Senior Government Relations Specialist - Alliance for Wildfire Resilience

About the Alliance for Wildfire Resilience

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 https://resourceslegacyfund.org. 

About the Opportunity

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. 

Key Responsibilities

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, roundtables, 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.

Requirements

Qualifications

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, including volunteer work that helped you to build the competencies, knowledge, and skills needed for this position. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.

Key Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information for policymakers.
• Knowledge of wildfire, natural resources, emergency management, land management, commerce committees, or related federal policy areas.
• Strong relationship-building skills with bipartisan and cross-sector partners.
• Skill in legislative advocacy, negotiation, and persuasion.
• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to form and maintain relationships with government officials and government entities; ability to maintain respectful and appropriate professional demeanor at all times.

Ideal Qualifications

• Education or equivalent work experience in public policy, political science, environmental science, forestry, natural resources, law, or a related field.
• 4–7 years of experience in federal government relations, congressional affairs, or federal policy analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to engage effectively with federal agencies and Congress.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination, where all team members feel valued, respected, and included. We know that our work is enriched by the varied voices and perspectives of every staff and board member, so we are committed to making an earnest effort to recruit, welcome, train, develop, and retain talented individuals from all backgrounds. We believe that a welcoming culture expands our creative capacity to do our work and achieve greater outcomes for people and the natural world.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and cover letter - please be sure to address your experiences with bipartisan relationship building, any relevant subject area expertise, and developing policy materials for decision-makers.
Applicants encouraged to apply by March 2, 2026. 

RLF participates in E-Verify, potential candidates can review the information here and here.  

Benefits

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $135,000 – $145,000 annually, commensurate with experience.

Working Conditions: Work may occur outside of regularly scheduled hours and will require frequent in-person meetings with decision-makers in Washington, D.C. 

We have an alternate Fridays off work schedule (employees work 40 hours one week, 32 hours the next week). The position has a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401{k) plan with a 5% match, and generous paid time off. Benefits also include a technology allowance, student loan repayment assistance, the Calm app, mental health benefits, and approximately 17 paid holidays per year.