Job Type: Full-time, remote
Location: Washington
Pay: $75,000-$90,000/year
Summary
The Washington Prescribed Fire Council (WPFC) brings together a broad and diverse network of partners working to advance the safe, effective, and expanded use of prescribed fire across Washington State. Our members include federal and state agencies, Tribes, non-profit organizations, private landowners, researchers, fire practitioners, and community leaders. Together, we work to increase the pace, scale, and capacity of prescribed fire by addressing barriers, strengthening partnerships, and supporting practitioners at all levels. Prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire, restore ecosystem function, and support cultural burning practices. Yet in Washington, its use remains limited by systemic, regulatory, social, and capacity barriers. WPFC exists to change that. This position plays a central role in moving that work forward.
The Statewide Program Director is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations and strategic coordination of WPFC. This is a foundational position that will help stabilize and grow the organization while advancing statewide efforts to increase prescribed fire. This role sits at the intersection of:
Organizational leadership and fiscal sustainability
Statewide coordination and partnership development
Systems-level problem solving to remove barriers to prescribed fire
WPFC is a growing organization with an approximate annual budget of ~$125,000. Many internal systems are still under development. This position will play a key role in building and refining those systems with support from a highly engaged volunteer Board of Directors and partners across the state. This role is expected to evolve over time and may serve as the foundation for a future Executive Director position, contingent on organizational growth and funding.
This position is hosted by Mount Adams Resource Stewards (MARS), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Payroll, benefits, and administrative support are provided through MARS
The WPFC Board of Directors provides direction, sets priorities, and evaluates performance
The Board Chair (or designee) serves as the primary point of contact for supervision and coordination
This is currently a single-employee organization. The Director works closely with a volunteer Board composed of subject matter experts and leaders in prescribed fire across Washington.
Core Responsibilities:
Fiscal Sustainability and Revenue Development (30-40%)
Maintain and stabilize existing funding (~$125,000 annual budget)
Develop and implement a strategy to diversify and grow revenue beyond Year 2
Lead grant writing, contract development, and donor cultivation efforts
Build and maintain relationships with funders, partners, and aligned organizations
Ensure compliance with grant requirements, reporting, and tracking
Council Coordination and Governance (25-35%)
Plan, coordinate, and support WPFC Executive Committee, Steering Committee, and Board meetings
Organize and facilitate the annual WPFC meeting and other key events
Develop agendas, materials, and meeting summaries; track and support follow-through on action items
Support Board members in advancing strategic priorities and initiatives
Maintain strong communication and alignment across committees and partners
Statewide Coordination and Barrier Reduction (20-30%)
Identify and prioritize barriers limiting the pace, scale, and capacity of prescribed fire in Washington
Coordinate with agencies, NGOs, Tribes, Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs), and other partners to develop solutions
Serve as a central connector across organizations working on prescribed fire
Support statewide collaboration, information sharing, and alignment of efforts
Represent WPFC in collaborative settings and statewide initiatives
Operations and Administration (10-20%)
Build and maintain organizational systems, including grant tracking, communications, and internal processes
Manage budget, bookkeeping coordination, invoices, and financial reporting (with contracted support as needed)
Respond to inquiries and maintain regular communication with members and partners
Support development of future staffing structure as the organization grows
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in nonprofit management, program coordination, or organizational leadership
Demonstrated success in grant writing, fundraising, or partnership development
Familiarity with prescribed fire, wildfire management, natural resources, or related fields
Experience working with diverse partners, including agencies, NGOs, and private stakeholders
Experience supporting or working with a Board of Directors
Core Competencies:
Strong organizational and project management skills
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
Skilled communicator (written, verbal, and interpersonal)
Relationship builder who can navigate diverse perspectives and interests
Strategic thinker with the ability to translate ideas into action
Comfortable building systems and processes in a growing organization
Ideal Candidate Profile:
This role is best suited for someone who:
Is motivated to advance prescribed fire at a statewide, systems level
Can operate independently while leveraging strong Board and partner support
Brings a balance of operational, strategic, and relationship-building skills
Is comfortable with both big-picture thinking and day-to-day execution
Sees ambiguity as an opportunity to build, not a barrier
How to Apply:
Please submit a letter of interest, your resume, and three professional references to wa.rxfirecouncil@gmail.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
