Chantelle Ruidant-Hansen is a San Antonio native who currently works as a bilingual Visual Interpretation Specialist at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. She began her journey with the park back in 2017 as a MANO Project intern and after interning there for two years, was able to obtain a permanent position as the first ever bilingual VIS.

Pastors Juan and Rocio Almanza hail from Colombia, but have resided in Henderson, NV, for many years, pastoring outside of the Las Vegas area. For more than 10 years, they have worked alongside Hispanic Access Foundation to support our community-focused programs, most recently serving as program managers for our COVID-19 vaccination program.

Pastor Jesus Garcia and his wife Bethzaida Perez-Villegas recently moved from San Juan, Puerto Rico to New London, CT. Within a year of relocating to the area, they have established a strong relationship with the community and have run a successful vaccination program to get community members vaccinated against COVID-19.

Moses Borjas from El Paso, TX, has dedicated the past five years to working on a campaign looking to designate Castner Range as a national monument. Since then, he has become a staunch advocate for the landscape that surrounds El Paso, which has gained momentum this year, getting them closer to their end goal.

Originally from Southern California, Carina pursued a Bachelor of Science in International Agricultural Development at the University of California, Davis, providing her with a solid foundation in understanding diverse communities and sustainable development. She is an AmeriCorps alumna, having served with the American Red Cross in Disaster Cycle Services. Here, she found fulfillment in assisting those in need, particularly in her local community. Her fluency in Spanish proved invaluable as she became one of the few individuals capable of bridging language barriers and providing essential support to Spanish-speaking individuals during times of crisis. Carina has worked with the California Conservation Corps where she onboarded new young adults to the program and lead conservation awareness and career development training. In her last role, she worked with Solar Cookers International, an organization which focuses on providing solar cooking solutions to communities in need, particularly in regions where access to clean cooking fuels is limited or unavailable.

Why she works for Hispanic Access…

“I am excited to be part of an organization that empowers Hispanic communities by providing access to education, resources, and opportunities all while prioritizing diversity and inclusivity, creating a space where I can bring my unique perspective and experiences to the table.”

In her spare time…

“I enjoy being out in nature, reading, or spending time with my siblings. I love journaling and have an ever growing collection of pens and inks.”

Her favorite book…

“I love the Harry Potter series. I remember this being the first set of novels that I read outside of a school setting, and I enjoyed it so much that it sparked my love for reading. My family gifted me a set of the books and they were something I deeply cherished.”

A person she finds inspirational…

“The person I find most inspirational in my life is my father. My dad has worked hard all his life to give his family better opportunities and has always been a pillar of support for me. He instilled in me a strong work ethic, the importance of taking responsibility, and the commitment to giving my best effort in everything that I do."

As the Conservation Communications Associate, Arturo provides Spanish-bilingual communications media and media outreach to increase the visibility and impact of Hispanic Access’ conservation program.

Prior to joining Hispanic Access, Arturo was a communications lead at an international environmental conservation organization and a consultant at a U.S.-Mexico binational environmental conservation organization. He is the person who led the movement and multi-year campaign to educate the public and legislate the prohibition of plastic bags south of the border, in Tijuana, Mexico.

Arturo has a B.A. in Biology from San Diego State University and an M.S. in Resilient and Sustainable Communities from Prescott College.

Why he works for Hispanic Access…

“As a newly arrived student in the U.S., I felt lost trying to navigate the world and the environmental conservation workplace, where I was always the only Latino. I could have greatly benefited if Hispanic Access Foundation had been around so they could connect me to resources and opportunities. Now I want to help and empower others to become environmental conservationists and community leaders.”

In his spare time…

“I exercise. Exercise is my therapy and my self-care time. I go to the gym, to ballet class, or go running.”

His favorite book…

“I have always been interested in meditation and the mind. The Biology of Belief by Dr. Bruce Lipton was the book that blew my mind.”

