Program Associate (CWF)

The California Wellness Foundation

San Francisco office or Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) office

The Foundation

The California Wellness Foundation is a private, independent foundation created in 1992 with a mission to improve the health of the people of California by making grants for health promotion, wellness education and disease prevention. It’s the Foundation’s desire to promote equity and level the playing field so that everyone has access to good-paying jobs, healthy and safe neighborhoods, and quality health care services. Since its founding, Cal Wellness has awarded 8,160 grants totaling more than $940 million. It is one of the state’s largest private foundations. To learn more about the Foundation, explore our website at www.CalWellness.org.

Job Description

Cal Wellness is looking for an energetic, entrepreneurial professional with strong strategic and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. The ideal candidate will possess a desire to contribute toward programmatic efforts aligned with access and equity and the Foundation’s values-driven culture of learning and innovation. The successful candidate will also have an educational background and/or have demonstrated a professional interest in at least one or more of our Advancing Wellness program areas: Bridging the Gaps in Access and Quality Care; Promoting Healthy and Safe Neighborhoods; and Expanding Education and Employment Pathways. This position supports the Grants Program Department as a whole and reports to the director of evaluation and organizational learning.

Principal duties and responsibilities

Organizational Learning and Evaluation

Support tracking of program indicators and data sources to monitor progress toward the Advancing Wellness program’s grantmaking goals. Summarize reports for the Foundation’s Board and/or program directors, when required.
Assist with evaluation processes, including data entry and coding, cleaning and analyzing data, and producing reports.
Monitor, track, learn from and report on Foundation initiatives and program areas.
Produce literature reviews and data analyses to support data-driven decision-making, research and evaluation of field-building activities, and to support knowledge development and learning activities.

Partner with the organizational learning and development team to define questions and topics to explore via formal evaluations.

Work with leadership and staff to harvest “learnings” from previous and current partnerships and grantmaking. Support efforts to disseminate results and “learnings” to other staff and grantees.
Help organize internal trainings on organizational learning.

Grantmaking

Gather information from a wide variety of sources to create informed recommendations about emerging issues and opportunities to inform future work for the Foundation. Compile research that may help define programmatic goals, identify emerging issues and/or suggest new partners.
Gather, synthesize and analyze information relevant to grantmaking strategy and programs.
Maintain an in-depth knowledge of the priorities, strategies and selection criteria of the Foundation’s grantmaking to effectively support the Grants Program Department.

Research

Synthesize research and evaluation findings of work in the field(s) that informs Advancing Wellness’ priorities. Use intuition and experience to complement data.
Remain abreast of current research, activities and trends in the field(s) by reviewing professional publications, attending related conferences, meetings and other events, and sharing learnings with the Grants Program Department.
Gather information from a wide variety of sources to provide analysis and create informed recommendations to share with the Grants Program Department.

Project Management/Community Relations/Other

Conduct project tracking, including creating timelines and logging the specific status of projects, deliverables and next steps.
Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including representing the Foundation on site visits and at community meetings, convenings and professional conferences.
Independently draft and edit internal and external correspondence, meeting agendas, presentations and other materials needed for programmatic and evaluation work.
Work collaboratively and participate in cross-disciplinary teams with colleagues at the Foundation.
Provide meeting coordination and follow-up, including meeting preparation, notetaking at meetings, documenting next steps and tracking follow-up activities.
Attend outside meetings and conferences for the organization, at the discretion of the supervisor.
Possibly provide some administrative support, as needed.
Complete additional tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Experience and Skills Required

A bachelor's degree is required.
A minimum of three years of program experience with health or social justice organizations, community-based or philanthropic organizations, or public institutions.
Excellent written, analytical and oral communication skills, and the personal presence to represent the Foundation in diverse forums and organizational relationships.
Strong organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail, and experience balancing and adhering to deadlines.
Strong problem-solving skills with a demonstrated ability to meet challenges with resourcefulness and generate innovative approaches and ideas.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook). Experience with MicroEdge GIFTS or other grants-related database systems and software.
Interest and ability to work for an organization that is mission-driven and focused on health equity and addressing the social determinants of health.
An ability to promote and model the following foundation values: respect, integrity, accountability, equity, stewardship, excellence, learning and trust.
An ability to exhibit tact, diplomacy and professionalism in responding to requests from both internal staff and external organizations.
A high degree of initiative, creativity, enthusiasm and independence while being productive and results-oriented.
Proven ability to work collaboratively and in a team-oriented environment.
Experience in project management or grant monitoring a plus.

Compensation

Salary is competitive and commensurate with background and experience. The Foundation's benefit package is inclusive of medical, dental, vision and life insurance, and short- and long-term disability coverage, and offers flexible spending and 401(k) plans. A positive work environment that supports work-life balance is provided.

To Apply

Email resume with a cover letter and salary history to:

Human Resources Department
The California Wellness Foundation
6320 Canoga Avenue, Suite 1700
Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Fax: (818) 702-1999
Email: [email protected]