Program Officer

~ The Surdna Foundation, a New York City-based family foundation, seeks to foster sustainable communities in the United States -- communities guided by principles of social justice and distinguished by healthy environments, strong local economies, and thriving cultures. ~

For over five generations, the Foundation has been governed largely by descendants of John Andrus and has developed a tradition of innovative service for those in need of help or opportunity. 

Position Overview 

The Surdna Foundation seeks a Program Officer for its Sustainable Environments Program. The Program Officer will report directly to the Program Director for Sustainable Environments.

The Program Officer is part of a four-person team led by a Program Director and staffed by two Program Officers and a Program Associate. 

Responsibilities  

• The Program Officer works closely with the team on all aspects of the program, including day-to-day operations, broader program strategy development, and the implementation of a learning agenda.
• Program Officers contribute to programmatic ideas and participate actively in grantmaking by developing and recommending grants and administering projects in the program area.
• In addition, Surdna expects Program Officers to have expertise and knowledge in one or more of the substantive elements of the grantmaking program and to help build networks among funders, as well as grantees, around issues that need attention.
• Program Officers are also expected to communicate and advocate for social change and to develop partnerships to multiply the impact of the Foundation's grantmaking investments.
• A successful candidate will demonstrate an eagerness to engage in ongoing assessment of the Sustainable Environments Program's priorities under the leadership of the Program Director, and to work with the Strong Local Economies and Thriving Cultures programs to develop cross-programmatic opportunities that ultimately help advance the goal of creating just and sustainable communities. 

The Sustainable Environments Program

The Sustainable Environments program work is grounded in an understanding of the interplay between the environment, the economy, and social equity, and it is dedicated to shifting to a just and less consumption intense society.

To this end, the program team has recently refined its grant making strategy to focus on overhauling the country's under-performing and obsolete infrastructure. It is dedicated to addressing the urgent need for innovation around the renewal and development of what will be "next generation" infrastructure and to delivering basic services that tie together metropolitan areas, communities, and neighborhoods.

More specifically, the program is now focusing its expertise and investments around four interconnected infrastructure elements: 

• Transportation Networks and Equitable Development Patterns
• Urban Water Management
• Energy Efficiency in the Built Environment
• Regional Food Supply
• The program operationalizes these lines of work through a social justice lens; viewing infrastructure planning and build out in low-income communities and communities of color as a driver for investment that generate multiple benefits including wealth creation, environmental quality and democratized decision-making. 

Qualifications 

The experience and ideal qualities of an ideal candidate include: 

Professional Experience 

• Strong record of achievement and relevant experience in the nonprofit, public, or private sector.
• With a substantive knowledge of the fields and issues related to at least one of the Sustainable Environments Program's lines of work, as well as experience in economic and community development, finance and banking, and/or public policy and planning is desired.
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in one of these fields or interdisciplinary experience is preferred.
• Advanced degree in a related field is preferred.
• A demonstrated grasp of core principles of social justice, sustainability and equity with experience working with diverse communities across race, class, ethnic, political and geographic boundaries.
• An understanding of public policy and political processes, and the role of the not-for-profit community in driving change. Experience strategizing and working with the public sector, and exposure to economic development, and arts, culture, and design and planning issues is highly valuable.
• Outstanding written and oral communication skills and highly developed listening skills, and an appetite for writing and public speaking. 

Qualities 

• Demonstrated commitment to Surdna's mission and to the values of the Andrus family, including practicality, modesty, excellence, and an appreciation for serving those in need.
• Willingness to work across programs to develop complementary strategies, grant making priorities and learning opportunities.
• A track record as a strategic, systems-oriented thinker. Excellent intellectual abilities and analytic skills coupled with pragmatism and a willingness to share in both "big picture" thinking and administrative tasks.
• The highest level of personal and professional integrity and a reputation for a balanced, non-ideological approach. A willingness to challenge conventional thinking coupled with the ability to collaborate effectively, listen well, and encourage dialogue.
• Strengths in relationship building, teamwork, and collaboration. Outstanding relationship builder with interpersonal skills necessary to gain the trust and confidence of Surdna's staff, grantees, trustees, and professional colleagues in the field.
• Ability to thrive when working under deadlines; strong project, time, and budget management skills; and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously without sacrificing attention to detail.
• A willingness to travel up to 30-40% of the time. 

To Apply 

• Inquiries, nominations, and applications (a resume and cover letter) may be directed in confidence to Amy Solomon by clicking below: "Apply Now Online!"
• Please apply no later than Monday, March 2, 2015. 
• Please no phone calls.