Program Officer Children, Youth and Families

Program Officer – Children, Youth & Families Organizational Background

A national leader in rural philanthropy, The Ford Family Foundation is a private foundation benefiting communities in rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. 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 in excess of $1 billion, an annual budget of approximately $55 million, a seven‑member Board of Directors and 57 employees located in two office locations and in rural communities throughout Oregon and Siskiyou.

The Ford Family Foundation is focused on ensuring that children have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life. We are committed to the rural communities of Oregon and Siskiyou County, California with investments in rural community‑building, grantmaking and scholarships. Vibrant, robust rural communities and economies depend on their ability to attract and sustain working families. Likewise, outcomes in life often depend on community systems that support lifelong health, educational success, and wellbeing.

We know that rural is its own inequity and work to champion rural causes, people and places.

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 statewide policies and systems respond to the needs of rural, recognizing supported families and communities are key to children’s success. We proudly embrace our role as a rural advocate, encouraging statewide attention to rural people and places.

The Program Officer will bring K–12 experience and knowledge of statewide policies and systems to support both the Children, Youth, and Families (CYF) Department and a cross‑departmental team focused on pathways from K–12 into postsecondary education and career opportunities. Our K‑12 portfolio and strategies support innovation in the K‑12 educational system and aim to strengthen links between K‑12 and partners at both ends of the youth age spectrum: early childhood and postsecondary readiness and transition.

The portfolio includes both responsive and proactive grantmaking/field building approaches. The Program Officer reports directly to the Director of Children, Youth and Families.

This is an exempt position, and the annual wage is $98,000 – $109,000, depending on experience. Our excellent benefit package includes paid time off and holidays, health and dental insurance, health savings account, generous retirement plan, matching gifts program, access to an employee assistance program, professional development opportunities, rejuvenation leave and more. Performance and compensation are reviewed at least annually.

These options describe how the position may be structured. 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 Southwest Oregon)
  • In‑office requirements will be negotiated based on location
• Additional Details
  • This role requires regular travel within Oregon and Siskiyou County, CA. Occasional national travel for conferences and meetings is anticipated.

To apply , please email your letter of interest and resume to Michelle Allen, SR Human Resources Specialist at mallen
. The letter of interest must include:

1.) Location Preference
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