Program Assistant, Secondary Education

Summary

The program assistant is responsible for leading test proctoring and intake activities for American Indian OIC’s education programs. This position also supports the overall administrative activities for the agency by completing data entry, responding to program inquiries, and providing customer service to participants.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Proctor exams for education students seeking certification or credentials through American Indian OIC’s testing center
• Respond to individuals who are interested in enrolling in American Indian OIC’s education programs and support them through the intake and enrollment process
• Create client files for all Adult Education/GED participants and complete file audits to ensure alignment with program requirements
• Complete retention check-ins with students by phone, email, and text
• Provide customer service to participants and visitors to American Indian OIC through front desk coverage and switchboard operation
• Perform enrollment duties during weekly in-person and virtual enrollment sessions
• Administer, score, and record results of the Test of Adult Education
• Support data entry needs when required
• Participate in program recruitment events by staffing information tables and distributing promotional materials
• Maintain required certifications and credentials required to effectively perform the functions of this position
• Attend all relevant trainings, workshops, and networking events
• Participate in regular team meetings to monitor participant and program progress

This should not be considered a comprehensive list of job duties and responsibilities and the scope of the position may reasonably change as necessitated by organizational needs.

Qualifications

Required

• Cultural competency working in a diverse environment
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong customer service skills and ability to create a welcoming and trusting atmosphere for clients and team members
• Self-starter; takes initiative and can work autonomously and as part of a team
• Ability to troubleshoot problems and seek out solutions
• Strong time management skills and the ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines
• Ability to follow privacy and confidentiality policies
• Proficiency using a personal computer and Microsoft Office/Office 365 and the ability to navigate databases and enter data accurately

Preferred

• Understanding of Minnesota’s Indigenous communities, cultures, and practices
• Understanding of human services programming and ability to align eligibility requirements and needs with appropriate resources

Physical Demands & Work Environment

American Indian OIC is a culturally rich environment and follows a business casual dress code. The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit for long periods. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The work environment noise level is typically moderate.

Compensation & Status

The program assistant is a full-time, nonexempt position, with compensation starting at $22 per hour. American Indian OIC’s office hours are Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm, however weekend and evening hours may be required occasionally. With supervisor approval, this position may be granted limited and reasonable remote work privileges on days where their in-person presence is not required. This position qualifies for medical, dental, and retirement benefits. Up to five weeks of paid time off can be accrued during the first year of employment with increases in subsequent years. AIOIC also offers at least ten paid holidays annually. Free onsite parking is available, and the campus is easily accessible by bike, bus, and light rail.

American Indian OIC (AIOIC) was established in 1979 to address the education and employment disparities faced by Native American families living in and around South Minneapolis. The organization was founded as a career counseling provider, but now offers multi-faceted education and workforce development services through its alternative high school, Adult Basic Education program, job training center, and career counseling services. The goal of these programs is to give people the foundational education and support needed to pursue meaningful career opportunities. Although it was founded to serve people of Native descent, most of AIOIC’s programs are open to anyone regardless of race, creed, gender, religion, age, or sexual orientation. Annually, more than 1,000 people from the Twin Cities metropolitan area and affiliated with 40 distinct tribal nations from the US and Canada, utilize AIOIC’s services.

American Indian OIC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and will not discriminate against any person on any legally recognized basis (“protected class”) including, but not limited to: veteran status, uniform service member status, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information or any other protected class under federal, state, or local law.