Executive Director, Climate and Wildfire Institute

POSITION OVERVIEW

Position title: Executive Director,
Climate and Wildfire Institute

Salary: Competitive and commensurate with
experience, with full benefits package

Salary range: $160,000 to $180,000

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Ideally, no later than
September 1, 2024 (negotiable)

Position duration: Permanent

Location: Remote with an expectation to reside
in California. Frequent travel required.

APPLICATION WINDOW

Open date: April 15, 2024

Final date (extended): June 3, 2024

Applications will continue to be accepted after this date,
but those received after this date will only be considered if the
position has not yet been filled.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Climate and
Wildfire Institute (CWI) is searching for an Executive Director
(ED) to lead our rapidly growing boundary organization focused on
identifying and implementing the best available science,
technology, and policy to address the challenges posed by wildfire
and climate change. CWI is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to
working in close partnership with public, private, and academic
stakeholders across California, Nevada, and worldwide to develop
practices that reduce the societal and environmental impacts of
wildfire and climate warming in an equitable and just
manner. 

CWI seeks a proven leader with relevant expertise and an
entrepreneurial perspective. This position requires a
mission-driven ED who can harness the necessary scientific and
technological talent as well as the financial resources to address
pressing environmental challenges. The successful candidate will be
skilled in developing and executing strategic plans, building
consortia, empowering staff, and enabling diverse teams of experts
to effect change. This position is responsible for overseeing the
administration, programs, and strategic direction of the
organization. This position reports to the Board of Directors and
is available for immediate hire.  

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Leadership

Guide CWI’s mission with
forward-thinking leadership centered on advancing innovation and
excellence within the organization.
Collaborate with the Board of
Directors, staff, and institutional partners to establish and
implement strategic goals, objectives, and operational plans.
Cultivate a collaborative work
environment that promotes professional growth, accountability, and
a sense of ownership among staff.
Articulate the mission and programs
clearly and effectively to all constituents.
Champion policies and practices that
promote equity and inclusion.

Management

Oversee all aspects of staff
management, including hiring, development, performance evaluation,
and compensation, ensuring a motivated and skilled team.
Guarantee consistent advancement
towards CWI’s mission and enhance programmatic impact through
focused oversight and strategic planning.
Maintain open and effective
communication with the Board, attending all meetings and providing
regular updates on performance and financial activities.
Manage the organization’s finances,
including budgeting, financial planning, and reporting, to ensure
fiscal health and transparency.
Identify and mitigate organizational
risks, ensuring the implementation of effective risk management
strategies to protect the organization’s interests and
sustainability.

Growth

Build a consortia model of
institutional effectiveness that shares knowledge and builds
capacity.
Secure the organization’s health and
sustainability by developing and executing a fundraising strategy
to support the mission.
Promote a team culture among staff,
Board members, and partners. 
Take an innovative and
entrepreneurial approach to the challenges posed by wildfire and
climate change. 

The statements provided above aim to outline the overall scope
and complexity of the tasks expected from the individual in this
role. They are not meant to encompass every responsibility, duty,
or skill essential for the position.

QUALIFICATIONS

Basic qualifications (required at time of
application):

The candidate must hold a bachelor’s
degree, or equivalent international degree, in a relevant field at
the time of application.
Experience as a successful leader of
an organization working in the environmental arena, such as climate
change and/or wildfire.
Experience managing a staff.
Demonstrated ability in designing,
implementing, and evaluating programs that deliver on
organizational goals. 
Budget oversight experience.
Demonstrated experience building
communities and coalitions.

Preferred qualifications:

The candidate holds an advanced
degree in a relevant field of study (e.g., climate science,
environmental studies, or public policy).
Demonstrated knowledge of or
experience working in the non-profit sector. 
At least seven years of professional
experience in senior management/leadership roles. 
Experience and knowledge at the
intersection of the science and technology relevant to climate
change and wildfire.
Experience spearheading and leading
diverse, collaborative efforts. Ability to work with people from a
variety of disciplinary backgrounds and policy perspectives.
Experience in conducting or applying
research towards policy development, grant writing, strategic
planning, and/or program development. 
Ability to prioritize and function
both independently and collaboratively.
Experience with building partnerships
with local, state, or federal government agencies.

Experience tells us that people within historically marginalized
communities, including women and people of color, may be less
likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single
qualification. CWI is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive,
and authentic workplace. If you’re excited about this position but
are concerned that your experience doesn’t align perfectly with
every qualification within the job description, we encourage you to
apply or reach out to us to discuss. You might just be the right
candidate for this or other roles.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Please send the following application materials:

Resume
Cover Letter
Three (3) professional references
(contact information only)

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values at CWI. Our
excellence can only be fully realized by staff who share our
commitment to these values. Successful candidates will demonstrate
evidence of a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and
inclusion. CWI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment
without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation,
gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected
veteran status. All letters will be treated as confidential per
California state law. Applicants must be legally authorized to work
in the United States; CWI will not sponsor applicants for work
visas at this time.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application materials
here: 

https://forms.monday.com/forms/d46542b6d293a4b136a25d9f9c37dd98?r=use1

Questions can be submitted to: [email protected].