Program Assistant, Children & Youth Grade 15

Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in social work, education, a behavioral science or a related field; supplemented by one year of general work experience, preferably working in a children/youth services field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license.
Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all county or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Purpose of Classification:
The purpose of this classification is to assist with and conduct educational, recreational, counseling, nutritional, informational, and/or referral programs to enhance the lives and meet the needs of participating children, youth and their families. Responsibilities include planning, organizing, and conducting activities for participants, developing Individual Service Plans to address specific needs, and preparing and maintaining program documentation.
Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Provides consultation, information, and referral services to clients: conducts interviews and needs assessments; researches available community resources; enrolls participants in County programs or provides the most appropriate referral services to meet clients’ needs: services are intended to optimize the home environment by enhancing the family support system and increasing the family’s ability to problem-solve and advocate for themselves and their children.
Leads and coordinates activities of assigned service providers and co-workers: confers with supervisor to obtain direction regarding work assignments and priorities; organizes tasks in order to complete assigned work; monitors status of work in progress and inspects completed work; confers with co-workers regarding case management activities; and assists with complex/problem situations, and provides technical expertise.
Assists program coordinator with the daily operations of assigned Children and Youth program(s): attends meetings to promote program activities and recruit participants; collaborates with partnering divisions, departments and outside organizations to share resources and host community events; designs promotional materials; and prepares program documentation.
Provides case management services: coordinates participant’s progress through assigned program: conducts intake and periodic monitoring interviews; develops Individualized Success Plans; supports participants in difficult family or life situations; facilitates problem-solving with an agency, family member, another youth; etc.; locates or obtains required services and resources; coordinates services between participants and providers; evaluates progress; and provides follow-up services to participants that complete program.
Provides training and guidance to address decision making, violence prevention, anger management, conflict resolution, health issues, and forgiveness.
Plans, organizes, and oversees educational, nutritional, informational, and/or recreational classes and activities for participants, which may include leadership, academics, self-development, life shills, college readiness, job training, entrepreneurship, manhood, womanhood, or citizenship and responsibility training.
Researches, develops, and teaches evidence-based curriculums: ensures lessons and learning modules are age/learning level appropriate; and supplements academic classroom activities for assigned age group/program.
Counsels youth with social and emotional problems and serves as an advocate for children and youth. Coordinates/conducts special projects as assigned.
Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations, within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives and reviews various documentation, including program applications, attendance sheets, activity evaluations, provider performance reports, timesheets, updates, residency and academic records, vendor quotes, and program guidelines and directives; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, and other documentation, including activity reports, Individualized Service Plans (ISP), MARTA Logs, travel forms, timesheets, and mileage records; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.
Communicates with supervisor, other employees, school officials, parents, clients, third party service contractors, community partners, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Maintains a current, comprehensive knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, principles and practices relating to serving children and youth; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; and attends meetings, workshops, hearings, and training sessions as required.
Assists with various fundraising projects related to assigned program.
Additional Functions:
:Performs other related duties as required.

Performance Aptitudes:
Data Utilization: Requires the ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria. Includes exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.
Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information.
Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.
Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, genetics, disability or sexual orientation.