Position Summary
The Assistant to the Programs Coordinator will provide essential administrative and programmatic support to ensure the smooth operation of CMC's programs and services for Spokane's African American/Black community — including small business support through the Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN), the Sandy Williams Justice Center, housing assistance, 5th Avenue Forward, and community events, workshops, and youth programming. The position is divided across three areas: approximately 40% supporting the SBRN program and general program administration — outreach calls to businesses and community members, scheduling meetings, and coordinating events and workshops; 30% supporting the front desk, telephone, and community members who walk in; and 30% supporting CMC events and general Center operations, including keeping shared spaces clean and organized and assisting the team wherever help is needed. The Carl Maxey Center is not a high-pressure workplace, but it is an active one: the person in this role must be proactive, comfortable holding several plates at once, and reliable at getting tasks completed.
Key Responsibilities
1. Small Business Resiliency Network (SBRN) and Program Administration — 40%
· Provide administrative support to the SBRN program and other CMC programs as assigned, including scheduling, correspondence, file management, and accurate recordkeeping of participant information and program outcomes.
· Call and follow up with local Black-owned businesses to share program information, confirm participation, and set up meetings.
· Coordinate outreach and invitations to businesses and community members for events, workshops, and classes, and track registrations and attendance.
· Prepare and distribute materials for workshops, meetings, and events.
· Maintain the online Black Business Directory by gathering and updating business information.
· Connect business owners and community members with available resources — including CMC programs such as the Sandy Williams Justice Center, housing assistance, and legal clinics — coordinate referrals with local, state, and federal partners, and follow up to confirm their needs are met.
· Track, document, and report program activities and outcomes for funders, stakeholders, and CMC leadership, maintaining confidentiality and compliance with data collection standards.
2. Front Desk and Community Reception — 30%
· Greeting every visitor warmly, ensure guests sign in at the kiosk, and offer water or coffee to visitors and meet attendees.
· Answer and direct phone calls, return messages and emails within three hours of the Center's opening, and provide accurate information in person, by phone, and by email.
· Serve as a first point of contact for community members, walk-ins, partners, and stakeholders, routing questions to the appropriate staff.
· Complete daily opening and closing procedures, process mail and deliveries, and perform clerical tasks such as filing, copying, binding, and scanning.
· Log daily calls and visits with the reason and outcome and follow up on referrals and open items until they are resolved.
3. Events and CMC Team Support — 30%
· Support setup, execution, and breakdown for CMC events, including room arrangement, signage, food service, and materials.
· Assist with event logistics and hospitality so guests, presenters, and community partners have a welcoming experience.
· Keep the reception area, meeting rooms, and shared spaces clean, organized, and presentable; open and put away packages and keep informational displays current.
· Inventory and request office and event supplies.
· Support other staff and programs as needed, stepping in where help is most useful across the Center.
· Create and maintain SOPs, checklists, and simple workflows so recurring tasks stay consistent and easy to hand off.
Qualifications
· High school diploma or equivalent (Associate’s degree preferred).
· Minimum of 2 year of experience in an administrative support role, preferably in a non-profit or community-based setting.
· Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
· Ability to work independently, stay proactive, and manage several responsibilities at once without close supervision.
· Necessary highly fluent in Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Drive, Gmail, Calendar, Forms) and comfortable learning new systems, databases, and technology quickly.
· Strong organizational skills, with the ability to create and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), checklists, and workflows that make the work repeatable.
· Flexible and dependable, able to shift between program, front desk, and event tasks as priorities change during the day.
· Commitment to the mission and vision of the Carl Maxey Center and the Spokane Black community.
· Experience working with diverse populations and a deep understanding of cultural sensitivity and inclusivity.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in event coordination or program support.
- Familiarity with small business support or community outreach.
- Bilingual or multilingual abilities.
Physical and Other Requirements
- Physical Demands: The role requires the ability to sit for extended periods, as well as occasional standing, walking, bending, and reaching. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The Carl Maxey Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
Pay: $22.00 - $27.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Work Location: In person
