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Organizational Overview
Based in San Francisco, GroundSpark is a small, Academy Award-winning media production and education organization with a strong national reputation for producing high quality documentary films that open up dialogue about prejudice and discrimination and spark shifts in attitudes, behaviors, laws and policies.
Over the past 20 years, GroundSpark has pioneered a long-term social change strategy that pairs media distribution with political and community organizing, and offering professional development on how to use our films to make a difference. Ambitious well-conceived outreach and education campaigns are crucial to our success as social change activists.
A leader in the field of anti-bias education, GroundSpark's primary current focus is its Respect For All Project (RFAP). Through the distribution of award-winning films, accompanying curricula, and a training program aimed at educators, youth service providers and parents, the project strives to create safe schools and communities by opening up dialogue about diversity, prejudice and discrimination. Through this work GroundSpark has been a national pioneer advocating for the inclusion of age-appropriate curricula that addresses anti-gay bias.
Associate Producer
POSITION SUMMARY
GroundSpark is hiring an Associate Producer to assume the responsibilities of our Staff Producer while she is away on maternity leave. This is a temporary 4 to 6-month position starting in June, with the possibility of extending or becoming permanent after that. Training with the current Staff Producer will take place for 2-3 weeks in June and July.
The Associate Producer reports to the Senior Producer, and works closely with the Edit Room Manager, Editor and numerous outside vendors and contractors.
The bulk of work during the six months will focus on completing production of our current documentary, Straightlaced, about the pressures teenagers face to conform to gender role expectations and the homophobia that underlies those pressures. The Associate Producer will also coordinate the release and launch of the film and the production of a related DVD.
The Associate Producer will be part of our 11-person staff and participate in organization-wide strategic planning, fundraising, and distribution projects.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILTIES
- Oversee the post-production process and schedule, working with our edit room manager, editor, graphics house and director/producer to keep the project on schedule and keep track of all the moving parts;
- Coordinate the music composition process for Straightlaced with the composer;
- Research and obtain archival and stock footage and images;
- Coordinate and set up rough-cut screenings with various audiences by preparing questionnaires and compiling feedback;
- Work with vendors and in-house staff to oversee production of the Straightlaced DVD including producing extras, closed captions, subtitles, translations and menu design. In addition, oversee the DVD replication process.
- Oversee film festival applications and screening details for all our titles, especially Its STILL Elementary; and begin film festival research and applications for Straightlaced;
- Oversee sub-distribution of our titles by outside entities – responding to new inquiries and maintaining relationships with existing ones;
- Consider and pursue TV broadcasts and theatrical screenings of all our titles, and especially Straightlaced and It’s STILL Elementary;
- Respond to and negotiate licensing requests for films including, but not limited to: educational streaming, cable access and other footage licensing;
- Oversee production of film trailers to be used online and for marketing;
- Coordinate re-printing of VHS and DVD copies of our films, as needed;
- Oversee the production of any requests for specialized edited versions of our films;
- Maintain production photo files;
- Assist the Senior Producer on special projects and as needed;
- The ideal candidate will be a highly organized self-starter with confidence and experience in all aspects of film producing, including working in a post-production environment, working with vendors and producing DVDs.
OTHER PRODUCING DUTIES
COMPENSATION AND HOURS
This will be a contract position paid hourly at a rate of $20/hour for a minimum of 20 – 30 hours a week. Flexibility for more hours as needed required. Driver’s license required. Flexibility to work long days if needed. If the position does continue after six months, it will become a salaried position with medical, dental, vision benefits and paid vacation.
DESIRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALITIES
- A minimum of two years of experience producing documentaries or TV, either independently or as part of a team;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Proficiency with Macintosh OSX, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Word, and Excel; strong internet research skills;
- Able to multi-task and prioritize in a busy office, responding to new requests and initiating projects while maintaining existing work;
- Systematic, with excellent organizational and time-management skills;
- Detail-oriented and conscientious;
- Committed to and enthusiastic about GroundSpark’s mission and programs with a demonstrated commitment to progressive social justice issues in general and with racial justice and LGBT equality in particular;
- B.A. degree or more in a relevant field.
TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a substantive cover letter and resume detailing your relevant experience and interest in the position to: jobs@groundspark.org. Please put “Associate Producer” in the subject line.
No phone calls please. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Position open until filled.
Program Associate
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Associate (PA) provides direct support to The Respect For All Project programs and staff. The Program Associate has primarily responsible for coordinating the logistics of the RFAP workshop series, including overseeing workshop intake, registration, materials, travel and site coordination. By interfacing with facilitators, workshop participants, and vendors at all stages, the Program Associate ensures the smooth and successful execution of our workshop series and our outreach campaigns. The PA is also responsible managing the evaluation of the workshops.
The Program Associate assists the Director of Educational Programs, National Outreach & Media Relations Coordinator and Community Programs Manager, and reports to the Director of Educational Programs.
Please note that this position is not involved in film production.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Conduct initial screening and evaluation of external client and workshop inquiries and requests for program information;
- Serve as primary liaison to RFAP facilitators;
- Facilitate registration for program related events;
- Coordinate logistical needs for workshops/conferences with local site contact and RFAP facilitators;
- Coordinate travel arrangements for program staff and facilitators;
- Coordinate catering and hospitality for program related events;
- Prepare, package and ship workshop and exhibition materials;
- Coordinate and implement pre- and post-phone interviews with workshop participants;
- Tabulate and summarize workshop evaluations
- Manage, review, update, and assemble program materials (including printing and inventory oversight);
- Research statistics and local policies;
- Assist with research and organizing process for National coalition events;
- Assist with the research and application process for conferences;
- Code workshop-related invoices;
- Manage A/V equipment;
- Execute database entry of new events and workshop contacts;
- Oversee event calendar;
- Send training related bulk emails;
- Complete miscellaneous program related projects as they arise.
