Careers

TITLE: Program Officer
REPORTS TO: Vice President, Community Investment
STATUS: Regular, Full-time, Exempt

POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Program Officer engages directly with community residents, nonprofit staff members, other funders and board members to assist in the design and implementation of the Community Foundation’s strategic initiatives and grantmaking. This position assists in advancing racial, social and economic equity by developing strategies that are responsive to the region’s needs, play a civic leadership role and assess impact.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Implement Community Engagement Efforts
  • Assume the primary role in developing and maintaining relationships with community members, neighborhood leaders and residents of the city of Syracuse and Central New York
  • Maintain a strong community presence among residents through weekly presence at community events
  • Conduct research to identify and implement best practices for community engagement
  • Utilize data (including the Life Needs Assessment) to identify areas of community need or challenges, collaborate with residents and nonprofit partners to further investigate these needs, collaboratively develop appropriate responses and asses their impact. This may include such approaches as participatory budgeting and human-centered design.
  • Work with the Communications Department as the main point of contact for community engagement related media interactions and communication needs.
• Manage The Leadership Classroom Program (TLC)
  • Communicate with consultants in the planning and implementation of the program
  • Engage directly with participants, manage the grant process, and provide direction to the fellow/intern assigned to TLC
  • Coordinate annual alumni event(s) and attend monthly weekend and/or evening class sessions
• Assist in the implementation of the Community Grants program
  • Review and analyze proposals through written materials, site visits, interviews with other funders and relevant agencies
  • Prepare and present written and oral analyses of grant requests to Community Foundation staff, board, donors and/or committee members
• Work with members of the Community Investment team to strategize and implement community engagement activities, budgets, and programs
• Represent the Community Foundation at various forums, convening events, summits and other public venues
• Assist Vice President with formal supervision and direct oversight of Snow Fellows, Interns, and/or support staff as assigned
• Support the work of the Black Equity & Excellence Fund and other diversity equity and inclusion related work with residents
• Support and expand the work of the Life Needs Assessment to ensure it is used to serve the needs of residents.
• Other duties as assigned

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Track record of engaging with community members and residents in Syracuse and the Central New York area
• Deep interest in and commitment to philanthropy and the work of the Community Foundation, with a demonstrated commitment to the Central New York area, its people and their concerns
• Familiarity with Central New York and its opportunities and challenges
• Superior attention to detail and high level of organization
• Superior customer service skills to external and internal constituents
• Minimum of 5 years of related work experience, with a strong preference for direct service experience in nonprofit, government or social services sectors
• Computer proficiency including knowledge of Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn all appropriate Community Foundation software
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, participate as an effective team member and follow tasks through to completion

TIME REQUIREMENT: This is a full-time, exempt position requiring 37.5 hours per week. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with some flexibility but it is also anticipated that many community engagement activities will occur on evenings and weekends.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Annual salary range starts at $60,000. Employee benefits include health insurance, annual vacation and sick days, twelve paid holidays, term life insurance, additional disability insurance, parking, 401(k) retirement savings program with employer contribution and match, optional flex spending accounts for medical or dependent care expenses and other benefits as outlined in the employee handbook.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a letter of interest and resume to careers@cnycf.org. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.