Program Officer job description

Overview of ACLS


Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) takes its name from its work supporting 79 scholarly organizations. As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences, ACLS upholds the core principle that knowledge is a public good. In supporting its member organizations, ACLS utilizes its endowment and $34 million annual operating budget to expand the forms, content, and flow of scholarly knowledge because we value diversity of identity and experience. We collaborate with institutions, associations, and individuals to strengthen the evolving infrastructure for scholarship. In all aspects of our work, ACLS is committed to principles and practices in support of racial and social justice.
ACLS’s strategic plan outlines four strategic priorities: encouraging scholars and scholarship responsive to diverse audiences; strengthening relationships among our core constituencies within the academy and our partners beyond the academy; lifting the public profile of humanistic knowledge; and empowering staff and partners to work responsibly and inclusively.


Overview of Department


The US Programs team administers an evolving set of programs that respond to issues in scholarship and higher education by supporting humanities scholars at different career stages and at a variety of higher education institutions. In the most recent competition year, ACLS drew on the expertise of more than 600 peer reviewers to make awards totaling $25 million to nearly 400 scholars. The team prizes collaboration, flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving, and we seek colleagues who will join us in our efforts to improve our programs and processes so that they are more accessible, equitable, inclusive, responsive, and effective.


Job Summary


ACLS invites applications for a for a 12-month leave replacement position at the rank of Program Officer. The Program Officer will join the US Programs team in its efforts to maintain and enhance the Council's rigorous peer-review processes and contribute to the direction of ACLS’s evolving portfolio of fellowship and grant programs. The Program Officer also will work closely with the US Programs team and other senior staff to develop and implement programming that supports humanities scholars at different career stages and at a variety of higher education institutions. ACLS will provide the incoming Program Officer with opportunities for professional development (training, conference attendance, etc.).


Responsibilities include but are not limited to:


Program management :
help operate and improve all aspects of the annual application and selection process recruit peer reviewers and program advisors update ACLS’s web-based portals for applicants, fellows, and reviewers support selection committees in their deliberations coordinate activities with other ACLS departments as necessary, including international programs, communications, and finance


Convening and support for scholars :
convene scholars, learned society, and higher education leaders around issues of shared interest in the humanities develop programming for scholars to support professional development and collaborative projects partner with learned societies, humanities organizations, and other funders on joint programming
Program evaluation and research :
compile reports to funders and the board gather and present information on program outcomes and developments in humanities scholarship to audiences within and beyond the academy conduct research (using both internal data on ACLS programs as well as external sources) to assist in the analysis of existing programs and the development of new initiatives maintain a consistent system to organize and access data and research


Required qualifications:
PhD in humanities or social science discipline Strong written and oral communication skills, with a keen ability to adapt communication style to different audiences Diplomacy and discretion with confidential information Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Ability to multi-task and prioritize long-term projects and short-term assignments in a deadline-driven environment Facility both for working collaboratively with a team and for working independently Analytical and creative problem-solving capacity Excellent interpersonal skills with a track record of working effectively on a team Ability to take initiative and respond flexibly to evolving circumstances Proficiency in MS Office, particularly Word and Excel Must be willing and able to travel to multi-day events in New York or elsewhere in the United States approximately six times per year, in particular in the first half of 2023.


Office policy and salary:
Candidates will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated (including booster) against COVID-19 upon commencing employment. Reasonable accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis for exemptions to this requirement in accordance with applicable law.
Salary range: $75,000 - $85,000 per year

+ Department: Environment, Health & Safety Office

+ School Area: EHS Headquarters

+ Employment Type: Full-Time

+ Employment Category: Exempt

+ Visa Sponsorship Available: No

+ Schedule:

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Information on MIT's COVID-19 vaccination requirement can be found at the bottom of this posting.

ASSISTANT OFFICER, INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE (IH) PROGRAM, Environment, Health and Safety Office (EHS), to support Institute academic and business objectives with due consideration of occupational health and safety laws, federal and state regulations, and good practices as part of a multidisciplinary EHS office serving the MIT community. Responsibilities include providing EHS support to departments, labs, and centers (DLCs); providing IH support and serving as primary contact for assigned DLCs on experimental design and development; conducting area and/or personal noise surveys and indoor air quality investigations; developing new and revising existing trainings; performing ergonomic assessments and group trainings; serving as a member of the chemical shipping team; and assisting with the beryllium and formaldehyde compliance programs and campus drinking water sampling program. As skills develop, may work in EHS program areas other than main area of expertise.

Job Requirements

REQUIRED: bachelor's degree in an EHS or related discipline (e.g., engineering, physical or biological sciences, chemistry); three years' relevant experience; specific knowledge of IH and general familiarity with overall EHS practices (e.g., biosafety, environmental management, safety, and radiation protection); effective written and oral communication skills; basic computer and database skills; strong IH technical skills; and evidence of leadership skills. Must be able to perform hazard assessments and make recommendations regarding appropriate engineering controls (such as exhaust ventilation) and personal protective equipment; develop and implement well-integrated EHS programs within the workplace; combine active listening, effective communication, and mediation to forward the EHS and overall Institute mission; manage multiple projects and prioritize heavy workload and client needs; and collaborate with and influence staff, colleagues, and managers. PREFERRED: master's degree and certification. Job #21589-7 Will be required to participate in an off-hours on-call rotation to respond to campus emergencies. 7/20/22

Primary Functions

1. Responsible for carrying an assigned portfolio of priority grants, including responding to inquiries from nonprofit organizations regarding the Foundation's grant-making guidelines, opens applications and requests for proposals; consults with non-profit organizations regarding grant proposals; ensures Foundation guidelines and or initiative requirements are met; and provides assistance to grant seeker and grant recipient organizations, as necessary, to direct them to other resources for organizational development, funding program ideas, etc. including making general presentations to groups of nonprofit organizations.
2. Reviews all assigned letters of inquiry and full proposals for all required information; conducts additional research into the relevant client population, substantive legal area and/or nonprofit organization as needed; conducts site visits and participates in interviews for assigned proposals; prepares proposal analysis including written summaries and recommendations for review and action by the Foundation Board.
3. Develops reports of aggregate evaluation results to communicate the Foundation's impact on low income Texans; monitors paper and computer grant files for completeness, accuracy, and current information; maintains statistical information regarding grant-making activity; monitors implementation of each grant by requesting and reviewing all evaluative information obtained; conducts site visits to a representative number of grant recipients each year.
4. Develops and maintains contact with organizations; supports leadership initiatives developed and coordinated by the Grants Team; keeps abreast of emerging issues both locally and nationally; works with external groups as necessary to round out knowledge and nurture key relationships throughout the legal aid community.
5. Perform other responsibilities as required.

Position Requirements

• JD, licensed in Texas and a minimum of 3 years' experience in the legal aid community required; immigration and or family law experience preferred. Grant making and or nonprofit management experience preferred;
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills; proven ability to be flexible in a team-oriented approach with diverse groups of people.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong analytic and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of program evaluation and communicating impact.
• Excellent planning, organizational, multi-task and time management skills.
• Proven ability to efficiently and effectively handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Must be able to travel extensively throughout the state.