Associate Program Officer - Gulf Integration, Development and Education
National Academies Press
- Location
- Washington, DC (Hybrid)
- Posted
- September 16, 2026
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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine established the Gulf Research Program (GRP) in 2013 to enhance energy system safety and protect human health and the environment in the Gulf states and other U.S. outer continental shelf areas. The Program seeks to improve understanding of the region's interconnecting human, environmental, and energy systems and foster application of these insights to benefit communities and ecosystems in the Gulf states and other regions with offshore energy production or potential in the outer continental shelf of the United States.
This position is for an Associate Program Officer (APO) in the Gulf Integration, Development and Education unit (GUIDE). Under the general supervision of the Sr. Program Officer, the APO provides programmatic and operational support for GUIDE's higher education and workforce development portfolio, including the Gulf Scholars Program, Gulf Futures Design Studios Work, and related student and workforce initiatives. The APO will support the next phase of GUIDE's higher education programs with the Sr. Program Officer and relevant Program Officers to steward grantees and operationalize integrated engagements with institutions, employers, alumni, and other partners. In consultation with the Sr. Program Officer, who will provide oversight, the APO will identify and manage day-to-day alumni engagement needs and activities across the portfolio, including communications, participation opportunities, relationship management, and connections among alumni, students, grantees, employers, and other partners. The APO will also provide programmatic support to Program Officers for grantee management and solicitation processes.
The incumbent applies specific professional-level knowledge to solve problems requiring the identification and analysis of moderately complex variables, takes action to solve routine problems in areas of assigned responsibility, and receives guidance or expertise from higher-level staff on more complex problems. The incumbent establishes processes and procedures to ensure the effective and efficient operation of a program/project.
Note: A cover letter is required for full consideration.
Responsibilities
- Manages the day-to-day operations of assigned higher education and workforce development programs, student engagement opportunities, and related portfolio activities
- Coordinates partnerships with higher education institutions, public agencies, professional societies, community organizations, employers, and other partners
- Identifies and manages day-to-day alumni engagement needs and activities across GUIDE's higher education and workforce development portfolio, including communications, outreach, participation opportunities, relationship management, tracking, and connections with students, grantees, employers, and other partners, in consultation with the Sr. Program Officer for oversight and strategic alignment
- Facilitates coordinated support for grantees, including onboarding, communications, convenings, peer learning, technical assistance logistics, and connections to relevant resources
- Provides programmatic support to Program Officers for grantee management and solicitation processes, including communications, meetings, award and deliverable tracking, records, solicitation materials, applicant communications, review logistics, and selection documentation
- Works with evaluation staff and/or consultants to assess assigned higher education and workforce development programs, career-focused student engagement, and grantee support activities
- Coordinates administrative facets of programs/projects, including identifying workflow needs, developing procedures and recordkeeping systems, and ensuring activities are executed and tracked
- Develops written materials and coordinates publication and dissemination activities
- May edit reports, facilitate responses to review, engage external organizations, prepare dissemination materials, and conduct dissemination meetings
- Compiles and summarizes information for documents and correspondence and creates and maintains program records and databases
- Coordinates with communications staff to maintain web content and may prepare newsletters and other promotional materials
- Collects, organizes, and maintains program and grantee data for reporting, evaluation, and portfolio planning
- Student Engagement: Career Exploration, Readiness, and Opportunities
- Identifies career roles and pathways for students in the next phase of GUIDE's higher education programs and works with Sr. Program Officer, Program Officers, and partners to develop related engagement opportunities
- Career exploration: Creates activities that expose students to Gulf region sectors, occupations, employers, alumni, grantees, and career pathways
- Career readiness: Coordinates training and resources in professional communication, applications, interviewing, networking, workplace expectations, and articulation of program-acquired skills
- Career opportunities: Identifies and communicates internships, applied learning, research, community projects, employer connections, and employment opportunities across the portfolio
- Manages outreach, selection, orientation, communications, implementation, follow-up, assessment, and connections among students, alumni, grantees, employers, and other partners
Nonessential Job Duties
- Related duties and special projects as assigned
Qualifications
- Knowledge of grant and program administration, including grantee management and solicitation processes
- Experience developing higher education student engagement across career exploration, readiness, and opportunities preferred
- Strong project management, communication, presentation, and stakeholder engagement skills
- Knowledge of program performance and participant outcome measurement
- Ability to exercise independent judgment, manage competing priorities, solve problems, work effectively in teams, and build relationships with grantees, students, alumni, employers, and other stakeholders
Minimum Education/Training Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent knowledge
Minimum Experience
- Three years of related experience
Preferred
Education and Experience
- Master's degree in Higher Education, Education, Public Administration, Workforce Development, or a related field preferred
- Experience in student engagement, career programming, employer engagement, workforce development, grantee support, solicitation administration, or evaluation preferred
Physical Capabilities
- Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time
- Ability to travel
Required
Licenses, Certification or Registration
- None
Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls
- Reports to the GUIDE Sr. Program Officer
- Sets objectives with supervisor, who assists with problem resolution as needed
Compensation and Benefits
- An estimated compensation range for this position is $73,760 - $92,190
- Compensation offered to the selected candidate will be based on the candidate's relevant knowledge, skills, and work experience, commensurate with compensation of current employees in comparable positions with similar knowledge, skills, and work experience, and subject to budget parameters
- Note it is not typical for a candidate to be hired at the higher end of the range
- This is a benefits-eligible position
- Our Benefits Plan offers competitive and comprehensive benefit options, including medical, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, disability coverage, retirement and savings benefits, leave benefits such as paid holidays and paid personal leave, transportation subsidies, and education assistance
Work Environment
- Hybrid Office/Telecommute environment, expected onsite percentage 60%, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities
