Communities First, Inc. is a Michigan-based nonprofit 501c3 whose mission is to build healthy, vibrant communities through economic development, affordable housing and innovative programming. CFI is focused on providing safe, quality affordable housing, increasing economic opportunities, and improving the quality of life of the populations that the organization serves.

Job Summary:

The Program Associate is responsible for planning, executing, and evaluating enriching programs and activities to ensure they are new and exciting, meeting community needs through various programs and creating opportunities for families to thrive.

Essential Functions:

1. Coordinates with senior leadership to define program goals and fiscal objectives. Develops clear objectives that are measurable for each activity.

2. Develops, plans, coordinates, promotes, executes, oversees, and evaluates community-based activities and initiatives related to the four program areas. Evaluates the effectiveness of programs, events, and activities provided by Communities First, Inc.

3. Develops, manages, and evaluates program, activity, and event budgets.

4. Assists with grant writing, fund development and outcome reports for programs.

5. Serve as the primary contact person and subject matter expert for program policies and procedures.

6. Solicits participants input to gauge participants reaction to program quality; uses evaluation results from past program experience to plan new programs.

7. Effectively plans and executes programs, events, and activities (that are convenient and accessible for participants) to promote high levels of attendance.

8. Accurately tracks, collects, and maintains statistics, reports, and activity records. Submits timely reports on activities, programs, events, and activities. Maintains records.

9. Prepares for publication a variety of materials for internal and external use regarding programs, events, activities, etc. Assists in developing web and other online content.

10. In collaboration with senior leadership, schedules programs, events, activities, etc., as appropriate.

11. Promotes interest and provides information regarding assigned programs and activities to the community and others, as required/directed.

12. Keeps current of changing needs within programs, events, activities, etc., as assigned. Remains flexible in ensuring necessary modifications are made.

13. Supports the supervision of team members, AmeriCorps members, interns and program assistants as required.

14. Performs a variety of miscellaneous duties, such as answering phones, typing correspondence, running errands, picking up supplies, assisting senior leadership, and others as needed/directed.

15. Promotes and builds good working relationships with staff of Communities First, Inc. Embraces mission. Works with team; assists whenever and wherever needed/required.

Other:

1. Attends conferences, workshops and/or other learning opportunities as needed.

2. Attends staff and relevant committee or community meetings as needed.

3. Regular and predictable onsite attendance.

4. Other duties as assigned.

Education:

Associate or bachelor’s degree in business, social work, psychology, or related field.

Certifications: None Required

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Training and Experience:

1. Minimum five (5) years’ experience working in a related field is required.

2. Demonstrates a high level of confidentiality, discretion, and good judgment.

3. Ability to engage, encourage, and work with people from diverse backgrounds.

4. Demonstrates excellent work ethic, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

5. Ability to use computers, navigate the internet, and utilize software programs and other applications.

6. Demonstrates strong attention to detail and organizes work according to deadlines and workflow requirements.

7. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

8. Ability to work autonomously and with little guidance.

9. Displays the confidence and competence to gain/maintain the organization’s credibility.

10. Takes initiative to learn, develop oneself and see things through from start to finish.

11. Ability to engage in active listening and communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.

12. Ability to effectively present information to leadership, Board of Directors, community members, visitors, and other employees of the organization.

13. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

Essential Physical Requirements:

1. Ability to converse verbally and in writing with others.

2. Ability to utilize general office equipment, Internet, and various business software programs.

3. Ability to travel to attend various events and meetings in person quarterly and as needed.

4. Ability to move about in work areas, communicate with others, and/or use repetitive motions.

5. Ability to sit, stoop, climb, pull, push, and reach. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

6. Noise level in the work environment is moderate.

Equal Employment Opportunity & ADA Compliance:

Communities First, Inc. provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, and training. To ensure equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with a disability, Communities First, Inc. will make reasonable accommodations for the known disability of an otherwise qualified individual, unless undue hardship on the operation of the organization would result. We support and promote equal employment opportunity, human dignity, and racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity by taking positive steps to eliminate barriers that may exist in hiring and in employment practices. Discrimination of any type will not be tolerated.

This job description does not list all of the duties of the job. Other duties and responsibilities may be assigned. This job description may be revised at any time. This job description is not a contract for employment and either the employee or the employer may terminate employment at any time, for any reason or no reason.