Associate Program Officer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Description

The Living Desert
Job Description

Job Title: Government and Institutional Giving Officer

Department: Development

Exemption: Exempt; full time

Reports to: Chief Development Officer

DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Government and Institutional Giving Officer serves as a strategic leader within The Living Desert's Development Department and is responsible for advancing institutional funding opportunities through grants, government partnerships, and external funding relationships. The position leads the Development Department's grants program and supports the organization-wide grant strategy and government funding initiatives to advance The Living Desert's mission, strategic priorities, conservation efforts, education programs, and capital projects.

Working collaboratively across all departments, including Development, Conservation, Animal Care, and Learning & Impact, the Government and Institutional Giving Officer oversees the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of foundation, corporate, and government funding sources. The position is responsible for developing and supporting complex grant proposals and reports, managing compliance and reporting requirements, monitoring funding trends and legislative opportunities, and representing The Living Desert with funders, public agencies, elected officials, lobbyists, and community stakeholders.

The Government and Institutional Giving Officer supervises Grants Department staff, including the Grants Associate and any future Grants positions, and provides leadership, guidance, support, and strategic direction related to institutional funding opportunities and government programs. Reports directly to the Chief Development Officer and works closely with executive leadership and departmental leadership throughout the organization.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

LEADERSHIP & FUNDING STRATEGY

• Develops and supports organizational grant and government funding strategy aligned with The Living Desert's strategic plan, operational priorities, conservation initiatives, educational programming, and capital campaign efforts.
• Provides strategic oversight of The Living Desert's institutional funding portfolio, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities, funding requirements, and long-term sustainability goals.
• Identifies and cultivates high-level funding opportunities through government agencies, foundations, corporations, and other institutional partners.
• Partners with executive leadership to position The Living Desert competitively for major public and private funding opportunities.
• Researches and advises organizational leadership on emerging funding trends, legislative developments, and external partnership opportunities that may impact organizational priorities or operations.
• Supervises Grants Department staff and provides leadership, coaching, mentorship, and performance management, with the potential to oversee additional assigned Development Department staff in the future.
• Establishes departmental goals, workflows, timelines, and accountability measures to ensure timely completion of proposals, reports, and grant compliance requirements.

GRANT WRITING AND MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

• Leads and supports grant writing endeavors across The Living Desert and works collaboratively with all organizational departments to support institutional funding initiatives.
• Oversees and supports the preparation, development, writing, editing, and submission of grant proposals, letters of inquiry, applications, reports, budgets, and supporting documentation.
• Oversees the collection, analysis, evaluation, and reporting of program data and organizational outcomes related to grant-funded activities.
• Develops compelling narratives and funding proposals that effectively communicate The Living Desert's mission, programs, strategic priorities, conservation impact, and community benefit.
• Maintains and oversees organization-wide grant calendars, funding deadlines, reporting schedules, and compliance requirements.
• Reviews and approves grant submissions and reports prior to submission to funding organizations.
• Coordinates with Finance and departmental leadership to develop grant budgets, monitor restricted funding, and ensure compliance with funder requirements.
• Maintains accurate and organized records of funder communications, proposals, reporting requirements, and grant activity within organizational systems.
• Researches and identifies new funding opportunities from government agencies, corporations, foundations, and private funding organizations.
• Develops and maintains relationships with foundation program officers, grant administrators, agency representatives, and institutional funding partners.
• Participates in organizational budgeting processes by forecasting institutional funding revenue and grant opportunities.
• Prepares monthly reports regarding submitted, pending, awarded, and declined grants for executive leadership and Board reporting purposes.
• Supports cross-departmental strategic initiatives and special projects as assigned.
• Contributes to desert conservation through reduction of waste, water, and energy use, and inspiring guests and team members to take conservation actions.
• Other duties as assigned.

GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS & PUBLIC FUNDING ACTIVITIES

• Collaborates with executive leadership to monitor, analyze, and respond to legislation, public policy developments, and government initiatives impacting The Living Desert's mission, operations, conservation programs, education programs, and capital projects.
• Serves as the primary liaison to The Living Desert's external lobbyist and government affairs consultants, coordinating advocacy priorities, monitoring legislative developments, identifying public funding opportunities, and supporting strategic engagement with local, state, and federal officials.
• Identifies, secures, manages, and supports government funding opportunities, ensuring compliance with grant requirements and aligning proposals with TLD priorities.
• Builds and maintains relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and their staff.
• Collaborates with public agencies and partners to promote conservation initiatives and secure support for the zoo's programs and projects.
• Represents The Living Desert in government, community, and professional forums.

SPECIFIC SKILLS

• Detail-oriented with strong time management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with multiple departments.
• Strong financial acumen for budget preparation, reconciliation, and review.
• Ability to interpret and apply funder requirements, restrictions, and compliance guidelines.
• Succinct style of writing required for grant writing and database experience (Donor Perfect preferred). 
• Demonstrated professionalism and ability to effectively represent The Living Desert with funders, elected officials, government agencies, and community stakeholders.

Requirements

EDUCATION AND PRE-REQUISITES

Bachelor's degree in Nonprofit Management, Finance, Public Administration, Communications, Business Administration, or related field required.

Minimum of five to seven years of progressively responsible experience in grant writing, institutional fundraising, government relations, nonprofit development, or related field required.

Supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred.

Possess excellent writing and computer skills (Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel), and database management skills. 

Requires an excellent command of the English language with the ability to successfully write, edit, and proofread proposals, correspondence, narrative, and financial reports, and other pertinent documents. 

Has excellent verbal communication and personal relations skills, over the phone and in person.  

Must hold a valid California driver license and be insurable on The Living Desert's automobile insurance policy. 

CONDITIONS OF WORK

PHYSICAL EFFORT: Sitting at computer station for extended periods; standing, walking, bending, lifting, twisting, climbing, crawling, kneeling, reaching motions. Ability to lift 20 pounds is necessary for moving materials and equipment; ability to stoop and kneel is necessary for accessing files; necessary vision/sight to read computer monitors; willingness to work a minimum of five days per week in the office at The Living Desert.

DISCOMFORT/RISKS : Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Possible exposure to extreme weather conditions.

HOLIDAY/EVENING WORK: As part of the Development Department, some evening, weekend, and holiday work is periodically required.

TRAVEL: Conference, workshop, advocacy, government relations, and professional meeting attendance may be required. Position may require independent, unaccompanied travel to local, state, and federal meetings, conferences, and Advocacy Days, including occasional travel to Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

This class specification should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this specification.