OVERALL POSITION PRIORITIES
- Know GroundSpark and The Respect For All Project – its history, mission, culture, program, internal operations, key players and allies. Share a staff wide passion for GroundSpark’s mission and programs.
- Work collaboratively with GroundSpark staff to ensure that the organization continues to offer high quality educational programming. Contribute as a team player to organizational projects and planning.
- Establish strong working relationships with the Director of Educational Programs, Community Programs Manager and the National Outreach & Media Relations Coordinator.
The ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:
- Minimum of two years experience working in an office environment;
- A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent;
- Proficiency with Macintosh OSX, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Word, and Excel; strong internet research skills; Experience with InDesign and/or Photoshop also preferred;
- Strong project and task management experience;
- Strong written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to take initiative and follow-through with tasks;
- Systematic, with excellent organizational and time-management skills;
- Ability to work in a team and independently, and respond to multiple demands;
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize;
- Detail-oriented and conscientious;
- Attentive, with good listening skills; ability to communicate clearly to other staff about workload and scheduling of projects;
- Willingness/flexibility to take on new projects and roles as appropriate;
- Committed to and enthusiastic about GroundSpark’s mission and programs with a demonstrated commitment to progressive social justice issues in general and with racial justice and LGBT equality in particular;
- Good-natured, mature, patient, good sense of humor.
Salary range is $28,000 - $32,000, commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits including three weeks paid vacation, medical, dental, and vision coverage for staff and their dependents (eligibility for spouses or domestic partners), eligibility for 403 (b) plan.
Fulltime. Regular business hours, nine to five. Our office is in San Francisco’s Mission district.
TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a substantive cover letter, resume, and writing sample from the last five years to: jobs@groundspark.org. Please put “Program Associate” in the subject line. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. No phone calls please.
Grants Manager
POSITION SUMMARY
The Grants Manager will take a lead role in growing the financial support GroundSpark receives from institutional funders, corporations and family foundations. The Grants Manager is responsible for researching, cultivating and pursuing funding to support the organization’s filmmaking, outreach, and community organizing efforts. The Grants Manager pursues grants that are a good fit for the organization and ensures that grant proposals communicate the vision and purpose of each project succinctly and effectively. The Grants Manager is the primary liaison between the organization and its institutional funders.
The Grants Manager position is half-time with the possibility for future full-time employment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare and submit letters of intent, grant proposals and grant reports;
- Develop and write letters of intent, grant proposals and grant reports;
- Research new foundation opportunities, determine eligibility, and cultivate;
- Investigate and pursue corporate funding;
- Maintain calendar for grant reporting, letters of intent, applications, thank you letters and other follow up to foundations, and regularly brief senior management on their status;
- With the Financial Manager, ensure that grant funds are used and recorded appropriately;
- Monitor progress on grants, ensuring that all reporting requirements are met;
- Maintain documentation on all matters related to foundations and grants;
- Maintain accurate foundation database records and files;
- Establish and cultivate relationships with current and potential program officers, including coordinating regular communications and updates about key development and news;
- Additional projects and duties as assigned by management consistent with current assigned duties and related work experience.
OVERALL POSITION PRIORITIES
- Know GroundSpark and The Respect For All Project – it’s history, mission, culture, program, internal operations, key players and allies. Share a staff wide passion for GroundSpark’s mission and programs.
- Work collaboratively with GroundSpark staff to ensure that the organization maintains strong foundation support. Contribute as a team player to organizational projects and planning.
DESIRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALITIES
- A minimum of three years of experience, preferably in developing and writing grant proposals and managing funded grants within an organizational context;
- Understand the “ins and outs” of the grant writing process;
- Knowledge of procedures and guidelines for funding from private foundations;
- Excellent writing and editorial skills;
- Strong oral communication skills;
- Proficiency with Macintosh OSX, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Word, and Excel; strong internet research skills;
- Strong project and task management experience;
- Ability to take initiative and follow-through with tasks;
- Systematic, with excellent organizational and time-management skills;
- Ability to work in a team and independently, and respond to multiple demands;
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize;
- Detail-oriented and conscientious;
- Attentive, with good listening skills;
- Willingness/flexibility to take on new projects as appropriate;
- Committed to and enthusiastic about GroundSpark’s mission and programs with a demonstrated commitment to progressive social justice issues in general and with racial justice and LGBT equality in particular;
- B.A. degree in a relevant field.
- Good-natured, mature, patient, good sense of humor.
Salary range is pro-rated based on an annual full-time salary of $43,000 to $53,000 depending on experience, plus excellent benefits including pro-rated vacation, medical, dental, and vision coverage for staff and their dependents (eligibility for spouses or domestic partners), eligibility for 403 (b) plan.
TO APPLY
To apply, please submit a substantive cover letter, resume, and writing sample from the last two years to: jobs@groundspark.org. Please put “Grants Manager” in the subject line. No phone calls please. Applications will be reviewed as they are received. Position open until filled.
Please check back soon for summer intern possibilities.
GroundSpark is an equal-opportunity employer and actively strives for a diverse, dynamic staff and board. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.