Climate &amp; Wildfire Institute (CWI) works at the intersection of policy, practice, and research to accelerate solutions to climate and wildfire. We are innovators and problem-solvers, working at the cutting edge of and in close partnership with public, private, and community partners as well as academic institutions. We develop practices that reduce the societal and environmental risks of wildfire that are just, equitable, and inclusive.

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CWI is a 501(c)(3) in California and functions as a consortium model, working to bridge research, practice, and policy for expedient solutions to the wildfire crisis.

<h4>CWI DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT</h4>LOCATION: California, other Western locations will be considered.REPORTS TO:&nbsp; Executive Director (ED).APPLICATION WINDOW: Until position is filled.AREA:&nbsp; Mostly California, with planned expansion through the West. Some travel required.&nbsp;TYPE OF POSITION:&nbsp;Full-time, permanent, exempt.SALARY + BENEFITS: Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience (range: $120,000-$140,000 per year), with generous benefits package. Benefits include PTO, paid holidays, retirement plan, and medical, vision, and dental coverage.&nbsp;ANTICIPATED START: Immediately.<h4>OVERVIEW | CLIMATE &amp; WILDFIRE INSTITUTE</h4>Climate &amp; Wildfire Institute (CWI) works at the intersection of policy, practice, and research to accelerate solutions to climate and wildfire. We are innovators and problem-solvers, working at the cutting edge of and in close partnership with public, private, and community partners as well as academic institutions. We develop practices that reduce the societal and environmental risks of wildfire that are just, equitable, and inclusive.&nbsp;<h4>POSITION OVERVIEW</h4>CWI is seeking our first Deputy Director of Development to build and implement our fundraising systems from the ground up for our organization of more than $3 million annual operating budget. Our ideal candidate is an experienced, flexible team player and independent doer with familiarity of the climate philanthropic landscape and embodies the values of collaborative, courageous leadership. You’ll report directly to the ED and serve as a thought partner to support organizational growth in the coming years.&nbsp; As part of the Leadership Team, you will establish and build CWI’s fundraising capacity and develop realistic revenue goals that can be met or exceeded to ensure CWI’s long-term sustainability. For this position, work in the environmental and/or climate change sector and an understanding of climate change issues is preferable. This position is currently an individual contributor, with expectations to grow a development team over time.<h4>PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES</h4>The position includes the following primary responsibilities that will create a “runway” for success.<h5>Development Planning + Implementation&nbsp;</h5>In collaboration with the ED, the Leadership Team, and the Board of Directors, you will create and implement the organization’s first high level and comprehensive 1-3 year development plan. This will include reviewing and analyzing CWI’s current financial state and intended future state; assessing the organization’s strategic goals and objectives and how those map back to revenue goals; defining the structures and processes needed to set up a streamlined and successful development team; developing, integrating, and refining organizational messages for donor and institutional outreach; and creating an annual calendar of development activities.&nbsp;<h5>Development of Inclusive Systems and Processes</h5>You’ll innovate creative and streamlined systems and processes for successful and efficient fundraising. This will include curating and managing multiple systems to track and retain individual donor and institutional relationships as well as clear communications systems between key leadership and the development team as it grows. Working collaboratively with the team, you will facilitate inclusive decision-making processes and collaboratively test and adjust systems as needed to meet overall needs.<h5>Institutional Giving - Government and Philanthropic Grants</h5>With deep knowledge of and potential connections to the foundation world, you will support the ED in building and maintaining institutional donor relationships. Familiarity with philanthropic as well as government grant processes - from prospecting to grant writing, grant awards and tracking&nbsp; - is critical. Impeccable relationship stewardship is even more critical. With the ability to collaboratively manage and construct complex government grant applications, you will ensure grant proposals - potentially developed with other partners - will be submitted and awarded.