Administrative Associate

BACKGROUND

Refugee Artisan Initiative (RAI) partners with refugee and immigrant women as they work to achieve economic stability. At RAI, artisans overcome barriers to employment through skills and micro business training while handcrafting goods from recycled materials.

RAI values diverse perspectives, life experiences, and differences. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, people of all ages, and veterans.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Join Refugee Artisan Initiative’s dynamic team and help champion equity and sustainability! We're seeking an Administrative Associate who is organized, motivated, and an excellent communicator. If you're passionate about making a difference, and eager to develop your skills while driving positive change, this could be the perfect opportunity for you. Reporting to the Executive Director, this role will support cross-team collaboration and ensure smooth day-to-day operations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support volunteers/interns/experiential learners who assist with office projects (including data entry)
• Help manage incoming and outgoing mail, emails, and phone messages
• Offer friendly, professional customer service to visitors, customers, supporters, and sponsors
• Organize RAI documents (i.e. insurance forms, photographs, etc.) in Google Drive folders
• Coordinate signing and sending of contracts, filing of paperwork, etc.
• Assist with inventory management, order fulfillment, and data entry (via Shopify)
• Maintain records of which volunteers have been background checked
• Ensure that RAI’s office space and Makerspace are well stocked with supplies and materials
• Prepare materials (i.e. name tags, place settings, auction packets, etc.) for events, including RAI’s annual Gala
• Prepare staff meeting agendas and take notes
• Pick up/drop off/order products/materials/supplies as needed
• Coordinate print orders with local print shops
• Acknowledge and appreciate donors via multiple communications channels (including addressing handwritten cards)
• Assist Leadership Team with scheduling visits, tours, and events as needed.
• Maintain an organizational calendar of important meetings, events, reporting deadlines and activities.
• Support the coordination of organizational events, workshops, trainings, and stakeholder engagement.
• Track action items, deadlines, and follow-up tasks arising from all staff or executive meetings.
• Handle confidential information and sensitive organization matters with the highest level of discretion.
• Ensure timely communication and follow-up on assigned inquiries and requests.
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Minimum 1 year of related experience
• Willingness to “pitch in” on a variety of tasks and wear multiple hats
• Comfort working in a fast-paced (sometimes distracting) environment
• Excellent communication skills
• Accuracy and attention to detail
• Proficient computer skills, including MS Office Suite and Google Suite
• Ability to keep track of multiple deadlines and to-dos
• Curiosity and eagerness to learn new skills

Preferred:

• Understanding of and ability to model RAI’s commitment to empowering refugees, social justice and change, and equity in all aspects of their work
• Experience with data entry, especially involving donation databases and/or email platforms
• Experience working at a small non-profit or other community-minded small business
• Availability to work occasional night or weekend shifts for special events (scheduled in advance)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here represent those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, lift (overhead, waist-level) from the floor and walk up and downstairs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee may encounter while performing this job's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job operates primarily in-person. The RAI team is small and also supports volunteer-led services. The work environment's noise level varies depending on project production, meetings, and points of service in the community.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit: (1) a one-page cover letter sharing what draws you to this role and the experience you’d bring to it; (2) a current resume; to: View email address on click.appcast.io.

RAI is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran or military status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. We encourage applications from people with lived experience as refugees or immigrants.