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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 Initiative within the Environment Program. The foundation’s environment program aims to protect water resources in the face of climate change.

 

The foundation seeks to recruit individuals with a demonstrated commitment to support healthier ecosystems and more vibrant communities, superior interpersonal and communication skills, a respectful and analytical approach to the work, and a proven ability to work effectively as part of a team. The Program Support Associate will work both on the small team focused on improving the health of the Mississippi river and its water, as well as be part of the overall Environment Program team.

 

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging  

We believe every associate should have access to success. Creating an environment centered on trust, respect, and bringing people together is critical to this belief. 

 

• • Our aspirations are as follows: Create an environment where we hire, retain and bring to the table people with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints and lived experiences to create a more successful organization.  
  • Ensure fairness, equity and access to success for all of our associates. 
  • Create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, safe, able to engage honestly. 

Benefits Information
 
Compensation Range: $29.32 – $39.66 (per hour) 
 
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. 
 
 
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.
 
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.

 

About the Position

The primary duty of the PSAs is to support smooth execution of the team’s operations, budgeting, strategy, and grant making. In providing these core functions, the PSA applies their skills in project management to support the team’s 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 team’s 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 upcoming, 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 work in a rapidly changing environment
• Demonstrated capacity to work as part of a team, as well as independently

 

Additional preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s 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.