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h5>Individual Donor Outreach, Cultivation, and Stewardship</h5>Cultivating individual donor relationships will set up the conditions for diversified revenue growth. You will provide ongoing support to the ED in donor outreach strategies, cultivating ongoing relationships and ensuring all donor information is tracked accurately so relationships can be maintained and leveraged. You will serve as the ED’s “guide-by-the-side” in developing new relationships, and supporting her efforts to secure large donations while providing ongoing learning and development resources to the ED, Board, and Leadership Team.&nbsp;<h5>Strategic Thought Leadership&nbsp;</h5>Your efforts will create the conditions for success that will allow our ED to focus on topline development decisions and relationship-building with potential foundations and donors. A knowledge of ongoing development trends and an understanding of shifts in philanthropic giving will be important in adjusting development strategies over time.&nbsp;<h5>Board Engagement</h5>You will work collaboratively with the ED to present a Development Board report for each Board meeting that highlights a development strategy aligned with the organization’s overall mission and goals, working with the Board to activate them in that plan, when necessary. As a thought leader, you will work closely with the ED to advocate for short and long-term development decisions that will inform the Board’s understanding of development processes and strategies. You will also lead the effort to establish annual Board contributions and provide the Board with the support needed to leverage their funder connections.&nbsp;<h5>Budgeting/Finance</h5>In collaboration with the ED and the Board, you will support the annual budgeting process, including how projects, programs, and operational revenue goals are integrated into a full budget that is attainable. You will track funds over time, and make assessments about how much is to be raised annually, considering what funds have been secured and/or are expected with realistic growth goals.&nbsp;<h5>Organization Development&nbsp;</h5>An understanding of intersecting components of non-profit and organizational life will be important to collaboratively build and support CWI’s growth over time. This includes a willingness to contribute and support CWI’s organizational growth.&nbsp;<h4>QUALIFICATIONS</h4>As the Deputy Director of Development, you must have 8-10 years of proven development experience (preferably in the environmental/climate change space). Concrete evidence of interacting with institutional and individual donors and a track record of securing funds from private foundations and public agencies is required.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h5>Systems Thinking/Knowledge of External Environment</h5><ul><li>Have a deep understanding of the nonprofit lifecycle and how to create and implement development strategies that will evolve CWI from the start-up phase into ongoing growth and maturity for sustained success.&nbsp;</li><li>Have a systems approach to organizational growth - including an understanding of how strategy, structure, process, and culture informs fund development and vice versa.&nbsp;</li><li>Understand the foundation environment, the overall development space, and preferably climate change/environmental issues to increase the chance of securing project and operations funding. Have the ability to adjust strategies based on shifts in the external environment.&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Fundraising Management Skills&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Have proven fundraising and management skills, including a deep understanding of the processes related to applying for, securing, and maintaining philanthropic and government grants. Manage complex government grant processes and write grants as necessary.</li><li>Have experience hiring, recruiting, and managing a fundraising team.</li><li>Oversee, monitor, and analyze fundraising data as well as tracking and retention systems and make adjustments as needed. Be detail oriented.&nbsp;</li></ul><h5>Creative Risk-Taker</h5><ul><li>Be confident in domain expertise and openly share what does (and doesn’t) need to be developed and implemented; be willing to take risks and challenge traditional thinking or perceived knowledge about fundraising, including being able to identify organizational “blind spots” and offer potential solutions.</li><li>Have a high level of professional experience in managing ambiguous and complex situations, as well as collaborative, institutional partnerships.&nbsp;</li><li>Based on expertise, support CWI’s leadership and Board as necessary about fundraising expectations and accountability.</li></ul><h5>Relational</h5><ul><li>Be a team player, leading from a place of equity and inclusion.</li><li>Provide proactive collaboration and networking skills across diverse stakeholder groups.</li><li>Have comfort with and success in cultivating and building donor/philanthropic relationships, with an established process for doing so.</li></ul><h5>Communications</h5><ul><li>Ability to attract and sell CWI’s brand value to donor and foundation prospects and clearly communicate complex programs and impacts.