Community Assistant
Full Time
Yakima, WA 98901
$3,243 - $3,874 a month
Posted 1 day ago
Job description
Overview and Minimum Class Requirements
The Washington Fruit Community Center needs a friendly and outgoing team member who enjoys working in a fast-paced and diverse work environment!
The City of Yakima is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefit package including:
Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage- FREE healthcare clinic!
- WA State PERS pension plan
- 1% contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plan
- Leave accruals:
- Vacation – Starting at 7.67 hours/month
- Sick – 8 hours/month
- Personal holiday – 2 days
- Observed holiday – 11 holidays
- Up to 5% bilingual/biliterate English/Spanish special pay
- Life Insurance
- Much more!
The pay range listed for this position is establish through the City of Yakima’s Master Pay Ordinance in accordance with the Municipal Code and/or the applicable collective bargaining agreement. New employees generally start at step A with progression through the steps based on merit and successful performance evaluation.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
High school diploma or GED and two (2) years of general office/clerical support experience. Experience working with the elderly, youths and/or volunteers is preferred.
LICENSES, REGISTRATION AND CERTIFICATE :
Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License. Obtain and maintain a Basic First Aid/CPR certificate and Food Handler’s Permit within six (6) months of employment.
Job Summary
Under general supervision, performs a variety of responsible, moderately difficult clerical and light maintenance tasks in the day-to-day operation of a Community Center. Typical duties include providing information and assistance to patrons, providing physical assistance, opening and closing the center, general office support functions, development of newsletters, flyers, pamphlets and other informational items, working with volunteers, conducting registrations, receiving various payments, and ensuring the facility is clean, sanitary and stocked. Work is performed with considerable latitude for use of independent judgment in daily matters and is evaluated through direct observation, results achieved, annual performance evaluations and customer satisfaction.
Essential Functions
Receives screens and answers a wide variety of inquiries from the public by phone or in person relating to Community Center(s) programs, activities and facilities. Greets visitors and provides tours of the facility. Assists patrons with information about referral services, meetings, health and fitness activities, field trips, programs, learning opportunities, special events and other activities. May guide patrons to locations within the center. Assists persons with varying ages and levels of physical and mental ability; requiring close physical contact with patrons who may be confrontational, forgetful, incontinent, disoriented and call for medical assistance if necessary. Arranges for transportation through Para-Transit, Yakima School District or other sources as needed. Confirms special program patron appointments, registrations and activities.
Reviews and analyzes programs and recommends changes to address patron interests. Responds to customer concerns or complaints within assigned areas. Advises supervisor of activities, problems and potentially controversial matters.
Opens center in the morning and closes in the evening ensuring facility is secure, appliances are turned off and dangers of fire are eliminated; sets and releases alarm system. Composes, types and distributes letters, memoranda and other correspondence. Updates and maintains information, files, policies, procedures and community center forms. Records daily attendance and maintains reports as required. Operates copy machine, fax machine, desktop computer, telephone and other types of office equipment.
Contributes to the effectiveness of the Parks Division and City government by demonstrating and fostering an attitude that encourages cooperation and coordination of efforts, productive time management, and efficient use of resources. Provides continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively to provide exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.
Writes the monthly newsletter, flyers, pamphlets and similar items using computer environment; prepares copy; designs and produces layout; selects artwork; and solicits and coordinates advertising and subscriptions. Maintains a current mailing list. Coordinates production and distribution with printer, volunteers and the post office.
Writes, edits, designs and produces informational pamphlets and fliers, public service announcements, news releases and other items to promote community center activities. Maintains bulletin board to ensure interest and relevance to activities and seasons. Designs logos and other materials as needed.
Coordinates specific programs with volunteers. Provides daily instruction to temporary staff and volunteers assisting at front desk and with other center activities. Monitors temporary staff and volunteer performance for accuracy and effectiveness. Organizes and produces annual volunteer recognition program.
Receives registrations, payments and deposits for center activities. Schedules facility activities and rentals as necessary. Sets rooms and facilities with tables, chairs or other accommodations depending on activities and needs; moves partitions and provides other related assistance. Cleans facilities between activities as needed. Sells a variety of concessions and other items, makes change and records sales. Completes daily cash out and daily cash transmittals in accordance with City policy; ensures a balanced till.
Advises center supervisor of situations that may affect the center. Fills in for supervisor during absences. Attends various related meetings as needed.
Assists at coffee bar, in kitchen and with preparations for special dinners.
Cleans center as necessary during the day; ensures supplies of towels and toilet supplies; removes tripping, slipping and other hazards as needed. Assists patrons with personal cleanliness and sanitation in urgent situations and cleans and sanitizes facilities as appropriate. Performs light maintenance such as snow removal or simple repairs as needed. Decorates center for various seasons and holidays.
