Who We Are

For over 60 years, Abilities First, Inc. has been empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to live their most vibrant, independent lives. From early education to adulthood, our wide range of services—including preschool and school programs, day and residential habilitation, community connections, and employment services—are designed to uplift every individual’s unique strengths and dreams.

We believe in the power of people—of every background, identity, and ability—to create change and build a more inclusive world. Abilities First is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is welcoming and supportive of people of varying abilities, races, ethnicities, religions, socio-economic status, gender and gender identities. At Abilities First, you’ll join a mission-driven team that values collaboration, celebrates individuality, and is dedicated to meaningful work. If you're ready to turn your passion into purpose, we’d love to welcome you aboard.

Abilities First is seeking a Temporary School Receptionist/Secretary for our Abilities First LaGrange School program, located in Poughkeepsie, NY. This position is responsible for providing clerical support in an organized, detailed, and proactive manner. Responsible for performing secretarial responsibilities with good judgment and confidentiality. The Receptionist / Secretary will positively represent the agency by demonstrating a friendly demeanor to visitors at all times. 

Schedule: This is a 40 - hour position for 48 weeks, Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

Pay Rate: $17.20/hr. - $18.20/hr.

Responsibilities:

• Answer phones and greet visitors at door
• Assist with scheduling student tours, parent visits, and district visits
• Set up student files, maintains files as needed
• Files paperwork as needed
• Records minutes for meetings as needed
• Assures that the office equipment and the machines (telephones, copiers, fax machines, computers, printers, etc.) are in good operating conditions
• Monitors and maintains all supplies for the program
• Creates and submits PO s for orders
• Maintains the financial records for petty cash
• Completes RS2 and SED4 reports
• Assists IEP Coordinator with obtaining scripts, scheduling, ensuring forms and reports are sent home to parents in a timely manner
• Submit maintenance requests through AFI maintenance connect 
• Assist Principal with planning and coordinating school events
• Follow all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard for personal safety and the safety of others
• Performs other appropriate job-related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant
• Ensures all required trainings and certifications required are current and seeks further support and training where needed.
• Adhere to agency Standards of Conduct, which require all employees, consultants, board members, volunteers and affiliates to perform their responsibilities according to ethical and legal standards with honesty, integrity, fairness, good faith and respect for others and the law.
• Follows all agency policy and procedures and demonstrates continuous regard to personal safety and the safety of others.
• Performs other appropriate job-related activities as requested by your supervisor or as circumstances warrant.
• Will incorporate core concepts of person-centered excellence by respecting people’s concerns and responding accordingly and will use “teachable moments” to assist people in understanding and exercising their rights.

Physical Demands 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job.

Unless reasonable accommodations can be made, in order to perform the essential functions of this job, an individual shall be required to:

1. Have the ability to lift up to 50 lbs., bend, squat, bend the knees, pivot and grasp with both hands (in order to properly and safely perform the techniques taught in CPR/First Aid, behavior intervention techniques, and lifting and carrying techniques).
2. Lift individuals by using appropriate techniques, including but not limited to usage of tools to assist, such as the Hoyer Lift.
3. Assist individuals in ambulation by providing physical assistance, including use of a gait belt or other equipment where necessary.
4. Have the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
5. Have the ability to push, pull, and maneuver adults in wheelchairs.
6. Possess verbal and written communication skills, in English, to ensure adequate regulatory documentation.

• High school or Equivalency Diploma: Secretarial Curriculum and/or Business School preferred.
• Bilingual with fluency in Spanish preferred
• Minimum of (2) years secretarial and/or clerical experience. Proficient with word processing, excel, and data base systems. A combination of experience and education which in the view of the employer qualifies the individual for the position will be considered
• Must have a current NYS driver’s license, free of moving violations; deemed acceptable by our insurance carrier.