Policy Associate, Wildfire

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, nonpartisan research, analysis, and public education on 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

AWR is seeking a curious and rigorous Policy Associate, Wildfire to strengthen the organization’s policy research and analysis capacity. This position focuses on researching wildfire, land management, emergency management, and related policy topics and developing white papers, issue briefs, and other written products that inform AWR’s positions and support the broader wildland fire community. The role also monitors and analyzes federal legislative, administrative, and regulatory developments, translating complex information into clear, useful analysis for AWR’s team and partners. The Policy Analyst may also periodically represent AWR in meetings with policymakers and coalition partners.

Government relations experience is welcomed but not required for this role. We are looking primarily for strong research, analytical, and writing skills, along with genuine curiosity about wildfire and natural resource policy.

This position will work closely with the Managing Director for Policy and will collaborate regularly with AWR’s policy, government relations, communications, and research staff to ensure written products are accurate, timely, and effective for their intended audiences.

The successful candidate will be adept at navigating work in a growing organization and remote work. This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Managing Director or Policy. The position is fully remote within the U.S., with occasional travel for team meetings, conferences, or partner convenings (estimated 4 to 6 trips per year).

Key Responsibilities

Policy Research & Writing (45%)

• Develop and manage the production and distribution of a variety of written products such as reports and issue briefs that influence the policy debate on key wildfire issues.
• Synthesize complex technical, scientific, and programmatic information into clear, accessible, and persuasive written materials.
• Conduct qualitative literature reviews and meta-analyses of existing research.
• In coordination with other AWR staff, assist in the development and assessment of new policy ideas and approaches and, as appropriate, provide requested technical assistance to external stakeholders on those ideas.
• Collaborate with communications staff to rapidly respond to policy developments as needed, including by drafting articles, fact sheets, memos, op-eds, and social media.
• Produce comment letters, testimony, and other written materials as needed.

Stakeholder & Internal Coordination (30%)

• Support in-person and virtual meetings (with occasional presentations) 
• Coordinate with partner organizations, coalitions, and subject matter experts to inform research and ensure AWR’s written products reflect current data and best practices.
• Contribute to internal strategy and advise senior staff on key insights by breaking down strategic questions into clear, actionable steps.

Policy Monitoring & Analysis (15%)

• Track federal legislation, regulatory actions, and administrative developments related to wildfire risk reduction, response, and post-fire recovery.
• Develop timely analyses of bills, proposed rules, and other policy developments, outlining implications for AWR and its partners.
• Communicate regular updates on legislative and regulatory developments to the full AWR team.

Strategy & Administrative Support (10%)

• Support the development of AWR’s overall policy research agenda and priorities.
• Maintain organized files, source documentation, and citation records so research products are well-supported and easy to update.
• Support grant proposals, reporting, and funder updates related to policy research work.

Requirements

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 qualitative research, analytical, and writing skills, including the ability to write for both technical and non-technical audiences across a range of products.
• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, allocate time, balance projects, and coordinate with internal and external partners.
• Ability to independently manage projects from conception to completion.
• Knowledge of, or strong interest in, wildfire, natural resources, emergency management, land management, or related policy areas.
• Strong attention to detail and sound judgment in fact-checking, sourcing, and citation.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to collaborate effectively across policy, government relations, communications, and research teams.
• Commitment to AWR’s mission and goals to improve wildfire response, recovery, and risk reduction. 

Ideal Qualifications

• Education or equivalent work experience in public policy, political science, environmental science, forestry, natural resources, journalism, law, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of experience in policy research, analysis, or related writing (e.g., in a think tank, government, academic, or nonprofit setting).
• Experience managing projects across multiple members of staff and teams. 
• Experience developing white papers, issue briefs, or similar research products for policy audiences.
• Excellent presentation and written and oral communication skills, with experience with public speaking and writing.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing with different audiences about complex policy issues.
• Established relationships with economic experts, policymakers, and advocates valued.
• Government relations, legislative, or advocacy experience is useful but not required.

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.

Benefits

The Policy Associate, Wildfire starting salary range is: $75,000 - $85,000 annually, salary commensurate with related work experience and qualifications.

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. 

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 October 5, 2026.  

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