[ES_JOBS_NET] Program Officer for Science, Heising-Simons Foundation, CA

[Christine Wiedinmyer]

https://www.hsfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Program-Officer-HSF-Feb-2420202.pdf
HEISING-SIMONS FOUNDATION
Los Altos, CA - February

About the Foundation
The Heising-Simons Foundation is a family foundation based in Los Altos and San Francisco,
California. The Foundation works with its many partners to advance sustainable solutions in
climate and clean energy, enable groundbreaking research in science, enhance the education of
our youngest learners, and support human rights for all people. In 2019, the Foundation
awarded more than $113 million in grants, including over $25 million in science. Since its first
grant in 2007, the Foundation has awarded more than $522 million.

The Foundation’s grantmaking is guided by the values of humility, courage, justice, opportunity,
sustainability, innovation, relationships, and integrity.

The Opportunity

The Foundation is seeking a Science Program Officer who will help manage the Foundation’s
science grantmaking. This is an opportunity to learn about many fields and sub-fields within the
sciences. Candidates are not expected to have experience in all areas listed in the job posting.
The Program Officer will identify and work with prospective and existing grantees, monitor
grantee progress, and explore new grantmaking areas. This full-time (37.5 hours per week),
exempt position reports to the program director of the Science team.

The primary areas of support with the Science program are astronomy and cosmology, climate
change science, fundamental physics, and women in physics and astronomy. While the
successful program officer candidate might work on grants in any of these areas, the emphasis
in the near term is expected to be in climate change science (both present day climate change
and paleoclimatology) and women in physics and astronomy. This position will be based in the
Los Altos office. The Science team is currently staffed by one program associate, two program
officers, and the program director. In 2019 the Science team made a total of 85 grants totaling
$25.3M in funding.

The ideal candidate will have: 1) a PhD in the physical or life sciences (physical sciences
preferred; see qualifications below for more details); 2) a minimum of one-three years relevant
post‐PhD work; 3) experience with a research group or scientific research initiative in an
academic, business, non‐profit or government setting; 4) a strong interest in a breadth of
scientific disciplines across the physical sciences domain and the ability to synthesize
information and ideas across a diverse landscape of scientific areas; and 5) excellent research,
project management, communications, and interpersonal skills. The candidate will possess the
ability to work both independently and as part of a small (five-person) team.

Key Responsibilities

Knowledge

  *   Understands the Foundation’s history, values, and current funding initiatives.

  *   Possesses or develops in-depth knowledge of physical sciences, including current research,
policy, and practice issues, and key resource people and organizations.

  *   Develops a clear understanding of how research, policy, practice, resource people and
organizations fit into the Foundation’s interests in physical sciences.

  *   Has or develops expertise to review research proposals and projects.
Program Management

  *   Takes the initiative (via email, phone, and in-person meetings) to contact appropriate
organizations to encourage them to submit proposals for possible funding.

  *   Develops coherent, accurate, and complete summaries of funding and prepares to answer
substantive questions about the proposals. If necessary, develops a complete and coherent
rejection rationale for proposals that will not be funded.

  *   Screens proposals, applying breadth of expertise and a clear understanding of the
Foundation’s interests.

  *   Conducts site visits to current and potential grantees, and undertakes the consequent travel
as an integral part of the position.

  *   Monitors progress on approved grants, including scheduling and setting standards for
interim and final reports. Reviews interim and final progress reports.

  *   Periodically reviews and reports to executive management and the Board regarding the
overall effectiveness of funding in the physical sciences program area.

  *   Stays informed about, and follows up as necessary on, grant-related issues throughout the
duration of a grant.

  *   Provides non-financial support to grantees, including advice concerning capacity building,
fund development, project activities, and evaluation.
Reporting

  *   Attends Board Meetings to discuss and support grant recommendations.

  *   Provides program information to, and interacts with, the Board throughout the year.

  *   Keeps the Director of Science and Foundation management informed on developments
within the science program area.

Professional Development
The Foundation encourages professional development and provides resources for activities
such as (but not limited to) those below.

