Job Description

TECH SQUAD PROGRAM ASSISTANT

TECH SUPPORT FOR OLDER ADULT   

AGENCY OVERVIEW

Founded in 1889, Felton Institute is the oldest nonsectarian, nonprofit, charitable social-services provider in the City and County of San Francisco. Our mission is to strengthen families by providing caring, effective, and innovative social services--with special emphasis on the needs of low-income families, children, the elderly, and disabled and justice-impacted individuals, thus improving the quality of life for all in the East Bay and San Francisco Area.

SENIOR DIVISION OVERVIEW

The Senior Division provides countywide programs in San Francisco and Alameda, helping older adults remain in the community and age with dignity, security, and a high quality of life. Felton’s programs deliver evidence-based treatments and practices, and we strive to hire staff offering culturally and linguistically appropriate services to meet the needs of older adults living in our communities. We specialize in a wide range of mental health and aging support services.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Program Assistant will be joining our Tech Squad Program, an innovative approach to bringing tech support and broadband access directly to older adults in communities where they live. This exciting program was launched in January 2021 to bridge the digital divide among older adults who have been impacted the most during the pandemic past year. This program will initially be based at 1099 Sunnydale in Visitacion Valley, a neighborhood in southeast San Francisco where the need for broadband adoption is greatest among low-income residents, with future expansion to other Felton services areas, including our citywide mental health programs for clients to access telehealth. In Visitation Valley, initial popup locations will include 66 Raymond Senior Center and Heritage Homes. During the pandemic, the Tech Trainers will observe strict guidelines for sanitizing, distancing, and wearing appropriate PPE to ensure safe practices when meeting with older adults. Initial popups will all be conducted outside, or if inside, with extensive ventilation and other safety precautions. During Phase One, the Tech Trainers will provide one-on-one assistance to older adults on their individual devices, to ensure effective connection to the internet. This brief interaction will also include the download of the Zoom app. In Phase Two, the Tech Trainers will provide a series of online training for these individuals, conducted remotely using Zoom, which will teach skills on online safety, accessing online resources, telehealth, and other needs as presented.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Program Assistant will provide tech support by helping adults learn how to use Zoom and access internet services. Program Assistant will support this pilot Tech Squad program, with an initial focus on reaching those individuals not connected online in Visitation Valley, including older adults in the African American and monolingual Cantonese-speaking populations. The Program Assistant’s main activities will include: 

• Downloading Zoom on an individual’s internet-enabled device, such as a Smartphone, tablet or a laptop
• Connecting that device to a low-cost internet service, such as Internet Essentials 
• Developing Training Curriculum and conducting Online Zoom Trainings for topics including, but not limited to: Zoom Video Instructions, Internet Safety, Internet Basics and How-to Video Chat, Navigating a Website, How to Access Government Services, Seeking Employment, Watching Movies, and Accessing Telehealth
• Scheduling appointments with older adults to assist with one-on-one training
• Setting up popup locations at senior centers and other locations to assist older adults nd adults with disabilities
• Outreaching, recruiting, and training volunteers with other team members

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to plan, organize, and teach tech classes online and in-person to older adults
• Proficiency in downloading applications, especially apps related to videoconferencing and other apps and tools to access online resources on Android and IOS devices
• Technically skilled in navigating and problem-solving internet-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets /iPad and laptops
• BA Degree preferred
• Training or teaching experience preferred
• Bilingual and biliterate in Chinese (Cantonese), or experience working with the African American population, preferred
• Skilled using Microsoft Suite - Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Ability to teach older adults how to set up Social Media (Facebook, Instagram) and basic computer skills such as internet basics and email
• Ability to problem solve
• Enjoys helping and working with older adults and culturally aware and sensitive to diverse older adult community
• Strong communication skills verbally and written
• Ability to develop and teach curriculum
• Prioritizes time management and completes projects on time
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to sit outdoors 3-4 hours twice a week at popup locations
• A team player

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The Program Assistant position is 20-30 hrs part-time with benefits.

Company Description

Agency Overview Founded in 1889, Felton Institute (formerly Family Service Agency of San Francisco) has a 131-year history of innovation in services for vulner­able children, families, and adults. Felton’s mission is to respond to human needs with cutting edge social services and treatment that combine the best social science research with cultural sensitivity, a deep respect for the consumer, and a commitment to social justice. With over 40 programs in 11 languages at sites throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding counties, our comprehensive array of services reaches across all racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic lines. At the heart of our work is the belief that individuals and families in crisis must have access to services and resources to help them build on their inherent strengths and develop self-sufficiency. Felton offers a dynamic, challenging, and supportive work environment where staff is encouraged to increase their skills and enter new domains.