Explore Company
The Richard King Mellon Foundation, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, seeks to recruit a Program Associate.
Overview For 77 years the Richard King Mellon Foundation has invested in the competitive future and quality of life in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and in the protection, preservation, and restoration of America’s environmental heritage.
The Foundation was established in 1947 by Richard King Mellon (1899 – 1970), president and chairman of Mellon Bank, a conservationist and leading figure in the financial and civic life of Pennsylvania. Following his service in World War II, General Mellon had returned home to catalyze the nationally recognized Pittsburgh Renaissance, a groundbreaking public‑private partnership for urban revitalization. As a banker and director of major corporations, he envisioned philanthropy as an investment and partnership to improve the city and region where he worked and lived. As a lifelong outdoorsman and sportsman, he, along with his wife, Constance Prosser Mellon, had an equally strong commitment to preserving wildlife habitat and the natural world. Mrs. Mellon served as chair of the Foundation from 1947 until her death in 1980.
With assets of approximately $3 billion and annual grants and program‑related investments of $175 million, the Richard King Mellon Foundation embodies the vision of its founder – to serve primarily Southwestern Pennsylvania with a strategic interest in advancing regional economic development, conservation, economic mobility, and health and well‑being, supplemented by companion programs to improve the organizational effectiveness of select nonprofit grant partner, and a social‑impact investment program, to invest in socially minded for‑profit companies whose work has the potential to advance the Foundation’s philanthropic goals. The Richard King Mellon Foundation has also made a legacy commitment to the support of a broad range of strategic conservation activities nationally. Often working in partnership with government agencies and conservation organizations, the Foundation has helped to ensure the protection of more than 4.5 million acres of environmentally precious land and habitats at sites in all fifty states.
For more information about the Richard King Mellon Foundation and its strategic plan, visit their website at: https://www.rkmf.org/
Conservation Program Associate The Richard King Mellon Foundation (Foundation) strives to improve the quality of life and vitality of Southwestern Pennsylvania, particularly the City of Pittsburgh and its neighborhoods. The Foundation also provides funding to protect important habitats and natural amenities in Western Pennsylvania and across the United States.
The Conservation Program Associate serves a hands‑on role in advancing the Foundation’s conservation goals. Working closely with the Conservation program officer and Foundation Director, this position will engage in tactical activities that ensure the Foundation’s strategy is thoughtfully implemented.
The work of the Conservation Program Associate will require an individual to be both analytical and administrative. The Foundation’s Conservation Program is divided into four sections: Habitat Conservation – protection and enhancement of biodiversity by conserving landscapes in the United States through the purchase of land; the use of conservation easements; and the use of other structures that ensure durable conservation outcomes; Activation – sustainable economic development in rural communities where it has made historic investments in habitat conservation; Stewardship – support the restoration and enhancement of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in high‑priority landscapes; and Sustainable Communities – support improving environmental quality, sustainability and the livability of communities in Western Pennsylvania, and other geographies, where it has made historic investments. The Conservation Program Associate will work across all areas of the foundation’s conservation portfolio but will have a priority focus on the Activation work of the foundation’s conservation grantmaking.
The Conservation Program Associate will monitor grantee activities, track conservation outcomes, and conduct research on emerging issues such as habitat restoration, water quality, land stewardship, and community‑based conservation models. The Conservation Program Associate will prepare briefings, and other materials required to keep foundation decision makers informed and engaged. They will maintain dashboards and grant tracking systems, support measurement and learning efforts, and assist with convenings— planning, preparing agendas, and capturing insights from the field to inform future investments.
The Conservation Program Associate should also be an individual who is committed to the Foundation’s mission across its other program areas of economic development, economic mobility, health and well‑being, organizational effectiveness, and social impact investments. The Program Associate will help facilitate the impact of the Foundation through interaction with public, private, and other civic leaders.
Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes The Conservation Program Associate should possess the following ideal set of professional qualifications and personal attributes:
A deep commitment to the donor intent, mission, and values of the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
An ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas – a sense of inquisitiveness and eagerness to improve.
A minimum of 5-7 years’ professional experience and a commitment to explore professional development opportunities.
Effective communicator with excellent listening, speaking, and writing skills.
Possessing the ability to work across the Foundation’s grant programs to support collaborative projects and shared strategic priorities.
Excited to work across the Foundation’s urban and rural funding geographies and to spend time in the Foundation’s offices in Pittsburgh and Ligonier.
Possessing a conservation ethic and a commitment to stewardship of land, water, and wildlife habitat.
Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience with an advanced degree in a related field preferred.
Compensation and Office Policy The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience. The Conservation Program Office will be based in the Pittsburgh Office. The position is not remote. Moreover, the Conservation Program Officer will be expected to travel on a regular basis to spend time in the Foundation’s office in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
How to Apply Candidates should email a cover letter explaining how their background fits this position and a resume to: Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company, at resumes@explorecompany.com. Refer to Foundation/Conservation PA in the subject line. No phone inquiries please.
The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All correspondence will remain confidential.