</li></ul><ul><li>Have excellent grant writing and presentation skills as well as an understanding of how to create compelling messages for potential donors.</li><li>Have an understanding of and experience with testing key messages with funders (and adjust development communications strategies accordingly).</li></ul><h5>Technical&nbsp;</h5><ul><li>Ease in using Google Workspace/G Suite.&nbsp;</li><li>Familiarity with project management programs.</li><li>Proficiency in using donor management software and CRM systems.</li></ul><h4>APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS</h4><ul><li>Cover letter that illustrates an overall understanding of fund development and implementation and how your experience would benefit CWI.</li><li>Resume that includes tangible accomplishments and impact.</li><li>Three references required (please provide name, email address, and phone number).</li><li>Cover letter, resume, and references should be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://forms.monday.com/forms/f9c5e8e617d6f69bda1ca5a111a68c8d?r=use1">submitted here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/f9c5e8e617d6f69bda1ca5a111a68c8d?r=use1</a>.</li><li>NOTE: If you are selected for the final candidate pool, we will require work samples, including but not limited to: writing samples; a sample fund development plan; and samples of funder pitches.&nbsp;</li></ul>CWI is dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We encourage and welcome applicants who are BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. Successful candidates will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing DEI both internally and with our partners and funders. If you’re excited about this position but are uncertain if your experience aligns with the full qualifications listed above, we still encourage you to apply or reach out to discuss. You might just have the qualities we’re looking for!&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&nbsp;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.Any questions? Feel free to reach out at <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:recruitment@climateandwildfire.org">recruitment@climateandwildfire.org</a>.

Deputy Director of Development

POSITION OVERVIEWPosition title:&nbsp;Deputy Director for Programs and PartnershipsSalary:&nbsp;Competitive and commensurate with experience, with full benefits package&nbsp;&nbsp;(Range: $120,000 to $140,000 per year)&nbsp;Percent time:&nbsp;100%Anticipated start:&nbsp;ASAPPosition duration:&nbsp;PermanentAPPLICATION WINDOWOpen date:&nbsp;October 2024Final date:&nbsp;Open until filled Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until filled.POSITION DESCRIPTION<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://climateandwildfire.org">Climate and Wildfire Institute</a> (CWI) is seeking to hire a Deputy Director for Programs and Partnerships (DD) to work closely with the Executive Director, staff, and Board of Directors to build a world-class consortium focused on identifying the best available science and technology and connecting it to the policy and practice that shapes our landscape. This outward facing position requires a strategic mind to identify key areas in need of impact and leverages CWI’s expertise, as well as that of our partners. The DD will oversee research and in-field programs, manage relationships with CWI affiliates, and measure the impact of CWI programs on the ground.&nbsp;&nbsp;CWI seeks an experienced leader with relevant expertise in integrated wildland fire management (including broad knowledge of interrelationships between local, state, and federal land/fire management agencies; wildland fire suppression, management, and resilience policies and practices; intentional and beneficial fire; and, wildfire data and technology), proven ability in Tribal relations, knowledge of climate change issues and impact, and managerial experience. Familiarity and comfort with working with university researchers and government officials, as well as experience in movement and/or coalition building is also highly desired. The DD reports to the Executive Director.&nbsp; As part of CWI’s leadership team, this DD will contribute to the management of the organization including relationships with the Board. We are a growing organization and, as such, there is ample opportunity to shape this role and the future of our programs. The full vision, direction, and scope of CWI will result from the combined efforts of the Board and the ED.CWI is committed to working in close partnership with public, private, and academic stakeholders across California, Nevada, and the American West to develop practices that reduce the societal and environmental risks of wildfire in a just, equitable, and inclusive manner.