Sr. Program Officer Thriving Communities Grantmaker Program

The GHHI Mission

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative (GHHI) is a 501(c)3 entity with the mission to address the social determinants of health, opportunity and equity through the creation of healthy, safe and energy efficient homes. By delivering a standard of excellence in its work, GHHI aims to eradicate the negative health impacts of unhealthy housing and unjust policies for children, seniors and families to ensure better health, economic and social outcomes in historically disinvested communities – with an emphasis on communities of color. GHHI supports housing, environmental health, and energy efficiency [BB1] services for families in communities around the country, as well as conducting direct services in Maryland. GHHI’s delivery model is based on its data-driven philosophy that public and private social investments are optimized and social program outcomes are maximized when the energy, health and safety needs of an occupied home are addressed comprehensively, efficiently, and simultaneously.

The GHHI Culture

GHHI is a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where all employees, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, and local laws feels valued and respected. GHHI’s commitment to a nondiscriminatory approach provides equal opportunity for employment and advancement in all departments, programs, and locations. The organization respects and values diverse life experiences and heritages and ensures that all voices are valued and heard.

About the Thriving Communities Grantmaker Project (TCGM)

The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative is one of 11 organizations selected by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to serve as an Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaker. GHHI received $50 million to provide subgrants to community-based nonprofits and other eligible subrecipients in EPA Region 3 for assessment, planning, and project development activities. Grantmakers will alleviate much of the burden that the federal grants process places on small, resource-constrained community-based organizations supporting underserved communities and marginalized populations. The 11 Grantmakers are a combination of community-based nonprofit organizations in potential partnerships with a federally recognized Tribal government or an institution of higher education. Grantmakers will design competitive application and submission processes, award environmental justice subgrants, implement a tracking and reporting system, provide resources and support to communities, all in collaboration with EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights.

Position Overview

The Sr. Program Officer Thriving Communities Grantmaker Program will support the EPA Region 3 Thriving Communities Grantmaker (TCGM) project. The TCGM Project, in collaboration with the EPA, will award $40 million in EPA funding, flowing from the Inflation Reduction Act, to fund eligible projects in historically disinvested communities throughout EPA’s Region 3. To further ensure equity and transparency, the Project includes a dedicated Advisory Board comprised of 10+ organizations which will provide outreach support, applicant engagement, and ensure equitable, transparent project implementation. To ensure subrecipients’ technical assistance needs are met, the Project will also include a dedicated team of technical assistance partners with subject matter expertise congruous to the projects selected to receive TCGM subgrants. This position will support the start-up, three-year project strategy, ongoing operations, and subrecipient grants support. This position will work to ensure that barriers are lowered for applicants and subrecipients, that subrecipients are adequately supported with capacity building and technical assistance, and that there is strong coordination between the project team, partners, networks, and the EPA Region 3 TCTAC center. This position will report to the Senior Vice President for Thriving Communities, for the duration of the three-year project period.

Support the Senior Vice President for Thriving Communities and project team in:

People Management

• Manage a team of four Program Officers. These Program Officers will lead Grant Management Teams for each subrecipient and will provide support, provide technical assistance, monitor grants, and ensure requirements are met for compliance.

Project Management

• Develop, launch, and provide ongoing management of the project management tracking and reporting system.
• Establish process for Grant Management Team composition to support subrecipients.
• Create and manage a knowledge library to support the diverse set of subrecipients.
• Support ongoing operational management of the Thriving Communities Grantmaker project.
• Facilitate and host project team meetings when requested by the Senior Vice President for Thriving Communities.

Grantmaking Strategy & Support

• Support the grantmaking strategy and process for sub award provision, including but not limited to, ensuring interested applicants have an easy-to-use application platform and have transparency as to the status of their application.
• Ensure processes for threshold and full criteria review of submitted applications occur within defined timeframes.
• Support ongoing monitoring and reporting of grant activities.
• Support ongoing use of the grants management system, ensuring that the system is used to support various grant management processes, including but not limited to applications, review, award, pre-award readiness, grant monitoring, and reporting.

Stakeholder Relationships

• Support feedback processes to facilitate Advisory Board engagement throughout the project.
• Support feedback processes to facilitate community engagement throughout the project.
• Support strong relationships with vendors, the EPA, regional partners, and more.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of experience in multi-state non-profit program management, implementation, and strategy
• Proven ability of managing flow-through grants (federal, foundation, or corporate gifts) to a diverse set of grantees
• Strong understanding and commitment to addressing health, environmental, racial, and economic inequities through solution-based approaches
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate and achieve results across multiple partnerships
• An ability to work independently while serving as part of a regional team
• Cultural competency and strong interpersonal skills for interacting with colleagues, clients, and project partners of all demographic and professional levels
• Strong problem-solving skills with an ability to identify and solve complex issues
• Strong presentation and public speaking skills
• Flexibility, initiative, and a collaborative spirit
• Professional, positive work ethic
• Commitment to justice, equity, and inclusion
• Ability to travel, as needed, to support the project

Preferred

• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, PowerPoint, and Excel
• Degree in public health, public administration, non-profit management, or another comparable field
• Familiarity with federal grant compliance, regulations, and processes
• Familiarity with project management software, like Monday.com
• Experience consulting, coaching, or providing constructive feedback to partners and staff

Additional Information: This is a full-time, exempt position. The Green & Healthy Homes Initiative is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. GHHI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities. GHHI has a deep commitment to racial, gender and ethnic diversity and seeks applicants from all qualified persons.