Program Officer - Children, Youth, and Families (FFF)

The Ford Family Foundation; Roseburg (OR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ford Family Foundation, based in Roseburg, Oregon, is seeking a Program Officer to lead efforts promoting early childhood success, including kindergarten readiness and alignment from preschool to third grade. The role emphasizes cross-system collaboration to strengthen supports for rural children prenatal to age 8.

Ideal candidates have 5–7 years in early learning or child health/welfare, a bachelor’s degree, and a graduate degree preferred.

Qualifications

• Experience in early childhood development or health/welfare systems is preferred.
• Understanding of rural contexts and challenges is essential.
• Strong collaboration and partnership-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and implement the Foundation’s work to promote early childhood success and kindergarten readiness.
• Collaborate with program officers and external partners to strengthen supports for children prenatal to age 8 in rural areas.
• Support cross-cutting initiatives across systems (public, private, nonprofit) to improve outcomes and equity.
• Travel within Oregon and Siskiyou County, California as needed.

Job description

Program Officer - Children, Youth, and Families (FFF)

Posted on February 05, 2020

The Organization

A national leader in rural philanthropy, The Ford Family Foundation is a private foundation benefiting communities in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. The Foundation targets all of its philanthropic tools – grants, scholarships, capacity building, convening, research, and strengthening stateside systems - to improving conditions in rural communities and increasing the wellbeing of children and families who live in those communities.

The Opportunity

The Program Officer will manage the Foundation’s work to promote early childhood success and kindergarten readiness. The Foundation is increasingly focused on the interconnectedness between our public, private, nonprofit, and community systems, and identifying how they must work together more effectively for improved outcomes in rural communities. The Program Officer will manage and carry out a significant portion of the Foundation’s work aimed at improving outcomes for children prenatal to age 8, while contributing to the Foundation’s broader, cross-cutting efforts to strengthen supports for children, youth, and families in rural areas. Leading with a partnership orientation, the Program Officer will be charged with effectively building bridges and synergy with other key systems that impact the wellbeing of children prenatal to 8 years of age. Utilizing both responsive and directed grantmaking approaches, this portfolio includes strategies related to kindergarten readiness and early school success, including pre-school to third grade alignment, quality childcare, family supports and early literacy. This individual will work closely with other Foundation program officers and partners from overlapping issue areas to build and strengthen the systems that enable rural children, youth, and families to thrive.

Desired Qualifications

We are seeking a well-rounded individual who is passionate about promoting children’s success and strengthening the well-being of children and families in rural communities. The ideal candidate will have a strong base of knowledge and experience in early childhood development, an understanding of systems for early learning, health, or child welfare, and, direct experience working in rural communities.

Candidates must have a minimum of 5 to 7 years of experience in the fields of early learning and/or child health/welfare. A current understanding of rural contexts, issues, and challenges is essential.

A bachelor’s degree is required and a graduate degree in a relevant subject is preferred. Candidates will be considered from diverse backgrounds that might include foundations, nonprofits, or public sector programs or agencies.

The position is based in Roseburg, Oregon and residency in Douglas County is required without exception. Approximately 30% of time will involve travel within Oregon and Siskiyou County, California.

The Ford Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.