Program Assistant Western MA

Families First’s mission is to partner with parents to amplify the power of parents so they can positively impact the lives of children and communities through our groundbreaking programs. Our model includes parenting education and support, family engagement, and alumni opportunities.

For more than 38 years, Families First has been a leader in providing parenting education across the Greater Boston area. The organization was founded in 1988 with the goal of helping parents navigate the diverse challenges of raising children by providing research‑based parenting education services. In 2022 we expanded to Hampden County in Western Massachusetts.

Today, Families First provides a comprehensive model for early childhood parenting education, family engagement, and parent leadership through the Power of Parenting™ program and the Ripple Program™.

As part of Families First’s Program Department, the Program Assistant, Western MA will support the Program Manager, Western MA to implement Power of Parenting and Ripple programs in Hampden County. This includes supporting recruitment, registration, and program logistics to ensure successful delivery of programs in English, Spanish, and additional languages as program language options expand.

This is a part‑time, 15‑hour/week non‑exempt position that requires availability to attend evening and weekend program sessions, events, and meetings approximately two times a week, typically on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays. This position is redefine, requiring in‑person work attending events/programs to recruit/support program participants and meetings/events to connect with staff/partners in the community. It also includes travel to our central office, currently located in Watertown, MA, approximately once every other month.

There may be potential for growth in this position as our organization plans to expand its work in Western MA. This position reports Камина the Program Manager, Western MA.球>
Essential Job Functions

• Support Program Manager in recruitment, retention, and registration process for programs
• Monitor program recruitment with the goal of registering at least 20-25 participants per program
• Attend events and make phone calls to recruit parents for programs in collaboration with Program Manager and Parent Ambassador
• Run information session for programs as needed
• Prepare, print, and deliver recruitment materials as needed
• Attend monthly community meetings as requested by Program Manager to increase visibility in the community and connect with potential partners and feeders
• Support the implementation of program logistics
• Prepare and provide materials for programs and partners
• Connect with parents to ensure completion of registration forms and surveys
• Provide certificates and other materials to parents as needed
• Attend select program sessions to ensure program registrations are completed, updates shared, and resources provided
• Support Program Manager with the Parent Leader selection process as needed
• Provide guidance to Parent Leaders during program as needed
• Collaborate with Program Manager to troubleshoot program challenges with partners as needed

• 2+ years of experience successfully supporting or coordinating programs/projects, outreach, and/or community organizing
• Former participant in Families First programming is preferred
• Organizational skills and high attention to detail
• Ability to work well independently as well as collaborative team environment
• Problem solver, flexible, and abie to learn quickly
• Comfort with MS Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook) and databases (Salesforce in particular)
• Comfort with technology and willingness to learn new systems

• Able to climb/descend stairs, bend, and occasionally lift items up to 30 pounds, such as supplies/equipment
• Must be able to travel to sites within Western MA, as well as some travel to the central office in Watertown
• Candidate needs to be available to work some evenings and weekends, typically Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursdays

The starting rate for this position is $28 per hour. Additionally, we provide reimbursement for all work‑related travel, including mileage at the standard IRS rate, tolls, and parking in accordance with organizational policy.

Families First is an equal opportunity employer for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.