs
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in a language in addition to English
• Excellent time management, prioritization, and organizational skills
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement and innovation
• Ability to understand and implement the RSG! philosophy in day-to-day duties

Teamwork

• Ability to work independently and to collaborate with other MFS staff and volunteers and to model effective teamwork skills
• Ability to work in collaboration with school staff
• Ability to collaborate with Reynolds School District departments

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Support all needs for Parent-Child Interaction Groups, including set-up and clean-up
• Support Parent Education classes in English and Spanish
• Assist in planning and co-creating activities with the Program Coordinator
• Support development of programming with a health and wellness focus, including physical activity classes
• Support purchasing needs for RSG programming using MFS-provided funding
• Assist with communication and scheduling of classes, assessments, and events
• Maintain a high-quality early learning and preschool environment in accordance with Ready, Set, Go! standards
• Support co-planning and facilitation of community outings and events by coordinating with partners and other organizations
• Assist with outreach, networking, and recruitment of participants for all RSG programs
• Recruit and support training and facilitation for program volunteers
• Attend regular supervision meetings with Program Coordinators, Program Staff, and the agency
• Organize and maintain program files and documentation as required
• Maintain up-to-date data entry in the agency database, Efforts to Outcomes (ETO)

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

• A minimum of one year working with children and families in the fields of early childhood education, social service, or parenting education
• Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking in a language in addition to English is required
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Knowledge of and ability to uphold classroom health and safety standards
• Ability to provide strength-based resource and referral services to families
• Experience working in a public school setting and/or with the early learning community
• Experience collaborating with a variety of agencies and programs
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-dependent environment
• Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of individuals and groups
• Ability to maintain appropriate and professional relationships with clients and volunteers
• Values working in a multicultural and diverse environment
• Knowledge and competency in operating a personal computer and telephone
• Demonstrated competency in Google platforms, Canva, and database programs
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

CORE VALUES

• Equity & Social Justice
• Values working in a multicultural, diverse environment
• Values and supports inclusion and program access for clients
• Supports agency goals for reducing disparities in outcomes for communities of color and marginalized communities
• Adopts anti-racism approaches to services by understanding and acknowledging systemic and individual racism and privilege

Education and Experience Requirements

• Certification, Associate’s degree, or higher in Early Childhood Education, or a minimum of 2 years of classroom experience in Early Childhood Education (preferred ages 3–5) OR other related educational experience
• Experience working in a classroom with children ages 0-5 and their families. Preference for those with certification and/or advanced training in Early Childhood Education
• Fluency in reading, writing, and speaking in a language in addition to English is required (language: Spanish)

Other Requirements

• Personal transportation that allows timely travel within the Portland metropolitan area. If using a personal vehicle, the individual must maintain a valid driver’s license for their state of residence, carry personal auto liability insurance, and have a driving record that meets the requirements for coverage under the agency’s auto liability policy.

MFS requires all employees and volunteers to complete a criminal background check. We review the results of all background checks individually and consider all of the circumstances of any issues that arise in a background check during the hiring process.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a classroom/office environment, at community events, and/or at other locations as deemed necessary. May require occasional early morning, weekend or evening work. Position requires the ability to stand for extended periods as well as sit occasionally on the floor and child-sized chairs. Position requires use of computer, telephone, copier and may require accessing locations by use of stairs.

Metropolitan Family Service is committed to building a diverse workforce to broaden and deepen our work in the communities we serve. We strongly urge candidates from communities of color, disability, LGBTQIA2S+, linguistically diverse populations, older adults and military veterans to consider application to our positions. MFS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.