Program Officer, Childcare & Early Learning

Background

What We Do

With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families.

Strategies We Pursue

• Equip talent in underinvested communities with the skills and credentials to compete successfully for quality income and wealth opportunities.
• Invest in businesses, housing and other community infrastructure to catalyze economic, health, safety and educational mobility for individuals and communities.
• Strengthen existing alliances while building new collaborations to increase our impact on the progress of people and places.
• Develop leadership and the capacity of partners to advance our work together
• Drive local, regional, and national policy and system changes that foster broadly shared prosperity and well-being.

Over the last 40 years, LISC and its affiliates have invested approximately $24 billion in businesses, affordable housing, health, educational mobility, community and recreational facilities, public safety, employment and other projects that help to revitalize and stabilize underinvested communities. Headquartered in New York City, LISC’s reach spans the country from East coast to West coast in 38 markets with offices extending from Buffalo to San Francisco and in 2,400 rural counties across 49 states and Puerto Rico. Visit us at www.lisc.org

Summary

About The Position

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work with LISC Connecticut to expand equitable access to childcare and early learning opportunities through facilities construction and renovation in areas of high need across the state. This position will support the development and implementation of an Early Learning Facilities Fund that LISC Connecticut will administer on behalf of the State of Connecticut. The ideal candidate will have strong administrative and project management skills, and a sound understanding of real estate transactions, construction, and renovation projects. They will also have experience working with diverse populations and possess general expertise in community development, and/or specific expertise in the childcare and early learning sector. Position is grant funded for two years and continuation of employment is dependent upon grant funding.

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

• Strengthen community-based organizations’ resource, organizational, programmatic, networking, and political capacities by providing funding, strategic guidance, planning and project management, technical assistance, and training.
• Develop solid and respectful working relationships with community-based partner organizations, consultants, and grantees. Maintain an in-depth knowledge of their organizational conditions, programs, and projects.
• Assist in the development, marketing, and dissemination of educational resources in collaboration with LISC National Child Care and Early Learning team.
• Provide technical assistance to childcare providers, community development corporations, and other nonprofit organizations seeking to make facility improvements; this can include providing referrals, conducting site visits, application assistance, etc.
• Work with Director(s) and program staff in developing strategic collaborations with and among community-based organizations, anchor institutions, and other corporate, civic and public sector organizations to leverage LISC’s capabilities.
• Administer grants/contracts between LISC and community-based organizations and consultants through the lifecycle of the contract, including drafting, monitoring compliance, evaluating performance, processing payment requests, and maintaining contractual records.
• Assist in seeking out and vetting potential program consultants and professionals to work with community agencies tackling facility development and renovation projects.
• Provide targeted technical assistance to childcare and early learning centers, CDCs and non-profit organizations seeking to make facility improvements including fielding inquiries, making referrals, conducting site visits and tracking follow-up.
• Provide writing, editing, and formatting support for presentations, proposals and reports.
• Assist in the development and implementation of training workshops, seminars, meetings, tours, and special events (both virtual and in-person).
• Represent LISC on coalitions and workgroups and at community meetings, as needed.
• Monitor and update internal reports and data lists across programs.
• Contribute to office-wide fundraising, policy research, and community engagement activities.
• Assist with program communications, including collaborating with other LISC staff to develop and coordinate external messaging.
• Supervise Assistant Program Officer for Child Care and Early Learning
• Assist with other special projects and other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Skills and Qualifications Desired

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field, which may include education, architecture, construction management, community planning/development, etc. Master’s degree preferred. Relevant work experience may be considered as a proxy.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in community development, childcare and early learning programs or a related field. Program or project management experience in or with community-based organizations is strongly preferred.
• Experience in early learning sector and state policies and possesses a comprehensive understanding of the funding streams that support the early learning sector.
• Skilled professional who ideally has a working knowledge of quality components of childcare facilities and environments; childcare funding and financial practices; Connecticut child care licensing regulations; guidelines and program evaluation tools – as well as an understanding of the complexities of the Connecticut childcare system (or a demonstrated ability to rapidly learn these types of systems).
• Ability to think both critically and creatively in designing new and innovative investment vehicles and partnerships.
• Ability to read, interpret and understand codes including; building code, ADA, licensing code, fire safety code, etc.
• Good understanding of building systems, ability to read blueprints.
• Keen interest in and commitment to the community development mission of LISC.
• Working knowledge of the economic, political, and social environments of Connecticut, especially lower-income communities, organizations, and community development efforts.
• Ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively with co-workers and a diverse range of individuals and organizations, including but not limited to, residents, community development organizations, public agencies, private developers, funders and lenders.
• Ability to embrace and promote a culture of individual and shared trust and accountability – internally and externally.
• Experience and knowledge in government contracts management and compliance is preferred.
• Strong project management skills.
• Attention to detail and deadlines, especially in the areas of contracts management and reporting.
• Ability to work simultaneously on multiple tasks and projects, set priorities for a time-sensitive workload, and be solution-oriented professional.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite of programs, especially Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Candidate must also have the capacity to learn and navigate new software required for all LISC employees and for specific program initiatives.

This is a hybrid position. Candidate must reside within commuting distance of Hartford.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation:

LISC offers a great working environment and opportunities for learning and growth. Excellent benefits package and competitive compensation. Position is grant funded for two years and continuation of employment is dependent upon grant funding.

LISC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION-EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND JUSTICE

LISC is an equal opportunity employer. LISC does not discriminate in employment on account of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military status or veteran status, unfavorable discharge from military service, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances.

How to Apply

To apply please follow this LINK