Program Officer - Early Childhood

Description

Organizational Background

A national leader in rural philanthropy, The Ford Family Foundation is a private foundation benefiting communities in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, Calif. In 1957, Kenneth W. Ford & Hallie

E. Ford established a then-modest foundation to give back to the timber communities of southwest Oregon. It grew in size, scope and geography to become The Ford Family Foundation in 1996, with its main office in Roseburg, Oregon. One of the three largest grantmaking foundations in Oregon, The Ford Family Foundation has assets of $1.2 billion, an annual budget of approximately $55 million, an eight-member Board of Directors and 59 employees located in two office locations and in rural communities throughout Oregon and Siskiyou.

Purpose/The Opportunity

The Ford Family Foundation knows that kids with strong support systems and opportunities grow up ready to succeed and contribute to the well-being of their communities. Yet these essential systems and opportunities are often less available for kids and families in rural areas. We are committed to closing these gaps. Through grantmaking, scholarships, research, convening, collaboration, grassroots power building and a focus on systems change, we work to ensure that rural kids grow up in thriving communities with strong starts and bright futures.

The aim of the Children, Youth and Families (CYF) Department is to increase the number of children in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County who are thriving, supported and prepared to transition successfully to adulthood. The Department focuses on:

• Supporting rural families to provide children with a nurturing, safe and stable foundation;
• Kindergarten readiness and early education; and
• K-12 experiences that prepare youth to transition successfully beyond high school.

We work to ensure that local and state policies and systems respond to the needs of rural communities, recognizing supported families and communities are key to children’s success. We proudly embrace our role as a rural advocate, bringing statewide attention to issues impacting rural people and places and supporting rural leaders to advance systems change.

The Program Officer will support the CYF Department and the Foundation with early care and education expertise and a strong understanding of the systems that shape outcomes for young children — birth through transition to K-12. Our early childhood education strategies focus on family stabilization, balancing community-driven innovations and systems-level improvements. We specifically focus on:

• Financially resilient, early education programs that families can afford;
• State and local early education policies and investments that reflect the priorities and needs of rural families; and
• Making sure educators, rural early education programs and workforce are strong, growing and thriving.

This work contributes to rural children being ready for kindergarten which, in turn, supports a thriving rural economy and vibrant communities. The portfolio includes both responsive and proactive grantmaking/field-building approaches, with a targeted focus on quality early care and education. The Program Officer reports directly to the Director of Children, Youth and Families.

This is an exempt position and the annual wage is $103,000 - $116,000, depending on experience. Our excellent benefit package includes paid time off and holidays, health and dental insurance, a health savings account, a generous retirement plan, a matching gifts program, access to an employee assistance program, professional development opportunities, rejuvenation leave and more. Performance and compensation are reviewed at least annually.

Position Location Options & Preferences

Preference will be given to candidates located in or willing to relocate to Roseburg, OR.

Hybrid (within 40 miles of Roseburg, OR)

• Minimum of three days per week in the Roseburg office
• Residency within 40 miles of Roseburg is required
• Relocation assistance is available

Field-Based (rural Oregon)

• Regular in-office attendance at Roseburg office is required, averaging at least 20% of scheduled work time
• Rural Oregon includes the small towns and unincorporated places…