Program Assistant Jobs in Lakewood, WA (NOW HIRING)

DEPARTMENT: Programs

ROLE TITLE: Program Assistant

LOCATION: Remote/Olympia, Washington State

LEVEL/SALARY: Volunteer, Program Apprenticeship Pathway

DESIRED HOURS: Monday through Friday, Part-time Flexible Hours

COMMITMENT: May 27, 2026 – December 31, 2026; Phase 1: 40-hour Learning & Orientation Commitment; Phase 2: 6-Month Volunteer Program Assistant Role; Phase 3 (Eligibility): Program Manager (Leadership Track)

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION: C.A.R.E. Wellness Center & Services

C.A.R.E. Wellness Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity with a mission of providing a safe farm stay, holistic retreat, and wellness programs for BIPOC community and allies for equality. Its programs are focused on persons of color and work with vulnerable populations such as BIPOC with justice-involvement, foster youth, and those suffering mental health challenges. The person in this role must be sensitive to these populations and center their duties on wellness.

Our Mission is to provide a safe farm stay, holistic retreat, and wellness programs for black, indigenous, people of color and allies, to recover from Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome via Spirituality, AgroTourism, and Racial Justice.

Our Vision is Connectivity: to Nature; to God; and to Self. Our goal of acquiring farmland is to establish a safe spiritual retreat for people of color to escape constant trauma and begin repairing their fractured foundation and realize self-actualization. Our programs are a research community project with a goal of empowering others to heal from PTSS.

The Founder, Chair, and CEO is a woman of color, Pansexual, and person with disabilities fully committed to the growth of both C.A.R.E. Wellness Center (nonprofit) and C.A.R.E. Family Services, LLC (for-profit), also doing direct services for children and youth. We highly encourage an ethical, organized, and ambitious student or seasoned professional to help support the foundation of this new and unique nonprofit for the community. This is a home-based office welcoming volunteers, guests, and visitors for meetings while fundraising for farmland to headquarter wellness programs.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Program Assistants at C.A.R.E. Wellness Center & Services will collaborate with other students in our programs team to enhance our programming ability and impact within the community. The Program Assistant role is a learning‑first apprenticeship designed to support C.A.R.E.’s program operations while preparing individuals for long‑term leadership roles within the organization.

• This position works closely with CEO/Program Manager, program collaborators, and volunteers, and engages our participants. This opportunity begins with a 40-hour learning and onboarding commitment, followed by an additional 6-month volunteer position

supporting supports program coordination, administration, community engagement, and data management while offering a clear pathway into leadership roles, including:

• Program Assistant
• Program Manager
• Program Director
• Agrotourism Agents (Community Commitment)
• Facilities Manager (Executive)

This is an ideal opportunity for individuals interested in nonprofit leadership, wellness programming, agrotourism, or community-based operations.

PHASE 1: LEARNING & ORIENTATION COMMITMENT (40 HOURS)

Before entering the ongoing volunteer role, Program Assistants complete a 40‑hour learning and orientation phase, completed flexibly every Wednesday 10am-2pm PST over several weeks.

LEARNING FOCUS AREAS:

• C.A.R.E.’s mission, vision, values, and program models
• Trauma‑informed program design and participant care
• Ethical engagement with BIPOC and vulnerable populations
• Program operations, documentation, and compliance
• Introduction to agrotourism and retreat-based programming
• Observation of meetings, events, and workflows

LIGHT PRACTICE DURING LEARNING PHASE:

• Assignment #1: Team collaboration to create a Wellness Program CRM Tool
• Assignment #2: Shadowing program meetings, community engagement visits and/or events
• Assignment #3: Minor administrative and documentation support
• Assignment #4: Analytic reporting, storytelling, reflection and feedback conversations with leadership

✅ Completion of Phase 1 confirms readiness for the volunteer role.

PHASE 2: PROGRAM ASSISTANT – VOLUNTEER ROLE (6 MONTHS)

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

PROGRAM & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

• Provide clerical and administrative support to program staff
• Prepare documents, correspondence, schedules, and reports
• Maintain accurate program files and participant records
• Support confidentiality and data protection standards

PROGRAM COORDINATION & EVENTS

• Assist with planning, organizing, and supporting wellness programs, retreats, and agrotourism events
• Support participant registration, onboarding, and communications
• Assist with event logistics, setup, and follow‑up

PARTICIPANT & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

• Serve as a point of contact for program participants
• Respond to inquiries with care, clarity, and professionalism
• Support relationship‑building with community partners and stakeholders

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & IMPROVEMENT

• Assist with developing and updating program materials
• Support Program Operations Manual edits and updates
• Help monitor program outcomes and participant feedback

CROSS‑FUNCTIONAL COLLABORATION

• Support cross‑team meetings (agendas, notes, announcements)
• Collaborate with Marketing, Facilities, and Leadership teams
• Assist with outreach to partner agencies and local businesses

PROGRAM ASSISTANT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide clerical support to program and administrative staff, including document preparation, data entry, and correspondence management.
• Organize and coordinate programs and events, ensuring seamless execution and participant satisfaction.
• Maintain and organize all files and participant data, ensuring confidentiality and compliance with data protection regulations.
• Assist in the development of program materials and the distribution of promotional content.
• Serve as a point of contact for program participants, addressing inquiries and providing guidance.
• Collaborate with team members to identify and implement process improvements.
• Support the monitoring and reporting of program outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Typing speed of 35+ WPM
• Strong oral, written, and digital communication skills
• Ability to plan and execute mission-aligned program tasks
• Comfort using project management tools and CRM platforms
• Cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed awareness

PREFERRED:

• Bachelor’s degree (or coursework) in Project Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Background in holistic care, creative arts, or community work
• Community-engaged personality
• Passion for wellness, healing justice, and BIPOC-centered work

TOOLS & PLATFORMS USED

• Notion/Dynamics
• Slack + Yodel
• Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Calendar, Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Power Automation)

WORK CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The Program Assistant works flexible shifts remotely with some scheduled synchronous meetings, event settings during quarter sessions for programs, with minimal bending, stooping, sitting, and kneeling. May require long periods of standing. Possible exposure to animals, plants, perfume/incense, and nuts during in-person activities (for local volunteers). May require infrequent lifting up to 50 lbs. May require some local travel.

EQUITY & VALUES STATEMENT

C.A.R.E. Wellness Center is an equal opportunity organization. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible, and healing-centered environment for all stakeholders.

NEXT STEPS: Please Apply HERE! https://forms.gle/TEe1B5c7krmZxRap7