job: program officer, Oakland, with salary info

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

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


WORK FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

PROGRAM OFFICER POSITION
With Common Counsel Foundation

The Common Counsel Foundation seeks an experienced, enthusiastic 
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 that support a variety of economic, social, 
environmental justice and sustainability initiatives across California 
and the Western States. Common Counsel members currently 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: the Windcall Institute 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. 
Grantmaking collaboratives are formed between both grantmakers and 
retreat programs, fostering synergy between the Abelard and Acorn 
Foundations, the Penney Family Fund, the Honig Fund and the Grassroots 
Exchange Fund.


Core Responsibilities
The Program Officer works closely with the Executive Director and 
Program Associate on all aspects of Common Counsel’s programs including 
grantmaking, the Mesa Refuge and Windcall retreats, and new fund 
development. The core responsibility of the Program Officer is the 
strategic and efficient implementation of Common Counsel’s grantmaking 
program, which currently consists of approximately 200 grants per year. 
Regular responsibilities include:

1. Lead grantmaking strategy and program – develop goals, objectives and 
activities.
2. Supervise Program staff in CCF grantmaking and resident program 
management. Oversee client services and grants administration.
3. Supervise and participate in all aspects of the grantmaking process, 
including screening proposals, grantee due diligence, analyzing grantee 
progress reports, interviewing potential grantees, writing and preparing 
dockets (grant recommendation books), docket presentation at foundation 
meetings, preparing grantee lists.
4. Track sector trends and foster relationships with sector leadership.
5. Support ED in overall organizational development strategy, program 
planning and new fund development.
6. Respond to inquiries and requests for information (via phone, mail, 
email) by trustees, grant-seeking organizations, organizers, and sector 
colleagues.

The ideal candidate will have a work history in the philanthropic or 
non-profit sector and will demonstrate a commitment to human rights, the 
protection and preservation of the environment, environmental justice, 
and economic justice. Prior grant making and/or organizing experience 
with a community-based social change organization are preferred. The 
qualified candidate must be able to work collaboratively with trustees, 
philanthropic donors, grantees and other foundation colleagues. She/he 
must be able to manage multiple and competing priorities, work well 
under pressure with a variety of individuals and balance multiple 
deadlines. Prior project management and docket writing/editing 
experience required. Strong planning, analytical and written and verbal 
communication skills are necessary. Proficiency in using Microsoft 
programs (Word and Excel) and Filemaker Pro databases is required. Prior 
experience with MacIntosh computers is preferred, but not required. 
Occasional tr

avel for board meetings and national conferences may be required.

As the primary point of contact for family trustees and CCF grantees, 
the Program Officer 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 Officer position salary is $48,000-$55,000 depending on 
experience. Common Counsel Foundation offers a flexible schedule, plus 
generous health, dental, vision, 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 
April 11, 2008.

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.

-- 
Sue Hutchinson, Senior Program Officer
Common Counsel Foundation
678 13th St., Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94612
email: sue at commoncounsel.org
phone: (510) 834-2995
fax: (510) 834-2998
www.commoncounsel.org