Foster Care Administrative Assistant

Overview

About Upbring

At Upbring, we are servants on a mission to break the cycle of child abuse. We are warriors , brave as the thousands of Texas Children and families we serve.

We stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves. We are a family who values innovation, empathy, patience, understanding and trustworthiness.

About our Foster in Texas (FIT) Program

Upbring Foster In Texas is one of the largest providers of foster care and adoption services in Texas with 13 offices across the state.

In 2021 we served 1,176 children, verified 140 new families, and connected 113 children with loving adoptive families. The Upbring heroes on our foster care team connect children with families who provide compassion, safety and support, and when needed, loving forever families.

What You'll Do

The primary duty of the Administrative Assistant is to provide receptionist and secretarial duties for the Foster in Texas (FIT) team, such as answering the telephone, filing, basic bookkeeping, and office management.

Our Upbring staff members are servant-leaders on the pursuit of breaking the cycle of child abuse and empowering others to do the same through example while embodying our core values : We are Warriors.

We are Servants. We are Family.

Responsibilities

We Are Warriors We Set the Standards for Child Welfare

Work Standards

• Gather information from prospective foster or adoptive parents and send inquiry packets upon request
• Receive, sort, date-stamp, and distribute all incoming mail and documents
• Complete the mailing process for all outgoing mail
• Manage and order supplies and ensure appropriate inventory is available for normal and peek business needs
• Manage the postage machine as it relates to operation and available funds
• Other duties and special projects as assigned

Communication

• Answer and direct all incoming calls to appropriate staff; take messages when needed
• Professionally greet all visitors entering the office; notify staff of their visit and escort to appropriate waiting location
• Respond to general inquiries about the program or refer to appropriate staff for more detailed information
• Develop and maintain a tracking system and record keeping process for FIT inquiries
• Maintain mailing lists for staff and provide mailing supplies
• Maintain Foster Care employee files such as assisting employees with completion of forms, scanning into electronic record, auditing, distributing policies and other forms for signature

We Are Servants We Help Others

Teamwork

• Serve as back-up for the office front desk area and perform assigned receptionist duties (Position based at Corporate office
• Work closely with the FIT team to ensure operations are effectively and efficiently supporting the organization’s objectives and program purpose
• Work as team player, exhibit professionalism (commitment, confidence, responsibility, dependability, honesty, ethics, appearance), positive working relationships, and a positive attitude while maintaining appropriate boundaries always

We Are Family We Are Passionate & Compassionate

Building Relationships

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with management, staff, and visitors to ensure they are greeted, welcomed, and always serviced in a professional manner
• Work as team player, exhibit professionalism (commitment, confidence, responsibility, dependability, honesty, ethics, appearance), and a positive attitude with both internal and external clients that reflects positively on the organization and is consistent with the organization’s policies and practices
• Actively participate in exhibiting cultural awareness and sensitivity when interacting with children, parent(s) / guardian(s), staff, and the community

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 1 year secretarial, receptionist, or administrative experience
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Strong customer service skills with the ability to greet and welcome people with a professional and pleasant demeanor
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; take initiative and work with limited supervision
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work and interact with a diverse group of people
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple requests and job expectations
• Proficient use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• Associates degree or higher in Business Administration, Office Administration, or closely related field
• 3 years’ secretarial, receptionist, or administrative experience
• Bilingual (English and Spanish based on service area and service population)

Perks at Upbring

• Competitive PTO & paid holidays
• Health, dental, vision insurance & more!
• 403(b) Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• 24 / 7 access to telemedicine and counseling services
• Discounted Gym Memberships

Physical Demands & Work Conditions

• This position requires sitting and looking and using a computer for long periods of time
• Lift, push, pull, move up to 50 lbs.

The physical requirements for this position with or without reasonable accommodation are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this position successfully.

While performing this position the employee with or without reasonable accommodation should have the ability to walk, stand, sit, kneel, speak, and hear with aid, see, read, reach with arms and hands, lift and / or move up to specified weight, and use equipment that is essential to performing the job, such as a computer, copier, fax machine, telephone, and automobile, if applicable.

Specific vision requirements of this position may include color vision, seeing things close up, and the ability to adjust focus.

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging

We are a diverse and inclusive organization that recognizes our strength is in the efforts of our selfless warriors. Honoring and recognizing the value and dignity of all individuals is the cornerstone of our agency.

The more diverse the individuals, thought processes and lived experiences, the greater the opportunity is to combine unique perspectives to make a greater impact.

Our trust, respect, and appreciation for one another is demonstrated through our communication, celebration of progress and relentless effort to be at our best to fulfill our mission to break the cycle of child abuse.

Upbring is an Equal Employment Opportunity / AA Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, genetic information, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status.