Program Officer

Description

The Program Officer’s primary objectives are strategic program development, management, and implementation, ensuring operational excellence, stakeholder communication, collaboration and team leadership development. Working closely with program leadership including the Chief of Programs, this position demands expertise in program management and implementation, with a focus on translating programmatic vision into actionable plans and using data-driven methods to enhance program delivery. The Program Officer will actively contribute to fostering equity, scalability, sustainability, and continuous improvement across all initiatives.

Strategic program development, management, and implementation: 

• Collaborate with program leadership in setting strategic goals and developing plans for program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Assist in developing and monitoring program plans with trackable outcome measures and recommend adjustments as needed.
• Use data, research, and evaluation to improve program design and implementation.
• Support the program leadership in operationalizing agency’s equity commitment throughout all programs.
• Assist in change management and the implementation of effective agency structures, communication, and culture.

Operational excellence:  

• Work closely with program leaders, and other staff to ensure day-to-day program management aligns with strategic objectives.
• Identify challenges and risks associated with program delivery and actively identify and implement strategies and solutions in partnership with program Leadership.

Stakeholder communication and collaboration: 

• Promote positive collaboration among program staff, ensuring effective communication internally and externally.
• Review and craft written materials, including briefs and reports, with a keen eye for detail, maintaining high quality standards.
• Represent Program Leadership in meetings and collaborations as needed.

Team leadership development: 

• Provide leadership and capacity-building support to program staff, fostering a culture of accountability and high-quality work.
• Work with program leadership to evolve and implement practices for continuous learning and improvement.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: 

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be: 

• Minimum of ten years of full-time, progressively responsible experience in program management and implementation, including at least three years of supervision experience. Management consulting experience a plus.  
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public policy, public health, business administration or related field may be substituted for 4 years of experience. Master’s Degree may be substituted for an additional year of experience or a Ph.D. may be substituted for an additional 2 years of experience. 

Additional Requirements  

Travel within Alameda County as necessary to carry out job duties. Some travel outside Alameda County occasionally required. 

Knowledge of: 

• Principles and practices of program and project management and implementation 
• Principles and practices of leadership, management, and training 
• Principles and practices of systems thinking and/or systems change 
• Principles and practices in the field of early childhood and systems of care 
• Principles and practices of the use of data for continuous improvement and decision-making 
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary stakeholders 
• Principles of equity, social, racial, and economic justice 
• Cross-cultural sensitivity 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Office 365 preferred) and familiarity with Smartsheet  

Ability to: 

• Translate vision into a wide variety of short- medium- and long-range plans 
• Effectively project manage complex projects and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, deliverables, and deadlines. Plan and organize work to ensure organizational and project goals are achieved. 
• Write persuasively and distill complex technical information into concise and compelling content  
• Provide leadership, analytically problem solve, and effectively organize, coordinate, and supervise professional and administrative staff in a collaborative, team-oriented environment  
• Define and address complex problems requiring the analysis of multiple variables or situations; collect, synthesize, and analyze information; consider alternatives; and draw valid conclusions 
• Build capacity of staff through a range of learning approaches and modalities to improve programmatic processes and outcomes  
• Demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in a variety of contexts 
• Work in a multidisciplinary team setting 
• Exercise sound judgment within broadly defined practices and procedures to create and select appropriate strategies and make and carry out effective decisions 
• Read, analyze and interpret common professional publications, policy documents, financial reports and related business documents and information 
• Promote teamwork and integration within and across the agency  
• Thrive in fast-paced environment and adapt quickly to changes in agency operations and work assignments  

Please note:

• We are working a hybrid in-office schedule and may return full-time at an undetermined date.
• All First 5 employees must live and work in California.
• The salary range for this position is $123,000 to $170,000 and as an independent government agency, the posted salary is the set salary range for this position. We cannot offer salaries above this posted range.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County believes every child in Alameda County should have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential. Through innovative programs and policy advocacy, we help provide children and their families access to resources that support their first five years of development.

Join our mission-driven team that in partnership with the community, supports a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves peak years of child development.

First 5 Alameda County Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package with health care options to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. These benefits include but are not limited to Medical, Dental, & Vision Coverage, $1,500 credit per year to spend on benefits, Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), Employer Paid & Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Retirement Plans including the ACERA Pension Plan, Commuter Benefits, Employee Assistance Plan and more.

We also offer paid vacation, paid time off and sick time. We have 17 paid holidays including the week between Christmas Day and New Year's Day as paid time off.

Salary : $123,000 - $170,000