Program Assistant (CFF)

College Futures Foundation - Oakland, CA; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health benefits

Commuter benefits

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The College Futures Foundation is seeking a full-time Program Assistant in Oakland, CA, to provide program and grants management support. This role involves managing meetings, reviewing grant reports, and supporting grantmaking processes.

The ideal candidate will possess strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a minimum of one year of administrative experience. Competitive salary ranging from $47,000 to $55,000, along with excellent benefits, is offered.

Qualifications

• One year of administrative work experience preferred.
• Experience in educational, non-profit, or foundation sectors is a plus.
• Event management experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage scheduling and logistics for external and internal meetings.
• Review and synthesize grant reports for compliance.
• Support staff in the grantmaking process, ensuring timely deliverables.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong writing and editing skills

Communication and coordination skills

Event management

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

CRM software skills (Salesforce)

Education

Bachelor’s or associate’s degree

Coursework in public policy, social welfare, or education

Job description

The program assistant is a full‑time staff member responsible for providing program and grants management support for the Foundation’s program and communications teams. The program assistant position reports to the grants manager. The position is non‑exempt and its duties include, but are not limited to:

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Program Support

• Manage and schedule external convenings and other foundation‑sponsored events for grantees or other partners, including assisting with communications and logistical arrangements.
• Organize and schedule internal meetings, working with staff to prepare and assemble relevant correspondence and materials for those meetings. Make certain all appropriate materials are circulated well in advance to appropriate parties in preparation for those meetings. Take minutes when appropriate for these meetings.
• Review and synthesize the most relevant aspects of grant reports, ensuring that reports include information requested in report guidelines and grant agreements. Review financial reports to ensure grant funds are expended as intended.
• Provide clerical and administrative support as needed, including managing contacts and mailing lists in Salesforce.
• Perform general duties, undertake research projects, and handle other special projects as assigned.

Grants Management Support

• Coordinate the process for consultant contracts from initiation to invoice approvals. For contracts related to Foundation Administered Projects (FAPs) work, with the senior accountant to reconcile records between the grants management and accounting systems. For assigned staff members, monitor FAP budgets and consultant contracts, and ensure invoices are authorized, reviewed, processed, and paid in a timely manner.
• Support staff in the grantmaking process, from pre‑proposal through closing and archiving. Ensure the timely receipt of requested deliverables, including concept papers and proposal submissions. Communicate with grantees as needed.
• Assist with organization and maintenance of electronic grant records, ensuring that records are complete and relevant documentation is captured.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or associate’s degree preferred. Coursework in public policy, social welfare, or education is a plus.
• A minimum of one year of administrative work experience. Experience in educational, non‑profit or foundation sectors, in a fast‑paced service delivery or grant‑making environment where they organized, analyzed and synthesized information is a plus.
• Event management experience is also a plus.

Skills and Attributes

• Ability to perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail and to anticipate informational needs as situations and projects develop.
• Ability to compose and/or transcribe correspondence and documents. Possess strong writing and editing skills, and a critical eye for style, grammar, consistency, punctuation, and sentence structure.
• Excellent externally‑facing communication and coordination skills, including the ability to interact with diverse audiences and to plan and manage events.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, conflicting priorities and deadlines efficiently and accurately in a fast‑paced working environment.
• Excellent clerical and computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and customer relationship management software such as Salesforce.
• Ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, judgment and discretion, particularly related to sensitive or confidential information.
• An approachable and respectful manner and an ability to comfortably interact with people from many different backgrounds.
• A sense of humor, flexibility, and the ability to contribute to a collegial, respectful, and supportive office environment.

This full‑time position is located in downtown Oakland (near the 19th Street BART station), with some travel required.

College Futures Foundation is an equal opportunity employer to all regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, or sexual orientation.

Compensation

This permanent, full‑time position offers competitive compensation and excellent health, commuter and retirement benefits. Annual salary is $47,000 - $55,000.