program associate

Metropolitan Family Service

Position Description

Position Title: Ready, Set, Go/ Early Ready, Set, Go Program Associate

Reports To: Program Site Coordinators– Ready, Set, Go/ Early Ready, Set, Go

Location: Margaret Scott Elementary School

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

Status: Non-exempt

Created: December 2025 Job Number: RSGPA1215

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 Coordinators for the Ready, Set, Go and Early Ready, Set, Go programs, the Program Associate is responsible for providing direct support to the day-to-day operations of the Early Learning and Family Engagement programs at Margaret Scott Elementary School. The RSG/eRSG 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 Program Coordinators
• Support development of programming with a health and wellness focus, including physical activity classes
• Support purchasing needs for RSG/eRSG 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)

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 0–3 or 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 (preferred languages: Nepali or 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.