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Program Specialist


The Foundation


The DC Bar Foundation is the leading funder of civil legal aid in the District of Columbia. We are committed to the vision that residents of the District have equal access to justice, regardless of income. Our mission is to fund, support, and improve legal representation of people who are financially disenfranchised or who are otherwise underserved in the District of Columbia.


Our Beliefs


We believe that everyone should have access to justice regardless of wealth, knowledge, or power. We seek to be community-rooted, led by the voices of those most impacted by our decisions. We believe in working collaboratively, demonstrating mutual respect for each other’s capacities, contributions, and ideas. We believe that we must work within ourselves, our networks, and our institutions to challenge racism with each decision we make. Finally, we believe in Team. It’s not just about getting the work done; it’s about HOW you get it done.


Position Summary


The Program Specialist will support the Programs team at the DC Bar Foundation (“DCBF”). This position will collaborate with Program staff, grantees, and consultants to coordinate activities in programs and grants management in an effort to meet objectives and attain organizational goals. The incumbent will report to the Director of Programs.


The Ideal Candidate


The ideal candidate for this position is committed to racial equity and racial justice, with a keen interest in the DC civil legal services sector and grantmaking. You have a flexible workstyle, love to learn, and are willing to jump into the deep end to achieve common goals. You are known for being incredibly organized and attentive to detail. You understand how to leverage technology to get the job done in the most efficient way possible. We’re looking for a service-oriented team player, eager to support the Foundation’s mission.


Primary Job Duties

  • Assist the Director of Programs with administrative tasks and clerical functions

  • Ensure grant documentation is saved in database(s) in a compliant manner

  • Manage incoming correspondence including review, transmission, and follow-up action

  • Coordinate and participate in meetings, presentations, training sessions, and conferences

  • Accurately record and produce clear, concise minutes from discussions

  • Provide quality control through drafting, proofreading, and finalizing various deliverables

  • Provide technical and systems support to grantees and programs staff for all program functions

  • Monitor grant proposal status and follow up as needed to ensure efficient, accurate, and compliant processing

  • Assist in the review of grant reports to verify fulfillment of grant agreement terms

  • Serve as a resource and liaison through interactions with grantees, vendors, and staff

  • Collaborate with Programs staff to perform and share research for program planning

  • Assist with the preparation and management of program and budget reports


Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience (or equivalent combination)

  • Strong administrative skills

  • Sound judgment and professional maturity

  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, fluid environment

  • Willingness to contribute to a positive workplace

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to convey information accurately

  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

  • Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and accuracy

  • Ability to work efficiently independently and with a team while producing high-quality deliverables


Compensation and Benefits


We believe in paying fairly and competitively. To execute this, we utilize a strategic compensation review process to determine starting pay rates as well as annual adjustments. The hiring range for this position is $48,000 to $55,000, with some flexibility to move above the hiring range based on experience and qualifications. Decisions regarding each individual’s compensation are made using a holistic analysis of market rates, experience, competencies, education, performance, internal equity, annual budget, and economic state.


We also believe in supporting employees’ professional development, health and wellness, and work/life balance. Our benefits include health insurance, medical and dependent care FSAs, 401(k) retirement plan, commuter assistance, home office allowance, summer hours, professional development allowance, and generous paid time off.


Work Environment


The DC Bar Foundation is part of the WeWork community located at 655 New York Ave in Northwest DC. You’ll be expected to work remotely, onsite, and within the community. The work involves frequent use of computers, phones, and virtual meeting platforms, such as MS Teams and Zoom. The role may require periodic work outside of regular business hours, as well as occasional local travel.


The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to safely and successfully perform the essential functions of this job, including meeting productivity standards. All employees must be vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a reasonable accommodation is made based on a protected status. Persons with mental and physical disabilities as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.


The DC Bar Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all individuals. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.


To Apply


Submit your resume and cover letter outlining how your qualifications align with the requirements for this position. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. No calls or emails, please.

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