Careers

Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence Program Specialist
(Full-Time, 40 Hours per Week) 

LOCATION: Oklahoma City or Tulsa

ABOUT US:

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, a state-wide education nonprofit, was formed 36 years ago, with the mission of recognizing and encouraging academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools. It is supported by private contributions and led by a 180-member board of trustees composed of leaders in business, education, and public service across Oklahoma.

To carry out our mission, the Foundation focuses on five key programs.  

• The Academic Awards Program, our cornerstone program, annually honors 100 outstanding graduating seniors and five exceptional educators.
• The Oklahoma School Foundations Network provides free training, resources and networking events for local school foundations who serve as a bridge between their community and school districts.
• Early American History Programs provide teachers with exceptional professional development opportunities, teaching resources, and engaging learning activities striving to deepen students’ knowledge of American history.
• Teacher Professional Development programs encourage and reward innovation among Oklahoma teachers by supporting quality professional development opportunities.
• The Boren Mentoring Initiative awards start-up grants for new and developing mentoring programs and opportunity grants to support strategic needs of K-12 mentoring organizations in Oklahoma.

Through our five program areas and partnerships, the Foundation has awarded more than $12.6 million in awards, grants and scholarships benefiting Oklahoma teachers and students.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Program Specialist position is a new position at the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence (OFE). The individual in this position will spend 50% of their time in the role of Director of the Oklahoma School Foundations Network. The remaining 50% will be spent as the program specialist for other OFE programs.

The Oklahoma School Foundation Network Director works to provide training, support, and networking opportunities for Oklahoma school foundations.  The Director is responsible for building relationships, encouraging participation in training and networking activities, and providing ongoing resources on nonprofit best practice and school foundation related issues. Maintaining the school foundation contact database and regular communication are important in ensuring continued communication as foundation leaders change. 

The OFE Program Specialist will serve as the project manager for OFE programs with specific program responsibilities as well as supportive program responsibilities.  This is a new position and will evolve as new tasks and program enhancements are identified.  Success in this role will require a professional who easily adapts to change and enjoys initiating new ideas.

The Program Specialist is a fulltime position reporting to the Executive Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As Oklahoma School Foundations Network Director:

• Communication
• Communicate with current OSFN and other school foundation leaders including the OSFN website, social media, and monthly newsletters
• Training and networking opportunities
  • Provide training and networking opportunities for school foundation leaders and volunteers. Specifically, Fall Forum Webinar Wednesdays, Education Leadership Conference, Executive Director Monthly Zoom Meetings, and In-person Training/Board Training. In addition to an up-to-date resource library with information on topics of interest and importance to local school foundations.
• Database
  • Develop and maintain records for Oklahoma school foundation leaders. Work with communities interested in starting local education foundations
• Recognition
  • Coordinate the promotion and selection of annual Outstanding Program Awards, which recognize innovative programs sponsored by Oklahoma school foundations

 As OFE Program Specialist:

• Program Coordination
• Maintain accurate, up to date OFE program descriptions, timelines, and outcomes
• Responsible for managing the Boren Mentoring Initiative & Teacher Professional Development Program
• Support and assist in new programmatic strategies and initiatives
• Reporting
• Create and maintain annual SMART goals for OFE programming and communicate outcomes to relevant stakeholders

QUALIFICATIONS & JOB SKILLS: 

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Experience with school foundations, public schools, nonprofit administration, board development and fundraising are a plus
• Excellent communication, leadership, and organizational skills
• Ability to clearly and professionally communicate verbally and in writing and has strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to make independent administrative/procedural decisions and judgments appropriate for the position and have accountability for job responsibilities
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment, develop and share new strategies to accomplish objectives
• Ability to work in collaboration with partners, staff and volunteers and encourage a collaborative environment
• Maintain accurate and organized records relating to job functions
• Skilled using personal computers and software applications, including Excel, Word, and Google documents

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Full-time salary commensurate with experience. Health, dental and retirement benefits. Paid holidays and vacation.

Please email resume and cover letter by December 31, to Elizabeth Inbody, executive director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, einbody@ofe.org.