Program Assistant - Youth Connections

Description Job Title: Program Assistant Department: Resource Center Location: Nashville, TN (523 Church Street) Schedule: Full-Time, In-Person | Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Reports To: Sr. Director Young Adult Engagement

You’ve Seen the Struggles. Now Help Others Work Through Them. Some people learn about challenges in books. Others know them because they’ve lived them. If you have personal or professional experience with foster care, the juvenile justice system, or navigating hard paths as a young adult, your story and insights are a superpower.

At Monroe Harding’s Resource Center, we support young adults (ages 16–26) as they build their futures - from finding job opportunities and finishing school to learning financial skills and building healthy relationships. As a Program Assistant, you won't just perform tasks; you’ll be the supportive presence, advocate, and guide you wish you had when navigating these systems.

The Opportunity As a Program Assistant, you are the welcoming heart of our Resource Center. You’ll work directly with young people every day - co-facilitating workshops, helping with resumes, connecting peers to resources, and supporting hands-on projects like our Monroe Gardens entrepreneurial enterprise.

You don’t need years of office experience. We are looking for someone who is eager to learn, cares deeply about community, and wants to build a career while making a direct impact.

What You’ll Do:

• Connect & Advocate: Welcome young adults, conduct intake conversations, listen to their goals, and help connect them with local services that match their strengths.
• Support Hands-On Programs: Co-facilitate group classes, host workshops, and guide peers through financial literacy, education, workforce skills, and justice-involved youth programs.
• Build Job & Career Skills: Help participants write resumes, practice interview skills, search for jobs, and submit applications.
• Keep Operations Running: Keep client records and databases accurate and up-to-date, support event setups, and help maintain a safe, welcoming, and organized space.
• Grow as a Professional: Participate in ongoing team training, learn trauma-informed tools, and expand your skill set alongside a supportive team.

Why You’ll Love Working Here We know this work takes heart. We support our team with benefits that help you care for yourself while caring for others:

• Healthcare: 90%–100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• Time Away: Generous paid time off package plus company holidays.
• Financial Future: 401(k) plan with up to a 4% company match.
• Wellness & Support: Life insurance, long-term disability, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Growth: Hands-on professional development, training, and career mentorship.
• Salary: starts at $40,000 and can increase based on experience and education.

Who We Are: Serving Middle Tennessee, Monroe Harding supports children, youth, and young adults impacted by foster care from birth through age 26. Through a continuum of care, we provide stability, skills, and support young people need to navigate critical transitions and build successful, independent lives.

Our Values: We lead with Optimism, practice Inclusion, stay Curious, embrace Personal Accountability, and rely on Collaboration. As a Program Assistant you'll live these values out loud every shift.

A Note on Our Hiring Process: Monroe Harding serves young people who have experienced difficult circumstances. All offers of employment are contingent on passing a thorough background check (including TBI/FBI fingerprints and child abuse registry clearance) and a valid TN Driver's License. The Diana Screen® is administered to all applicants to ensure ethical boundaries are maintained.

Applicants: Apply by clicking here!

Monroe Harding is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in our job application and interview procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at fostercare@monroeharding.org or 615-298-5573.

Requirements

What We’re Looking For:

• Lived or Professional Experience: Personal background in foster care or juvenile justice, or experience supporting youth through these systems.
• Eager to Learn: Curiosity and a passion for picking up new skills across different programs.
• Relatable & Approachable: Ability to engage young adults with empathy, patience, and clear boundaries.
• Team-Minded: Dependable, organized, and willing to jump in where needed.
• Basic Tech Skills: Comfortable with basic computer tasks and data entry (we will train you on our systems).

Requirements:

• Personal or professional experience related to Foster Care or Juvenile Justice.
• Valid Tennessee Driver's License.
• High School Diploma or GED preferred (not required).
• Background check, drug screening, and initial safety screening (The Diana Screen®).

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and distance vision.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.