JOB TITLE: Program Officer, STEM Education Program
Out-of-School Time (OST) Portfolio
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 learning across both in-school and out-of-school settings.

As part of a nine-person STEM Education Program team based in San Francisco, California, the Program Officer for the STEM Education Program’s Out-of-School-Time (OST) Portfolio will be responsible for advancing program strategies and managing a portfolio of grants focused on supporting and expanding high quality STEM learning and engagement in informal science institutions and out-of-school settings for California’s K-8 youth. The Program Officer will report to the STEM Program Lead for Out-of-School-Time Engagement, and will work closely and collaboratively with the rest of the STEM team and Foundation staff.

The Program Officer should be a person with demonstrated skills and experience in STEM learning and engagement working in informal science institutions and/or out-of-school environments with 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:
• Manage a portfolio of grants within the Foundation’s STEM Education Program that builds the leadership and organizational capacity of the informal science and OST sectors to advance quality STEM learning in OST settings across California;
• Follow and refresh as needed a focused and thoughtful STEM in OST strategy to attain its short, intermediate, and long-term goals, and ensure that each grant makes progress toward those goals;
• Develop partnerships with and build the capacity of key leaders in the California OST and informal science fields in order to foster leadership for STEM learning;
• Develop and implement grantmaking strategies to leverage OST learning time to support California school districts in the implementation of the new math and science standards;
• Work collaboratively with other funding partners to advance informal STEM learning and engagement;
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the STEM and OST field, including current issues and resources and how they fit with Foundation’s priorities.
• Communicate complex public policy, academic and research findings and issues in straightforward language to different audiences.
• Perform due diligence on program investment opportunities via site visits, examination of financial data, organizational analysis, etc.;
• Coordinate grantmaking in collaboration with the rest of the STEM Education Program team;
• Prepare 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; advanced degree preferred;
• At least seven years in a nonprofit program officer level position or equivalent relevant experience;
• Experience working in science/STEM education in formal (school-based) or informal settings, preferably with K-8 youth and an understanding of the OST field in California;
• Familiarity with the new math and science standards;
• A strong team player who brings professionalism, an ability to solve problems, strategic thinking, to the overall STEM team and Foundation as a whole;
• Some background in research and evaluation design;
• Experience with organizational capacity and leadership development strategies;
• 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;
• Strong technology skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office software;
• Strong organizational skills with an excellent attention to detail;
• Self-starter, resourceful and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills; and
• Willingness and ability to travel (approximately 20%), primarily within California.
• A valid driver’s license highly desirable
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
A candidate must have the ability to communicate through both oral and written means and to sit for extended periods both in meetings and at a computer
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 submit an email with “STEM OST Program Officer Application” in the subject line, a cover letter and resume to SDBJrRecruiter@sdbjrfoundation.org by January 25, 2013. Please provide all information electronically, no phone calls.