Program Intern

Position Purpose The Program Intern participates in the Internship Experience or the Career Opportunity Experience Program. This Internship position is paid and may not exceed 90 days. This limited learning experience is designed to provide supervised, hands-on exposure to professional practice in education, health, mental health, social services, and family support settings. The position supports programmatic or center operations while focusing on skill development, career exploration, and workforce readiness in alignment with the participant's educational status and program track. Distinguishing Characteristics Inspire Development Centers provides Early Childhood Education (ECE) and social services to 3,110 children in a center-based and home-based setting, at more than 25 Child Development Centers (CDC) throughout the State of Washington. At these sites, Inspire employs over 1,000 staff on a $52 million annual budget. Inspire provides these services under various federal and state funded programs with differing regulations and stipulations, which must be coordinated and adhered to, including, but not limited to: Regional Head Start (RHS), Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS), Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and Early Head Start (EHS). The organization is required to meet an annual quota of non-federal share (in-kind) funds. A large majority of children's first language is Spanish. Over the past 40 years, Inspire has strategically and incrementally increased its capacity to address the rapidly changing needs of its families and communities. Supervisory and Other Relationships The Program Intern is assigned to a designated Supervisor/Mentor who provides daily oversight, task direction, coaching, and feedback throughout the 90 ‑ day program period. Examples of Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following examples of duties and accountabilities illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistently with the general scope of the position. Supporting classroom, center, or departmental daily operations. Observing and assisting with education, health, mental health, or family services delivery. Applying academic or foundational knowledge in supervised practical settings. Assisting with data collection, documentation, and recordkeeping as appropriate. Participating in training, orientation, and professional development activities. Maintaining confidentiality of participants, family, health information, and other confidential information. Demonstrating professionalism, punctuality, and adherence to program expectations. Completing assigned tasks within the scope of the internship or career experience track. Interns do not perform duties requiring independent professional licensure or unsupervised responsibility. Minimum Qualifications Incumbents are required to demonstrate knowledge and abilities in these areas: Meets eligibility requirements for assigned program track; Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively; Willingness to learn and follow instructions; Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office; Ability to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations; Internship Experience Track Currently enrolled in a college or university; Pursuing a degree related to Social Work, Social Services/Mental Health, Nursing/Health, or Early Childhood Education. Career Opportunity Experience Track High School Diploma graduate or first-year college student; Interested in early learning or human services. These skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education, training, and experience which would include previous work experience (paid or volunteer) in an office setting or early learning center. Training and experience will provide competence to perform the work of the position. Preferred Qualifications Ability to maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees, program recipients, school district personnel, and the general public. Type 40-50 words per minute. Ability to perform administrative responsibilities. English/Spanish bi-lingual fluency. Position Requirements Incumbents / Program Interns are required to have the following: Must be at least 18 years of age; Must pass initial and periodic criminal and background check; Must pass initial and periodic employee health clearance; (present it within forty-five (45) days of employment); Subject to initial and periodic TB screen; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV / AIDS) training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment); Blood Borne Pathogen training, (obtain the training within thirty (30) days of employment); Subject to drug screen; Must sign a Confidentiality Agreement; Must complete and sign a Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure Statement on an annual basis; Attend required orientation at program start; Comply with attendance, scheduling, and timekeeping requirements; Follow safety, conduct, and confidentiality standards; Engage actively in learning opportunities and assigned tasks. Work Environment & Physical Demands Work is performed in an office setting and/or in an early learning center environment. Time is spent sitting at a workstation with a personal computer, travelling locally, and observing within a child development environment. The demands and abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Ability to sit, stand and walk, occurrence is frequent; Ability to communicate in person, or via telephone or video conference, occurrence is frequent; Ability to lift and/ or move up to forty (40) pounds, occurrence is occasional; Ability to push/pull, kneel, bend, taste or smell, occurrence is occasional; Ability to travel, locally and statewide, occurrence is frequent; Ability to write and keyboard, occurrence is frequent; Ability to read, occurrence is frequent; Handles cleaning/sterilizing agent's occurrence is occasional; and Incumbent frequently exposed to moderate temperature generally encountered in a controlled environment and a noise level that is quiet to moderate. Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.