Senior Government Relations Specialist - Alliance Wildfire Resilience

Overview

The Alliance for Wildfire Resilience (AWR) is working to achieve meaningful and durable policy change to lessen the negative impacts of wildfire both today and tomorrow. AWR works with the broader wildland fire community to advance policy change and foster systemic solutions to the growing wildfire crisis. AWR is a collaboration of AWR Research and AWR Action. AWR Research, a fiscally sponsored project of the 501(c)(3) Resources Legacy Fund (RLF), provides public education regarding the mission and recommendations of the Commission, as well as nonpartisan research, analysis, and public education on additional policy solutions to America's worsening wildland fire crisis.

AWR Action, a fiscally sponsored project of the 501(c)(4) Fund for a Better Future (FBF), advocates for wildfire policy reforms through coalition building, strategic communications, and engagement with decision-makers. Resources Legacy Fund (RLF) delivers transformative outcomes for our planet and its people through trusted partnerships and creative campaigns. Rooted in California and expanding across Western North America and beyond, we have a 25-year track record of supporting initiatives at every scale.

We host fiscally sponsored projects that reach across the globe, reinforcing the efforts of change makers worldwide. To learn more about Resources Legacy Fund, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Organization:
Alliance for Wildfire Resilience

Reports to:

Managing Director

Location:

Remote with travel (Washington, D.C. area preferred)

Employment Type:

Full-time, exempt

AWR is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Government Relations Specialist to play a key role in advancing AWR's federal policy and advocacy priorities. This position focuses on monitoring and influencing federal legislation, engaging directly with federal agencies, administration officials, congressional offices, and partner organizations. Other duties include preparing policy recommendations and representing AWR in federal-level forums.

This position will have limited involvement with state and local government affairs, though it may include occasional meetings with partners or officials at those levels.

The ideal candidate has experience working with congressional offices and presidential administrations, with an area of focus relevant to wildfire, including natural resources, emergency management, land management, or related issue areas. Experience collaborating with coalitions or multi-stakeholder policy groups is also preferred.

This position will work closely with the Managing Directors, reporting to the Managing Director for Policy, and will support advocacy, policy development, and partnerships to advance policy change.

The successful candidate will be adept at navigating work in a growing organization and remote work. This is a full-time, exempt position. This position is fully remote, though preference will be given to those candidates in the Washington, D.C. area as frequent travel to Washington, D.C. is required.

• Federal Advocacy & Engagement (50%)
  • Meet with members of Congress and congressional staff to discuss AWR's positions and recommendations
  • Engage directly with federal agencies (e.g., USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, FEMA, etc.), including program staff and leadership, to share AWR priorities and gather insights
  • Develop talking points, fact sheets, testimony, comment letters, and other advocacy materials for federal audiences
  • Represent AWR in federal briefings, hearings, round tables, and working groups
• Stakeholder & Partner Collaboration (25%)
  • Coordinate with partner organizations—including national NGOs, trade associations, academic institutions, and wildfire leaders—on federal policy initiatives
  • Support AWR's participation in coalitions and advisory groups
  • Work with outside contract lobbying firms and other consultants to advance AWR's policy goals.
• Internal Coordination & Support (15%)
  • Provide regular updates to the AWR team on federal legislative and regulatory developments
  • Collaborate with communications staff to prepare public-facing materials that reflect AWR's federal policy positions
  • Provide occasional public (e.g., in-person meetings and webinars) presentations to update partners on wildfire policy work
  • Support grant proposals, reporting, and funder updates related to federal policy work
• Federal Policy Monitoring & Analysis (10%)
  • Track federal legislation and administrative actions related to wildfire risk reduction, response, post-fire recovery, and related areas
  • Analyze federal policy proposals and prepare briefs outlining implications for AWR and its partners
  • Translate technical, scientific, and programmatic information into concise policy summaries for external stakeholders

Note:

These qualifications are guidelines, not hard and fast rules, so if you have 75% of the qualifications listed, we encourage you to apply. Experience can include paid and unpaid experience,…