May monitor grant performance to ensure grant goals, timetables and stipulations are met.
Requires regular and reliable attendance.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Major Worker Characteristics
Knowledge of: City policies and procedures, applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, and regulations; professional office practices and procedures; municipal records retention procedures, and techniques; research techniques and data compilation; business arithmetic; standard principles and practices of basic clerical accounting and bookkeeping.
Demonstrates knowledge and sound judgement with regard to public disclosure, and confidentiality standards.
Knowledge of techniques and strategies for dissemination of written and verbal information to a wide range of individuals, including but not limited to managers, staff and members of the public.
Strong working knowledge of: professional office practices, procedures and equipment, including, but not limited to: computers; records and databases; spreadsheets; Microsoft Office Suite including Excel; desktop publishing and industry applications/programs such as Pagemaker 6.0 and later, Photoshop, and others.
Ability to: perform moderately difficult clerical duties; draft a wide variety of documents; efficiently and effectively enter data/information into a computer system with speed and accuracy, maintain records and prepare reports. Ability to operate standard office equipment including but not limited to: computer, fax machine, copy machine, scanner, multi-line telephone etc.
Must be able to professionally communicate clearly and effectively, with a wide variety of people, including, but not limited to: other employees and members of the public, representing diverse education and backgrounds, utilizing well-developed communication skills, both written and oral, with appropriate use of business English, including, but not limited to: correct grammar; vocabulary; letter composition; editing; spelling; and punctuation. Ability to produce newsletters, public service announcements, news releases and other items within strict timetables. Must be able to respond in a diplomatic and confident manner to upset individuals; handle sensitive material with a calm, professional, friendly and patient demeanor; and to understand, provide and follow instructions.
Ability to routinely and regularly maintain confidentiality and discretion through all forms of communication.
Ability to understand and execute complex oral or written instructions; apply extensive or obscure guidelines to a wide variety of work situations; perform a variety of basic mathematical computations with ability to read, interpret and analyze documents and translate analyzed information into reports. Ability to read, research, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Must possess ability to identify and define problems, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to work with self-direction and limited direction or oversight; maintain sustained attention to detail, formulate goals, and work under timeline pressures; prioritize workload; manage multiple tasks with competing deadlines; handle stressful situations, and complete work quickly and accurately while managing multiple interruptions. Strong analytical and organizational skills are essential. Must possess ability to quickly adapt to changing priorities and demands, including, but not limited to, responding effectively in emergencies and to mediate disputes.
Ability to establish, facilitate, and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, community/educational organizations, and other members of the public; to consistently demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and respect to individuals, groups and organizations representing a wide diversity of ethnicities, cultures, opinions, and beliefs; to adapt to mood and personality changes sometimes associated with medications; to train, assist and/or oversee the work of subordinate and/or volunteer staff; demonstrate a willingness to complete a wide variety of tasks as needed with minimal direction or oversight. Ability to positively receive feedback and take direction is essential.
Ability to work cooperatively as a supportive team member and adhere to the division’s values including, but not limited to: customer focused, teamwork, positive communication, and accountability in a punctual, regular and reliable manner.
Ability to maintain annual training requirements of the position, including but not limited to City mandatory training requirements.
Ability to move partitions and tables and set up rooms for various activities; and work extended hours as necessary. to carry out the responsibilities and functions of the position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work is performed primarily in an office environment while sitting at a desk or computer terminal for extended periods of time or while standing for a period of time. Frequently needs to move inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Constant use of both hands in reaching/ handling/grasping/keyboarding or other fine motor skill manipulation while performing duties operating on computers. Occasional heavy work includes lifting and carrying up to 35 pounds. Occasionally ascends/descends stairs and ladders and uneven terrain while maintaining balance. Constant use of all senses including feeling/talking/hearing/seeing while performing duties and while communicating with co-workers, general public and completing all tasks as assigned. Must be able to distinguish color and maintain long-term and short-term memory. May work in remote locations or in noisy work area. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS:
Works directly with individuals who may have various health issues. May come in contact with individuals who are irate, upset, emotionally disturbed, or uncooperative. May work evenings, weekends and/or split shifts.
The City of Yakima is a premier employer in the Yakima Valley with extensive opportunities for training and growth. The City offers a competitive benefit package including:
- Comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage
- FREE healthcare clinic!
- WA State PERS pension plan
- 1% contribution to a 457 deferred compensation plan
- Generous accruals for vacation and sick leave
- Up to 5% bilingual/biliterate English/Spanish special pay
- Much more!
This position is covered by the AFSCME Municipal collective bargaing unit. Click here to view the union contract and benefits.
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