  *   Attends workshops and conferences to learn more about relevant science topics and/or
program strategies.

  *   Takes online or in-person courses in relevant job-related activities (subjects such as software
tools, fundamentals of grantmaking, etc.).

  *   Informally reads and synthesizes published literature and web-based resources to increase
knowledge of scientific areas and/or grantmaking techniques.

  *   Joins and/or networks with relevant affinity groups or individuals to increase skill set.
Qualifications

  *   Have a PhD in physical or life sciences (physical sciences preferred). Possible fields of
expertise might include a number of paleo-science related fields (such as paleoclimatology,
geophysics, geochemistry, oceanography, climate change science, environmental science,
oceanography, geochemistry), as well as physics, astronomy, and other fields.

  *   A minimum of one to three years post‐PhD work in at least one scientific area.

  *   Experience with a research group or scientific research initiative in an academic, business,
non‐profit or government setting.

  *   A strong interest in a breadth of scientific disciplines and the ability to synthesize
information and ideas across a diverse landscape of scientific issues.

  *   An understanding of the research enterprise in major research universities and institutions
in the U.S.

  *   Demonstrated initiative and the ability to plan and think strategically about program design
and implementation, manage large projects and budgets, set realistic goals and objectives,
and effectively balance multiple priorities.

  *   Excellent project management, time management, research, writing and communication
skills, including an ability to synthesize material and to identify major opportunities in a
specific area.

  *   Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills, with an ability to develop productive relationships
with colleagues, grantees, stakeholders and others in an ongoing and multifaceted
partnership.

  *   Ability to work independently and to be self-motivated.

  *   An understanding of (or willingness to learn) how foundations function and of the
grantmaking process.

  *   The personal presence to represent the Foundation in diverse forums and establish and
maintain organizational relationships.

  *   The personal motivation to embody the Foundation’s values and support the Foundation’s
mission, vision, and goals.

  *   Ability and willingness to quickly learn and use new systems of technology, such as
Microsoft Office applications, Salesforce, Zoom, and Box.

  *   Ability to travel locally and nationally (up to 15 - 20%) to achieve the goals of the Science
Program and the Foundation.

  *   A sense of humor and a commitment to teamwork.
Physical Demands

  *   Generates written communications using a computer.

  *   Works at a desk for 2-3 hours at a time.

  *   Lifts and moves documents and supplies (not to exceed 25 lbs.)

  *   Bends to file or retrieve documents.

  *   Travels in private vehicles and public transport.

Compensation and Benefits

The target starting salary for this position is $130,000 - $150,000.

We offer a comprehensive employee benefits package that includes employer-paid medical,
dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents, short and long term disability,
business travel and life insurance, flexible spending accounts for medical and child care
expenses, a 401(k) plan (with a matching contribution of up to 16%), commuting assistance, an
employee assistance program (EAP), tuition reimbursement and a generous professional
development budget, matching gifts, fitness reimbursements, fertility assistance, and identity
theft protection. In addition, we allow some schedule flexibility and occasional telecommuting
with manager’s approval.
Paid time off includes:

  *   Vacation Time - starting at 3 weeks per year

  *   Sick Time - 12 days per year

  *   Personal Time - 2 days per year

  *   Family Medical Leave

  *   Parental Leave

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes a diverse pool of applicants.
Foundation policy prohibits unlawful discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender,
sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical
disability, mental disability, military service, legally protected medical condition, or any other
consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. Reasonable accommodation will
be made so that qualified applicants with disabilities may participate in the application process.
Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Application Process



Our success is dependent on our ability to build teams that include people with different
experiences and expertise who can challenge each other's assumptions with new viewpoints
and bring different perspectives on scientific excellence to the team. We encourage people of
color, immigrants, LGBTQ+, people from under-resourced communities, people with disabilities,
and others with diverse perspectives and experiences to apply.

Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter and salary information by email to:
Martha Montag Brown & Associates, LLC
www.marthamontagbrown.com
Email: Martha at marthamontagbrown.com; Phone: 818.790.

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