JOB TITLE: Program Officer, STEM Education Program
LOCATION: San Francisco, CA
FULL/PART TIME: Full-time
REGULAR/TEMPORARY: Regular
EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT Exempt

BACKGROUND

The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and Stephen Bechtel Fund (together, the “Foundation”) are dedicated to advancing a productive, vibrant, and sustainable California. To that end, the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Education Program seeks to strengthen educational systems to engage K-8 students in STEM.

As part of an eight-person STEM Education Program team based in San Francisco, California, the Program Officer will manage a portfolio of grants that supports excellent STEM instruction in California’s K-8 classrooms. The Program Officer will report to the STEM Program Lead for In-School Teaching and Learning, and will work closely and collaboratively with the rest of the STEM team.

The Program Officer should be a person with demonstrated skills in STEM education and in working with K-8 or K–12 school districts. The Program Officer should have a demonstrated track record of leadership and proven success in building and sustaining strong working partnerships across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The broad goals and responsibilities of the Program Officer include, but are not limited to:
• Support the strategic selection process of district grantees to implement the new math and science standards;
• Manage a portfolio of grants within the Foundation’s STEM Education Program that builds California school district capacity in K-8 STEM, including implementation of the new standards;
• Develop and implement grantmaking strategies that support California school districts in convening and sharing best practices in implementing the new math and science standards;
• Perform due diligence on program investment opportunities via site visits, examination of financial data, organizational analysis, etc.;
• Develop, review, and recommend other grants, as needed, for the STEM Education Program;
• Coordinate grantmaking in collaboration with the rest of the STEM Education Program team;
• Prepare, edit, and modify documents, including research reports, presentations, and proposals, and present them to Foundation staff, grantees, and/or funding partners;
• On a project basis, review analytical research on a variety of policies, programs, and issues around K–12 STEM education in California;
• Educate Foundation staff and Board members about specific STEM Education Program strategies and grantees, through both oral and written communications;
• Participate as requested on Foundation committees that review and recommend processes and procedures for improving the way the Foundation operates;
• Attend and/or plan training and networking events with nonprofits and other foundations; and
• Produce own correspondence, calendar, etc., and do editing as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university, and at least seven years in a nonprofit program officer level position or equivalent relevant experience;
• Advanced degree preferred;
• Experience working with one or more of California’s K–12 school districts, preferably related to STEM;
• Deep understanding of the new math and science standards;
• Ability to self-manage priorities and goals for projects;
• Ability to use sound judgment and discretion in responding to issues, concerns, and inquiries about the Foundation;
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software;
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills;
• Strong organizational skills with an excellent attention to detail;
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills; and
• Willingness and ability to travel (25-30% time), primarily within California.
SALARY AND BENEFITS

A competitive compensation package is available, including a salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, and a comprehensive benefits package.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please send an email with “STEM In-School Program Officer Application” in the subject line, a resume and letter of interest to SDBjrRecruiter@sdbjrfoundation.org or mail an application to:

Human Resources
S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation
199 Fremont Street
19th Floor
San Francisco, California 94105

Applications are due by November 30, 2012. No phone calls or in-person applications, please.