Program Officer, Vision Program

Helen Keller International; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Program Officer to join their Vision Program team in New York. This role involves managing program activities aimed at improving vision care for low-income adults and children. You will design impactful materials, supervise teams, and build relationships with community partners. If you are passionate about making a difference and have strong organizational and communication skills, this opportunity is perfect for you. Join a team that values diversity and is committed to creating lasting change in communities.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in program management.
• Proven supervisory experience in community settings.

Responsibilities

• Supervise on-site implementation teams and develop community partnerships.
• Design and implement program materials and manage data collection.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Spanish Proficiency

Community Liaison Experience

Problem-Solving Skills

IT Applications Knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a Related Field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Guided by the remarkable legacy of its co-founder, Helen Keller, Helen Keller Intl partners with communities striving to overcome longstanding cycles of poverty. By delivering the essential building blocks of good health, sound nutrition, and clear vision, we help millions of people create lasting change in their own lives. Working in more than 20 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the United States, and together with a global community of supporters, we ensure every person has the opportunity—just as Helen did—to reach their true potential.

Helen Keller is seeking a Program Officer to join the dynamic Vision Program team in New York to manage program activities in and around the five boroughs.

Background

Recognizing a lack of accessible, adequate vision care among low-income adults and children in the US, Helen Keller International established the US Vision Program (formerly known as ChildSight^®). Since 1994, Helen Keller has provided free vision screenings for more than 2.2 million individuals in the United States and provided more than 375,000 of them with prescription eyeglasses to address common vision problems.

Scope of the Position

The Program Officer will supervise on-site implementation teams, develop relationships with key school and community partners, and participate in developing work plans, schedules, and budgets. As part of the program management team, they will assist in policy development, support long-term planning and local fundraising, lead data collection for donor reports, and capture success stories.

Responsibilities

1. Program Development
   • Design, test, and implement program materials, including impact surveys, outreach, and educational materials.
   • Provide data, impact survey results, and success stories for marketing, grant proposals, and advocacy.
2. Program Management
   • Develop implementation plans with the NY Program Management Team.
   • Research targeted communities to assess needs.
   • Forecast service days, staffing, and inventory needs.
   • Develop budgets based on projected activities.
   • Create and maintain relationships with program partners.
   • Supervise vision screening, refraction assessment, and eyeglass selection teams.
   • Assist in hiring, training, and supervising staff and contractors.
   • Ensure families/guardians are informed about vision needs and insurance billing.
   • Oversee program specialists and team activities across boroughs.
   • Conduct educational sessions for participants and families.
   • Manage impact survey collection and report progress against goals.
   • Monitor and evaluate program activities, implement improvements, and ensure quality data collection.
3. Administrative Duties
   • Ensure understanding and adherence to HIPAA policies.
   • Maintain all program records according to protocols.
4. Required Skills/Abilities
   • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
   • Effective communication and interpersonal skills across cultures.
   • Experience liaising with community partners and troubleshooting.
   • Proficiency in Spanish preferred.
   • Ability to work independently, prioritize, and handle pressure positively.
   • Team-oriented, flexible, and solution-focused.
   • Willingness to travel within targeted communities, possibly using personal vehicle with insurance reimbursement.
   • Respect for diversity and high ethical standards.
   • Knowledge of IT applications, especially Microsoft Office.
   • Full COVID-19 vaccination required; mask-wearing and social distancing observed when necessary.
5. Education and Experience
   • Bachelor's degree in a related field with at least 5 years' relevant experience or equivalent.
   • Proven supervisory experience meeting program goals.
   • Experience in community settings and with adolescents preferred.
6. Compensation

   The salary range midpoint is $76,000, with a minimum of $60,800 and a maximum of $91,200, based on experience and internal benchmarks.