Program Support Associate, MS River Basin Initiative
Job Description
The Walton Family Foundation is seeking a skilled, highly motivated and entrepreneurial individual to join the foundation as the Program Support Associate (PSA) for the Mississippi River Basin Initiative within the Environment Program. Our Mississippi River Basin work is aimed at improving water quality and community outcomes across the watershed, largely through improved agricultural practices, the application of resilient natural infrastructure, and bringing diverse voices to the table in solving environmental concerns.
About the Position
The primary duty of the PSAs is to support smooth execution of the teams operations, budgeting, strategy, and grant making. In providing these core functions, the PSA applies their skills in project management to support the teams grantmaking. This role requires consistently adapting to team member needs, proactively identifying them, and providing timely follow up and solutions. PSAs should have a vision for how the teams inner workings contribute to succeeding in meeting our goals.
Specific duties include:
Grants Management Support (60% of time)
Assist Initiative Lead with logistical support for overall grant making process and budget management;
Assist program officers in the grant making process: editing and strengthening grant write-ups, tracking grant letters and payments, and coordinating with grantee reporting;
Collaborate with program coordinator and program staff to track grants that are in the pipeline, and follow up on payments and outstanding grantee reports;
Analyze information on WFF historical giving and grant making;
Act as liaison between Environment team and home office administration for information and updated processes;
Operations (20% of time)
Perform operational, technical, and analytical tasks to inform decisions of Initiative Lead and program officers as appropriate;
Prepare documents, take minutes, and compile follow-up notes for grant making strategy and internal team meetings;
Provide operational feedback for improved team and grant making efficiency;
Coordinate events/meetings and professional development opportunities for team members;
Additional Duties (20% of time)
Act as representative of the foundation to grantees and external partners;
Be an active member on an environment cross-cutting team;
Special projects, as assigned.
Who we are looking for
Qualifications required for your success
Strong technical skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and Zoom
Excellent written and oral communications skills
Desire to grow and learn, and adapt work in a rapidly moving environment
Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team, as well as independently
Additional helpful experience
Bachelors degree
Minimum 2 years administrative work experience, preferably in an office environment
Personal attributes that support your success
Service orientation and partnership: This is a role that provides critical support to program officers, grantees, and ultimately the entire team. As such, PSAs should operate with sensitivity to the needs of those they support, build strong relationships, and help make the work easier.
Attention to detail: There are many facets of this role that require ensuring that a document is accurate, a deadline is met, or a process is operating in service of team outcomes. PSAs must operate with a high degree of awareness of and appreciation for what might seem like small details.
Proactive problem solving: There are a lot of moving pieces in the PSA role, and sometimes only the PSA is aware of them all at a given time. This requires that a PSA anticipate and identify potential challenges and roadblocks and suggest solutions (to manager, program staff, others) in order to keep work on track.
About the Walton Family Foundation
The Walton Family Foundation is at its core, a family-led foundation. Three generations of the descendants of our founders, Sam and Helen Walton, and their spouses, work together to lead the foundation and create access to opportunity for people and communities. We work in three areas: improving K-12 education, protecting rivers and oceans and the communities they support, and investing in our home region of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas-Mississippi Delta. To learn more, visit Walton Family Foundation.
About the Environment Program
We must sustain the places that sustain us. Conservation solutions that make economic sense will stand the test of time, providing opportunity to future generations.
We:
Improve the quality and availability of water in our nations largest river basins;
Restore lost wetlands and the protection they provide to people and communities along the coastal Gulf of Mexico;
Protect oceans and rivers and the livelihoods they support;
Are open to ideas from farmers, fishermen, businesses and conservationists, ensuring them an active role in solutions that are good for the environment and the economy; and
Work to end overfishing and protect coastal jobs.
Benefits Information: We offer a comprehensive and generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401 (k) retirement plan and paid time off.
The Walton Family Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building and maintaining a culturally diverse workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.
Basic Qualifications
Strong technical skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint, and Zoom
Excellent written and oral communications skills
Desire to grow and learn, and adapt work in a rapidly moving environment
Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team, as well as independently
