job: program associate, Oakland CA

[colist at comm-org.wisc.edu]

[ed: this job post includes salary info.]

From: "Sue Hutchinson, Common Counsel" <sue at commoncounsel.org>


Please post. Thanks!

WORK FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE POSITION
With Common Counsel Foundation

The Common Counsel Foundation seeks an energetic, eager-to-learn 
individual to join a dynamic team committed to making an impact in the 
philanthropic sector and social change community. If you are a highly 
capable individual seeking a challenging, fast-paced and demanding 
environment where resourcefulness and independence are essential – you 
will find this opportunity exciting.

Located in historic Preservation Park in Oakland, California, the Common 
Counsel Foundation (CCF) is a consortium of small family foundations and 
individual donors, each that support a variety of economic, social and 
environmental justice initiatives across California and the Western 
States. Common Counsel members make approximately $1.5 million in grants 
annually. In addition to its grantmaking programs, CCF operates two 
residential retreat programs for social change organizers and writers: 
Windcall and the Mesa Refuge.

Common Counsel is known and respected for its timely, responsive and 
collaborative grantmaking; support for grassroots movement building 
through small, strategic grants and retreat programs; shared values 
between staff, board and programs; and for its focus in specific issue 
areas that range from living wage campaigns to immigrant rights, voter 
education, civil rights, environmental organizing (especially in Native 
American communities across the West), and campaign finance reform.

Core Responsibilities
The Program Associate works closely with the Executive Director and 
Senior Program Officer on all aspects of Common Counsel’s programs 
including grantmaking, the Mesa Refuge retreat, and donor development. 
The core responsibility of the Program Associate is the efficient 
administration and coordination of Common Counsel’s year around program 
work. Regular responsibilities include:
1. Overseeing general office operations and reception.
2. Responding to all inquiries and requests for information (via phone, 
mail, email) by grant-seeking organizations, organizers, and potential 
donors.
3. Assisting in all aspects of the grantmaking process, including 
screening proposals, maintaining proposal files, preparing grant 
agreements, contracts and grantee lists, analyzing grantee progress 
reports, and helping to write and prepare dockets (grant recommendation 
books).
4. Administering Common Counsel’s small grants program, the Grassroots 
Exchange Fund.
5. Maintaining grantee and organizational outreach databases.
6. Assisting with the preparation, development and planning of outreach 
for the Mesa Refuge retreat program; assisting with the retreat’s 
selection process and coordinating communication with national selection 
committee.
7. Assisting with development, planning and coordination of Common 
Counsel’s special projects, events and meetings.

The ideal candidate will have a work history in the non-profit sector 
and will demonstrate a commitment to human rights, the protection and 
preservation of the environment, environmental justice, and economic 
justice. Prior organizing and/or development experience with a 
community-based social change organization is preferred. The qualified 
candidate must be able to work independently in a small organization 
with multiple projects and will be expected to initiate and complete 
tasks without extensive supervision. She/he must be able to manage 
multiple and competing priorities, work well under pressure with a 
variety of individuals and to balance multiple deadlines. Prior project 
management and editing experience preferred. Strong written and verbal 
communication skills are required. Proficiency in using Microsoft 
programs (Word and Excel) and Filemaker Pro databases is required. Prior 
experience with MacIntosh computers and website design and maintenance 
is preferred, but not required. Occasional travel for board meetings and 
national conferences may be required.

As the first point of contact for community-based organizations and 
organizers approaching Common Counsel member foundations, the Program 
Associate must demonstrate resourcefulness, patience and discretion. 
Common Counsel staff values a sense of humor, enthusiasm, attention to 
detail, high standards and a willingness to work as a team.


Salary and Benefits

The Program Associate position salary is $32,000-$35,000 depending on 
experience. Common Counsel Foundation offers a flexible schedule, plus 
generous health, dental, retirement, and vacation benefits.

Please send via e-mail, a cover letter, resume, short writing sample 
(including docket write-ups if available) and three references to 
Cynthia Carey-Grant, Executive Director at admin at commoncounsel.org by 
January 25, 2007.

Or via US mail:
Common Counsel Foundation
678 13th Street, #100
Oakland, CA 94612.

www.commoncounsel.org.

No telephone calls, please.

Common Counsel Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.