Posted on March 2, 2013

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Program Associate

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation (Foundation) is a family foundation that is guided by the enduring business philosophy and personal values of Lucile and David Packard, who helped found one of the world’s leading technology companies. Their approach to business and community participation has guided our philanthropy for nearly 50 years. Today, their children and grandchildren continue to help guide the work of the Foundation. The Foundation makes grants at the local, state, national, and international level.

The Foundation works on the issues their founders cared about most, which are improving the lives of children; enabling the creative pursuit of science; advancing reproductive health; conserving and restoring the earth’s natural systems; and supporting and strengthening an array of local nonprofit organizations.

A staff of 110 conducts the day-to-day operations and a Board of Trustees oversees the work of the Foundation. David and Lucile Packard passed on to the Foundation the following core set of values: integrity; respect for all people; belief in individual leadership; commitment to effectiveness; and the capacity to think big.

The Conservation and Science Program is focused on the challenge of sustainability, finding development paths that meet human needs while protecting and restoring the ecological systems upon which all life depends. We invest in action and in ideas. The Foundation supports initiatives to secure public policy reforms and changes in private sector practices, and scientific activities that develop knowledge and tools critical for addressing current and future priorities. Within the Conservation and Science Program, the Agriculture subprogram aims to improve the environmental performance of agriculture, while also ensuring a thriving agriculture and food system that meets the needs for nutrition, employment, and economic development. The goal of the Agriculture subprogram is to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen pollution caused by agriculture in the United States and by biofuels globally.

Position Description

We seek an experienced program associate who will report to the program officer responsible for program operations and will provide associate-level program support for the Agriculture program officer and program director. Duties will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Assist in maintaining positive and productive grantee relationships with a wide range of organizations and individuals
  
• Work closely and interact with the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) according to their processes and timeline requirements
  
• Learn and be able to explain the Agriculture program strategy; participate in strategy refinement as needed
  
• Contribute to the timely preparation of the monthly grant process, quarterly grant docket, and semi-annual dashboard documents and processes
  
• Create and maintain grant files according to Foundation and CLUA polices; use a database (GIFTS) to manage individual grant information
  
• Monitor the subprogram grant budget and maintain the subprogram grant tracking system
  
• Facilitate the development and management of the subprogram administrative budget
  
• Meet Foundation, Conservation and Science Program, Agriculture subprogram, and CLUA deadlines while producing work that meets or exceeds quality guidelines
  
• Compose, proofread, and correct documents such that no further checking is required
  
• Monitor grants for Foundation legal, financial, and program compliance requirements
  
• Proactively research and assemble relevant information for correspondence, reports, and meetings
  
• Participate in and lead meetings to produce collaborative work products and improve processes; as needed take notes, keep records, and track and follow up on action items
  
• Respond in a timely, professional, and courteous manner to inquiries and other requests for information from applicants, grantees, and staff
  
• Compose biweekly progress reports, general correspondence, denial letters, and other documents
  
• Track meeting expenses and work with staff to ensure attendees are reimbursed in a timely fashion
  
• Organize and maintain departmental electronic and paper files
  
• Coordinate and schedule on-site and off-site meetings for both internal and external participants
  
• Work closely and effectively with other members of the Conservation and Science program support team
  
• Other duties or projects as assigned
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Meets deadlines and completes tasks (both internal and external) with a high degree of accuracy and dependability
  
• Highly effective written and oral communications skills; actively participates in group meetings
  
• Detail-oriented with excellent written grammar and proofreading skills
  
• Able to multitask with well-developed organizational skills
  
• Manages and prioritizes own time and uses strong judgment skills to handle non-routine matters
  
• Able to anticipate information needed by others as situations and projects develop
  
• Consistently interacts with others in a professional, courteous, and tactful manner; maintains a positive attitude and good working relationships
  
• Works well with colleagues, consultants, funders, and grantees across many diverse cultures and backgrounds
  
• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to suggest and implement process improvements when needed
  
• Works independently and as a productive team member in varied activities and projects
  
• Flexible and able to work with humor and grace under pressure
  
• Excellent skills and strong knowledge of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
  
• Willing to learn and become proficient at computer applications such as MicroEdge GIFTS for grantmaking
  
• Consistent and dependable for full-time work and willing to work overtime when occasionally required by work demands
  
• Knowledge and understanding of issues pertaining to agriculture policy a plus

Physical Demands

Education and Experience

College degree or equivalent education and experience and a minimum of 3-5 years of administrative experience

Benefits and Compensation

Application Instructions

Please send an email referring to job number 13-05-6720R in the subject line along with a resume and one-page cover letter explaining your interest and how your skills and work experience fit the position to jobs@packard.org.
No phone inquiries please.

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation is an equal employment opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants.

The Foundation uses an outside firm to check the accuracy of information supplied by applicants.

Principal applicants only.

Additional information about the Foundation can be found at www.packard.org.