Environmental/Senior Program Officer – The Joyce Foundation

Based in Chicago with assets of over $900 million, The Joyce Foundation makes $50 million in grants each year to groups working on public polices to improve the quality of life in the Great Lakes region. It has built a reputation as a consistent source of smart, well-researched policy ideas in several areas, including: education, employment, environment, culture, public health approach to gun violence, and campaign finance and other reforms to break the nexus of money and politics. The Foundation was created in 1948 and is a private foundation, governed by a twelve-member board and led by President, Ellen Alberding.

With reference to the Environment Program, restoring and protecting the natural environment of the Great Lakes region has been a long-time commitment of the Joyce Foundation. The Foundation supports the development, testing, and implementation of policy-based, prevention-oriented, scientifically sound solutions to the environmental challenges facing the region. Program priorities include: energy from clean coal, Great Lakes restoration, and healthy rivers that feed into the Great Lakes. The Foundation was one of the first in the country to establish environmental protection as a priority area, and has been a leader in incubating policies and institutions that protect the Great Lakes. The right candidate will help the Foundation sustain and advance that leadership role.

Reporting Relationship:
The Program Officer or Senior Program Officer for the Environment reports directly to the Environment Program Manager, Stephen Brick.

Key Responsibilities:
Works cooperatively as a strong partner in the Environment Program team as it:
• Performs a critical analysis of the Environment program and develops the direction and priorities of the program going forward.
• Conducts needed background research on key environmental issues.
• Carefully considers environmental proposals against strategic guidelines.
• Identifies gaps in the field, develops strategies to fill those gaps, including identifying potential grantees and/or alliances of grantees, and soliciting applicants to address the gap.
• Prepares written materials for and makes oral presentations to the Foundation board.
• Works creatively and respectfully with grantees and applicants.
• Participates as an active and knowledgeable member of the environmental community at large, including other foundations, governmental agencies, policy makers and non-governmental organizations.

Desired Attributes/Requirements:
• Has the capacity to take leadership in key issue areas.
• Is a seasoned and strong team player who welcomes and appreciates debate.
• Is goal oriented and mission driven – can keep focus on end goal/desired impact.
• Experienced at structuring and advancing collaborative campaigns.
• Takes the ball and runs with it – with confidence.
• Has a personal and professional commitment to the environment, with particular program and policy experience concerning the preservation, protection and conservation of fresh water.
• Has highly developed skills and instincts concerning policy development and changes.
• An undergraduate degree is required. An advanced degree in a relevant field is preferred.

To apply: Interested candidates should preferably email a resume, writing sample and references to Sheila Leahy, SAL Consulting, Inc at salcon@concentric.net

or by mail:

508 Ravine Avenue
Lake Bluff IL 60044
(847) 735-01616