Senior Government Relations Specialist - Alliance for Wildfire Resilience
About The Position
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.
Requirements
- 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.
- 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.
Responsibilities
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Benefits
- comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k) 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
51-100 employees
