Program Officer – Wildfire Resilience Funders Network

Job Summary

Position: Program Officer – Wildfire Resilience Funders Network

Location: Remote (based in USA)

Status: Part-time to full-time. The time commitment for this position is currently anticipated to be 25-32 hours per week including a full benefits package. Expansion to a full-time 40 hour per week position is likely within the first year.

Salary Range: $90,000-$110,000; full-time 40-hour equivalent salary, pro-rated based on actual commitment.

About the Climate Resilience Fund (CRF)

The Climate Resilience Fund was founded in 2016 as a funder’s collaborative focused on building resources and capacity to advance the field and practice of climate adaptation and resilience. Our initiatives advance equitable climate resilience and sustainability outcomes for communities and for the natural systems on which they depend. Our strategies are designed to create leverage and strategic impact by facilitating collaboration across private philanthropic and U.S. federal agencies, with a central goal of mobilizing resources and capacity to meet the growing challenges of the climate crisis.

About the Wildfire Resilience Funders

In late 2022, CRF was engaged by a group of foundation leaders to develop and grow the Wildfire Resilience Funders network (WRF). Our mandate is to cultivate a “learning and action” community that builds shared knowledge, alignment, and fosters collaboration. Our goals are to advance collective understanding of strategies and solutions to the burgeoning wildfire crisis and to facilitate effective collaborations for advancing wildfire resilience strategies and solutions across the western U.S.

CRF has undertaken a two-pronged strategy in pursuit of these goals. The first is centered on learning and community-building activities consisting of regular WRF network meetings, communications, and annual in-person gatherings. The second is facilitating and supporting the development and implementation of collaborative funding strategies and projects that help network members align goals and activities and leverage resources.

After 18 months, WRF membership now includes over 80 organizations and 170 individuals. CRF supports collaborative efforts with four subgroups (Wildfire Action Groups, or “WAGs”) which include between 8-16 members that share topical interests and are interested in exploring opportunities for collaboration. The WRF network operates with support and guidance from a dedicated Advisory Committee and with input and guidance from volunteers from among the 170-plus strong membership.

Position Summary

The Program Officer (PO) is primarily responsible for growing and sustaining the WRF network as well as supporting the pursuit of strategic objectives of CRF and our partners. The PO shepherds the network’s day-to-day activities with a central focus on network member engagements, planning and implementing the members’ learning agenda, supporting WAG efforts, engaging the Advisory Committee, and all related communications. The Program Officer is not necessarily a content expert but has experience working with or within the philanthropic sector and is adept at network management and facilitation. Working knowledge (and importantly, deep interest) in issues such as climate adaptation and resilience, social equity, wildfire resilience, and conservation is important to the role.

The Program Officer must be highly organized and comfortable working in a fast paced, team-oriented, collaborative environment. Knowledge and experience working within or with philanthropic foundations or affinity groups and an understanding of norms of management and finances of nonprofit organizations and private philanthropies is essential. Connections to and familiarity with the institutions and issues which comprise the context within which US communities work to understand and address the threats of a changing climate and wildfire in the coming decades is important to success in the role.

The PO works collaboratively with CRF’s leadership, program, and communications staff on all matters related to funder relations, external communications, fundraising, and other activities as assigned. Importantly, the PO holds the horizon, so to speak, by looking ahead to where the network is going, planning the learning agenda for both the (monthly) virtual and (annual) in-person convenings, and bringing ideas and plans forward for consideration by the AC and CRF leadership. Listening to what network members are interested in, engaging them in exploring ideas, and networking and communicating regularly is a central aspect of the role.

The Program Officer reports to CRF’s Managing Director.

