Support Us: Volunteer Position

Volunteer Program Assistant

Position Summary:

A Volunteer Program Assistant is a volunteer who is invited by a PCHAS program to provide support and encouragement on site by participating in a variety of programs with children or families served by the PCHAS program. The Volunteer Program Assistant may be asked to support and encourage only one child through a specific, regular activity, like providing homework assistance or to be a reading partner. Or, the Volunteer Program Assistant may be asked to support and encourage a group of children in a recreational or other group activity. All activity in which Volunteer Program Assistants participate is supervised by PCHAS staff.

The training required to become a Volunteer Program Assistant is an orientation with the site supervisor, program supervisor or the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator. Volunteer Program Assistants may become volunteer caregivers or mentors after a probationary period, provided they are able to participate in the required training.
Some activities that Volunteer Assistants are asked to do include:

Helping children with homework
Leading sports activities
Reading with children
Participating in small group activities
Helping prepare meals
Joining off-campus field trips

Volunteer Program Assistants are important to the children and families served by PCHAS by providing additional encouragement and support to their future success.

Specific Responsibilities:

1. Communicate regularly with his/her supervisors regarding his/her relationship with the children and the activities they do together.
2. Keep a record of dates, times and activities of the time he/she spends with the children or of his/her communication with the children. Copies of the record will be provided to the Volunteer Ministries Office. PCHAS will provide the volunteer with a record log for his/her use.
3. Participate in training as required by PCHAS to enable him/her to have the highest quality relationship with the children and in order to protect the child and maintain the child’s safety.
4. Know and abide by the PCHAS Volunteer Policies outlined during Volunteer Orientation.
5. Be a good role model, using discretion in behavior and conversation.
6. Be a good listener.
7. Honor his/her time commitments to PCHAS and the children in care.
8. Do not ask children at PCHAS questions concerning their past or the reasons they are in care.
9. Hold in confidence any discussion that a child may initiate about his/her past or the reason he/she is in the care of PCHAS.
10. Be aware that PCHAS holds academics as a priority and may restrict children’s outside activities and contacts as needed.
11. Perform duties as requested by the supervisor, but will never supervise children alone.
12. Participate in an evaluation of his/her volunteer work with the children in the residence with the Volunteer Ministries Coordinator after the first three months; and then each year afterwards.
13. This job description may change at the discretion of PCHAS.

Working Conditions:

As directed by the supervisor and/or program director, volunteers may perform their responsibilities at the various PCHAS locations and homes throughout the agency at varying times including days, evenings and weekends. Some activities will occur outside as well as inside the homes or offices. Use of equipment will vary depending on the activity. Volunteers may be asked to drive on behalf of the agency.

At all times, the safety and well-being of the children in care at PCHAS will be paramount, in addition to the safety and well-being of agency volunteers and staff.

Job Requirements:

A desire to help PCHAS fulfill its mission of providing Christ-centered services to children in need and their families.
PCHAS is a religious organization affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and expects its volunteers to respect the Christian faith, preferring its volunteers to possess their own personal Christian commitment.

Terms of Service:

I acknowledge that I will be a PCHAS volunteer, not an employee. I acknowledge that I am not entitled to any compensation or benefits normally available to PCHAS staff. I agree to keep my volunteer scheduled commitments. If I am unable to keep a scheduled commitment I will communicate with the designated PCHAS staff immediately.

I understand that through my involvement with PCHAS, children of the agency may tell me about their lives, and I may learn very private information about them and their families. I acknowledge that the information I learn during my work with PCHAS concerning residents, children, their families, and their lives is private and confidential. I will respect the rights of the children and will not discuss this information except in the performance of my duties with PCHAS. Further, I will not use any of the information from this work for any other purpose unless specifically directed to do so by authorized PCHAS staff.

I understand, acknowledge, and agree to the following:

* PCHAS is not obligated to call upon me for volunteer services.
* I have received, read, and understand PCHAS’ volunteer policies and procedures.
* I have received, read, and agree to perform only the duties detailed in the volunteer job description provided to be by PCHAS.
* I understand that PCHAS will report any illegally behavior to appropriate authorities.
* I acknowledge that failure to comply with PCHAS volunteer policies and procedures will result in immediate dismissal from a volunteer assignment and that I will not be eligible to serve as a PCHAS volunteer at any time in the future.
* By accepting a volunteer assignment with PCHAS, I acknowledge that I understand the requirements, skills and risks associated with performing the assigned task.
* I understand that I am legally obligated to report any suspected child abuse. I have read the following statement and understand it:

Child abuse, neglect, and exploitation are against the law, and so is failure to report it. You must immediately report any suspected incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 and to the Agency’s President at 1-800-888-1904. PCHAS takes all allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation seriously and cooperates with licensing and law enforcement authorities in these matters. PCHAS is prohibited from retaliating against employees or volunteers who make reports in good faith.

* I will hold in confidence any information pertaining to the children I work with and I will not share confidential information with anyone not authorized by the agency to receive the information.

Signature:____________________________________________

Printed Name:_______________________________________________

Date:________________________________________________

Location:_____________________________________________

Assigned Supervisor:___________________________________________

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