&nbsp; This position requires a leader who can foster growth, function as part of a small leadership team, and help develop and manage CWI programs and staff.CWI is a 501(c)(3) in California and functions as a consortium model, working to bridge research, practice, and policy for expedient solutions to the wildfire crisis. We currently have and are working to expand relationships with faculty and researchers at the University of California, University of Nevada, Reno, California State University, University of San Francisco, Berkeley Lab, the US Forest Service, CAL FIRE, a number of California Tribes, and other agencies and institutions.Primary Responsibilities:<ul><li>Identify key areas of strategic focus for CWI by establishing relationships with academia, practitioners, and policy makers, and working as part of the CWI leadership team, including the Board, to design a research program that furthers the goals of CWI.</li><li>Create and oversee an annual portfolio of program work for CWI.&nbsp;</li><li>Build, manage, and mentor Program and Project staff (this position currently has two direct reports) as our portfolio grows.</li><li>Work closely with the Deputy Director of Development and Executive Director to steward funder relationships and bring in new funding sources for programs.&nbsp;</li><li>Identify, measure, and track the impact of CWI programs.</li><li>Manage existing CWI contracts for project work.</li><li>Identify financial resources to support the portfolio and, as appropriate, hire staff to deliver projects within CWI.</li><li>Build strategic relationships with research institutions, funders, and other external stakeholders complementary to CWI mission.</li><li>Maintain relationships with local, state, and federal policymakers. Identify how CWI contributes to shaping policy.</li><li>Track and, where appropriate, contribute to key state and federal planning or policy efforts.</li></ul>General responsibilities:<ul><li>Effectively represent the CWI among stakeholders and community members.</li><li>Organize, motivate, and mentor internal team leaders to strategically grow the impact of the CWI.</li><li>Provide leadership that is inclusive, transparent, and empowering in a manner that supports and guides the mission.</li><li>Demonstrates flexibility and ability to be nimble in taking on new challenges as the organization grows.</li><li>Foster a collaborative working environment, encourage professional development, and champion accountability amongst staff.</li></ul>&nbsp;QUALIFICATIONSBasic qualifications&nbsp;(required at time of application)<ul><li>Candidate must hold a bachelor's degree, or equivalent international degree at time of application.</li><li>At least 8 years of professional experience in climate or wildfire related science, research, public policy, programs, or other transferable field.</li><li>Experience building and leading programs in a related field.</li><li>Have a highly strategic mind with the ability to identify worthwhile opportunities.</li><li>A passion for CWI’s mission.</li><li>Budget or fiscal experience.</li><li>Outstanding communication skills and ability to work well with staff, community, and a diverse set of partners.</li><li>Experience and efficacy in collaborative team management.&nbsp;</li><li>Be well-versed and practiced in centering work and strategy on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.</li></ul>Preferred qualifications<ul><li>Ability to work with people from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and policy perspectives.</li><li>Experience working with multi-faceted programs and partnerships.</li><li>Experience with open data management, data analysis, and translation for public consumption.</li><li>Ability to prioritize and function both independently and collaboratively.</li><li>Experience working with governmental agencies.</li><li>Experience and knowledge of best practices in movement- and/or coalition-building.</li><li>Graduate degree and/or experience in directing academic research.</li><li>Located in California or Northern Nevada.</li></ul>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&nbsp; or reach out to us to discuss. You might just be the right candidate for this or other roles.APPLICATION REQUIREMENTSDocument requirements<ul><li>Resume&nbsp;</li><li>Cover Letter</li><li>Three required (please provide name, email address, and phone number)</li></ul>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.&nbsp;All letters will be treated as confidential per California state law.&nbsp;Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. CWI will not sponsor applicants for work visas at this time.JOB LOCATIONFully remote - California preferred -&nbsp; with some travel in California and Nevada.&nbsp;HOW TO APPLYPlease <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://forms.monday.com/forms/0965101c10d09f1d96aecd5e0d6d1170?r=use1">submit application documents here: https://forms.monday.com/forms/0965101c10d09f1d96aecd5e0d6d1170?r=use1</a>. Feel free to email <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:recruitment@climateandwildfire.org">recruitment@climateandwildfire.org</a> with any questions.

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