Responsibilities

Work with CRF leadership and WRF Advisory Committee to shape the direction of the network.
Develop programming for and lead shared learning and community-building activities for network members.
Plan and facilitate monthly Advisory Committee and Network-wide virtual meetings.
Work with CRF team, partners/investors, network members, and Advisors to organize, plan, and participate in annual WRF in-person convenings and other events.
Work collaboratively with the CRF communications lead to shape content for website, publications, and newsletters.
Cultivate and build effective relationships for the WRF network with practitioners in the field, including foundation professionals, nonprofit leaders, federal agency personnel, and local/regional officials, planners, and other key constituents.
Seek out opportunities to participate in professional networks to grow familiarity and expertise in fields of climate change adaptation and wildfire resilience.
Undertake an independent research project under the guidance of CRF leadership on an area of interest that is relevant to advancing the work of the WRF network and CRF’s mission.
Participate in annual or bi-annual CRF/WRF strategic planning, internal work planning, strategic communications, as well as other legal compliance, organizational processes, and operations as directed.
Develop monthly work plans in collaboration with the Managing Director; participate in one-on-one meetings with Managing Director at least monthly.
Support the development of network fundraising strategies as well as preparations for fundraising meetings, presentations, and convenings. This may include helping to develop proposals, processing reimbursements for meeting participants, and other related tasks.
Represent the mission, values, and strategies of CRF and WRF to external audiences and generally undertake activities to advocate for climate and wildfire resilience through publications and presentations.

Qualifications

You are an engaging, active networker who is comfortable with public speaking, familiar with norms of management and finances of nonprofit organizations and private philanthropies, and extremely well organized. You are adept at navigating organizational partnerships and working within a collaborative and diverse team environment. You are an active listener and can communicate in a way that supports, engages, and inspires and encourages collaboration.

You are flexible and able to multitask, and work well within a challenging, intellectual, and fast-moving environment while solving problems and driving solutions. You are resourceful and independent in setting priorities and guiding investment in people, organizations, and systems.

You are a believer in the mission of the Climate Resilience Fund, including our two core values: nature and equity. You embrace our mission to create positive change and affirm CRF’s organizational commitment to a healthy work/life balance for all team members and partners.

Specific Experience Requested

We recognize that each applicant for this role will bring unique skills, knowledge, experiences, and background to this position. We welcome diverse experiences and perspectives and will be looking for candidates who possess many, but not necessarily all, of the following qualifications and experience:

At least 5 years of experience in philanthropy, ideally including experience in program strategy development, implementation, and management.
Experience with board relations and managing a committee of advisors.
Experience working with the non-profit sector and with government agencies and personnel.
Excellent people skills, with an ability to engage partners and team members in pursuit of shared goals.
Advanced active listening and communications capacity is integral to the role. The success of the WRF network and related collaborative efforts will be greatly enhanced by effective execution of verbal and written communications that are positioned to support, engage, and inspire CRF/WRF’s partners and constituents.
Experience working closely with philanthropy and understanding of and familiarity with the community of foundations working to address climate change, advance resilience, or pursue sustainability goals.
A network of associates and colleagues across philanthropy, federal government agencies, and the academic and NGO sectors relevant to WRF interests.
Working knowledge of climate change science and policy, wildfire issues generally, and the connections between them.
Knowledge of conservation science and/or policy, sustainability, and the laws, policies, institutions, and issues which represent the contextual basis for climate action.
Strong verbal and written communications skills.
A desire to build relationships with new partners and collaborators; a deep curiosity for exploring new perspectives and challenging current thinking with the ability to create consensus.
Possess personal qualities of honesty, integrity, and a deep personal commitment to helping communities and ecosystems adapt to climate change.
An enthusiastic adopter of new technology and tools; comfort working in a virtual office and paperless environment.

Salary & Benefits

CRF/Multiplier provides a comprehensive compensation package, including competitive salary, excellent medical and dental benefits, retirement savings, and generous vacation and sick leave policy.

The Program Officer will be a full-time employee of CRF/Multiplier, ideally working between 25-32 hours per week (with flexibility for the right candidate) and the potential to expand that commitment to 40 hours per week in the near future.

Equal Opportunity Hiring Statement

Multiplier and CRF celebrate diversity and are committed to building teams and partnerships that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Multiplier and CRF are also committed to providing an environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment. Multiplier and CRF prohibit discrimination in its governance, programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from public assistance, or for any other non-merit-based factor.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Initial screening will occur on June 1, 2024. To apply, please send us your résumé and cover letter to info@climateresiliencefund.org (with Program Officer – Wildfire Resilience Funders in the subject line) explaining why you are interested in this position. Please describe your relevant experience, and qualifications.

We respectfully request no follow-up calls or emails.