A person he finds inspirational…

“I don’t have a single person that inspires me. I tend to be inspired by colleagues and 'normal' people hustling and achieving great things despite their day-to-day obstacles and challenges.”

Administrative Coordinator, MANO Project

Founded in 2010, Hispanic Access Foundation is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit organization that connects Latinos with partners and opportunities to improve their lives and create an equitable society. Ultimately, we establish bridges of access that provide a path for the development and rise of Latino leaders and elevates their voices in areas where we are underrepresented. Our core values are trust, dedication, excellence, service to comunidad and versatility. While Washington, D.C. serves as our headquarters, employees work in a virtual environment.

Hispanic Access’ MANO Project connects, builds and develops thoughtful Latino leaders who share a passion for serving and strengthening their communities. Currently MANO works with several federal agencies to provide paid professional development and training opportunities for Latino/a college students and graduates. We provide extensive training, mentoring and professional development support to ensure that students have the tools, tips and knowledge to be outstanding contributors, navigate challenges and make the most of their experience. Through site visits, webinars, mentorship connections and links to the Hispanic Access network, participants are strongly positioned for success and high impact.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Administrative Coordinator plays a vital role to the MANO Project by providing administrative support to the team and coordinating HR-related activities for interns and fellows. This position is responsible for managing administrative tasks and supporting various HR functions such as recruitment, onboarding and intern records.

ROLE/RESPONSIBILITIES

HR Administrative Support

• Assist in the maintenance and management of intern records, ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance.
• Prepare HR-related documentation, including employment contracts, offer letters, and termination letters.
• Coordinate and schedule interviews, including arranging logistics and communicating with candidates.
• Support HR projects and initiatives as directed by HR management.
• Approve timesheets, monitor overtime and corresponding approvals

Recruitment and Onboarding

• Assist in the recruitment process by posting job advertisements, reviewing resumes, and coordinating interviews.
• Conduct initial screening of candidates and maintain communication throughout the recruitment process.
• Coordinate pre-employment activities, including background checks, reference checks, and new hire paperwork.
• Facilitate the onboarding process for new interns, including conducting orientations and coordinating training activities.
• Collaborate with the MANO Project Director team to ensure a smooth and positive onboarding experience.

Employee Relations and Support

• Respond to intern inquiries and provide general HR-related support.
• Assist with intern communications, including distribution of policies and updates.
• Assist in maintaining positive intern relations and resolving intern issues, escalating as necessary.
• Assist in arranging/coordinating travel for interns
• Maintain the intern intranet content and serve as point of contact
• Support intern offboarding processes
• Conduct intern surveys as directed

Data Management and Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date intern information in HR systems and databases.
• Generate reports and metrics as required.
• Assist in data analysis and preparation of presentations for management.
• Support audits and compliance activities, ensuring data accuracy and adherence to regulations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in human resources, business administration, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Previous experience in an administrative role, with exposure to HR functions.
• Solid understanding of HR policies, procedures, and employment laws.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• The ability and willingness to work in a virtual/remote environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain positive relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Experience with Salesforce is a plus
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) is a plus

LOCATION

The location of this position is flexible, however, the Washington, D.C. metro area would be a plus. This is a fully remote position.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

The salary range for this position is $50,00-$60,000 annually depending on qualifications and experience. In addition to working remotely, Hispanic Access offers full-time employees a generous benefits package that includes a 100% paid health, dental, and vision for the individual, an unlimited vacation policy, 10 sick days per year, 13 paid holidays, a monthly phone/internet stipend and a 401(k) plan with employer match.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your resume and a cover letter to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with “Administrative Coordinator” in the subject line.

Hispanic Access Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Norma Chairez first began working with Hispanic Access as a Latino Heritage Internship Program intern and then got involved in their historic preservation efforts. Chairez has contributed to both Place, Story and Culture white papers.

Keila Vizcarra served as a Latino Conservation Week Ambassador in 2021 and previously interned for the U.S. Forest Service through the MANO Project.