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Overview For 77 years the Richard King Mellon Foundation has invested in the competitive future and quality of life in Southwestern Pennsylvania, and in the protection, preservation, and restoration of America’s environmental heritage.
The Foundation was established in 1947 by Richard King Mellon (1899 – 1970), president and chairman of Mellon Bank, a conservationist and leading figure in the financial and civic life of Pennsylvania. Following his service in World War II, General Mellon had returned home to catalyze the nationally recognized Pittsburgh Renaissance, a groundbreaking public‑private partnership for urban revitalization. As a banker and director of major corporations, he envisioned philanthropy as an investment and partnership to improve the city and region where he worked and lived. As a lifelong outdoorsman and sportsman, he, along with his wife, Constance Prosser Mellon, had an equally strong commitment to preserving wildlife habitat and the natural world. Mrs. Mellon served as chair of the Foundation from 1947 until her death in 1980.
With assets of approximately $3 billion and annual grants and program‑related investments of $175 million, the Richard King Mellon Foundation embodies the vision of its founder – to serve primarily Southwestern Pennsylvania with a strategic interest in advancing regional economic development, conservation, economic mobility, and health and well‑being, supplemented by companion programs to improve the organizational effectiveness of select nonprofit grant partner, and a social‑impact investment program, to invest in socially minded for‑profit companies whose work has the potential to advance the Foundation’s philanthropic goals. The Richard King Mellon Foundation has also made a legacy commitment to the support of a broad range of strategic conservation activities nationally. Often working in partnership with government agencies and conservation organizations, the Foundation has helped to ensure the protection of more than 4.5 million acres of environmentally precious land and habitats at sites in all fifty states.
For more information about the Richard King Mellon Foundation and its strategic plan, visit their website at: https://www.rkmf.org/
Conservation Program Associate The Richard King Mellon Foundation (Foundation) strives to improve the quality of life and vitality of Southwestern Pennsylvania, particularly the City of Pittsburgh and its neighborhoods. The Foundation also provides funding to protect important habitats and natural amenities in Western Pennsylvania and across the United States.
The Conservation Program Associate serves a hands‑on role in advancing the Foundation’s conservation goals. Working closely with the Conservation program officer and Foundation Director, this position will engage in tactical activities that ensure the Foundation’s strategy is thoughtfully implemented.
The work of the Conservation Program Associate will require an individual to be both analytical and administrative. The Foundation’s Conservation Program is divided into four sections: Habitat Conservation – protection and enhancement of biodiversity by conserving landscapes in the United States through the purchase of land; the use of conservation easements; and the use of other structures that ensure durable conservation outcomes; Activation – sustainable economic development in rural communities where it has made historic investments in habitat conservation; Stewardship – support the restoration and enhancement of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in high‑priority landscapes; and Sustainable Communities – support improving environmental quality, sustainability and the livability of communities in Western Pennsylvania, and other geographies, where it has made historic investments. The Conservation Program Associate will work across all areas of the foundation’s conservation portfolio but will have a priority focus on the Activation work of the foundation’s conservation grantmaking.
The Conservation Program Associate will monitor grantee activities, track conservation outcomes, and conduct research on emerging issues such as habitat restoration, water quality, land stewardship, and community‑based conservation models. The Conservation Program Associate will prepare briefings, and other materials required to keep foundation decision makers informed and engaged. They will maintain dashboards and grant tracking systems, support measurement and learning efforts, and assist with convenings— planning, preparing agendas, and capturing insights from the field to inform future investments.
The Conservation Program Associate should also be an individual who is committed to the Foundation’s mission across its other program areas of economic development, economic mobility, health and well‑being, organizational effectiveness, and social impact investments. The Program Associate will help facilitate the impact of the Foundation through interaction with public, private, and other civic leaders.
Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes The Conservation Program Associate should possess the following ideal set of professional qualifications and personal attributes:
A deep commitment to the donor intent, mission, and values of the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
An ability to listen to others and learn from their best ideas – a sense of inquisitiveness and eagerness to improve.
A minimum of 5-7 years’ professional experience and a commitment to explore professional development opportunities.
Effective communicator with excellent listening, speaking, and writing skills.
Possessing the ability to work across the Foundation’s grant programs to support collaborative projects and shared strategic priorities.
Excited to work across the Foundation’s urban and rural funding geographies and to spend time in the Foundation’s offices in Pittsburgh and Ligonier.
Possessing a conservation ethic and a commitment to stewardship of land, water, and wildlife habitat.
Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent work experience with an advanced degree in a related field preferred.
Compensation and Office Policy The Foundation offers an excellent benefits package and a salary that is commensurate with experience. The Conservation Program Office will be based in the Pittsburgh Office. The position is not remote. Moreover, the Conservation Program Officer will be expected to travel on a regular basis to spend time in the Foundation’s office in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
How to Apply Candidates should email a cover letter explaining how their background fits this position and a resume to: Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company, at resumes@explorecompany.com. Refer to Foundation/Conservation PA in the subject line. No phone inquiries please.
The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. All correspondence will remain confidential.
#J-18808-Ljbffr