Community Garden Program Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description:

The Program Assistant plays an essential role in creating a welcoming, organized, and family-friendly environment where children and caregivers feel valued, supported, and connected. Serving as one of the first points of contact for families, the Program Assistant helps ensure that interactions reflect the Fairfield First 5 Center's commitment to warmth, inclusion, and meaningful, relationship-centered engagement.

This position balances family support with administrative coordination and operational functions. Working closely with the Program Administrator and Center team, the Program Assistant helps ensure programs run smoothly by welcoming families, coordinating participant registration, supporting classes and events, maintaining data systems, and helping prepare the Center for daily programming.

The Program Assistant also contributes directly to children's and families' experiences by supporting play-based activities, providing childwatch during parent education classes, facilitating designated programming after training, and helping connect families with Center services and community resources. Through relationship-building, and collaborative teamwork, the Program Assistant helps strengthen family engagement and foster a welcoming community where families can thrive.

Program Description

The Fairfield First 5 Center (F5C), opening in Summer 2026, will be a vibrant and welcoming hub for families with young children ages 0-5. Funded by First 5 Solano and operated by Bay Area Community Resources (BACR), the Center provides no-cost parent-child interactive classes, developmental screenings, parent education, leadership opportunities, and connections to community resources.

We believe parents and caregivers are their child's first and most important teacher. Through engaging early learning experiences, family-centered support, and opportunities for connection, the Center helps families strengthen parent-child relationships, build understanding of child development, support school readiness, and foster healthy growth and well-being.

The Fairfield First 5 Center will serve a rich mosaic of families, cultures, languages, and lived experiences. We value candidates who bring experience working alongside communities of diverse backgrounds and who demonstrate a commitment to culturally responsive, community-centered, strengths-based, and equity-focused practices.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required; coursework in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Human Services, or a related field preferred
• Experience working with young children and families in an educational, community-based, customer service, or family-serving setting
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish (spoken and written) required
• Experience providing administrative or program support in a professional setting

Preferred:

• Early Childhood Education (ECE) units and/or experience in an early childhood or childcare setting
• Experience supporting family-facing or community-based programs
• Experience with participant databases, data entry, or program documentation
• Experience using Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Forms, Calendar, etc.)

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong customer service and relationship-building skills
• Ability to communicate warmly and professionally with children, caregivers, colleagues, and community partners
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Ability to balance administrative responsibilities with direct family engagement
• Ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment
• Willingness to learn new systems, curricula, and family support practices

Communication and Relationship Building

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Spanish
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children, caregivers, colleagues, and community members from varied cultural, linguistic, and lived-experience backgrounds
• Ability to create welcoming environments where families feel respected, valued, and connected
• Strong interpersonal skills with a positive, solution-focused approach
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple staff roles and community partners

Professional Qualities

• Passion for supporting young children and families
• Commitment to culturally responsive, community-centered, and strengths-based practice
• Highly organized, dependable, and detail-oriented
• Ability to take initiative, adapt to changing priorities, and solve problems independently
• Commitment to ongoing learning and professional development
• Ability to communicate openly, respectfully, and collaboratively

Technical Skills and Physical Requirements

• Proficiency with Google Workspace and basic office technology
• Ability to utilize electronic data systems and maintain accurate documentation
• Ability to regularly lift up to 25 pounds as part of classroom setup, event preparation, and Center operations

Roles & Responsibilities

Family Engagement & Customer Service

• Welcome and support new and returning families, creating a warm and positive first impression
• Conduct Center tours, assist with participant registration, and help families access appropriate programs and services
• Provide interpretation and translation for Spanish-speaking families, staff, and community partners
• Build relationships that encourage ongoing family participation and engagement

Program & Administrative Support

• Partner with the Program Administrator to support daily Center operations
• Answer phones, complete clerical tasks, maintain records, and support participant data entry
• Help prepare classrooms and program spaces for daily activities
• Assist with marketing materials, communications, and program logistics
• Support overall Center operations and shared team responsibilities

Program Support & Child Engagement

• Coordinate and facilitate designated open play experiences and children's activities
• Provide childwatch during adult-only parent education programming
• Receive training to facilitate designated parent-child programming
• Support families during Center events, workshops, and community activities

Outreach, Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordination

• Participate in outreach activities that increase awareness of Center services
• Coordinate and support Parent Volunteers participating in Center programming
• Assist with special events and community engagement activities
• Build positive relationships with community partners and visitors

Professional Development & Family Support

• Receive training and conduct Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) developmental screenings
• Obtain Community Health Worker (CHW) certification in alignment with CalAIM requirements
• Participate in ongoing professional development related to family engagement, child development, and Center operations

Schedule

This is a 36-hour per week position.

Typical schedule:

• Tuesday-Friday: 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Saturday: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

The Program Assistant independently supports Center operations on Saturdays while collaborating closely with the full Center team throughout the week.

Compensation & Benefits

• $20-$22 per hour, depending on experience
• Agency and Federal Holiday pay
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical insurance (based on eligibility)
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Wellhub Wellness Program
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities

About Us:

Bay Area Community Resources (BACR) promotes the healthy development of individuals, families and communities through direct services, volunteerism, and partnerships in the San Francisco Bay Area.

We have deep respect for the communities we serve throughout the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, the dedicated staff who show up for those in need, and the opportunity we have been given through this work to promote resilience in tens of thousands of individuals every year.

BACR is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate, support, and thrive on diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment w/o regard to perceived age, marital or familial status, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, physical or mental disability including AIDS or AIDS-Related Complex or military status.

Visit our website at www.bacr.org.

Above is the pay range for this position that we reasonably expect to pay. Individual compensation is based on various factors including experience/education, skillset, and geographic location.