Job Type: Permanent
Salary Details: $60,000-$70,000

Since its founding in 2020, The Center for Responsible Forestry (CRF) has been working to stop the clearcutting of the last remaining structurally complex, carbon dense legacy forests on forestlands in Western Washington, and to prevent them from being converted to single-species commercial tree plantations. We work with impacted local communities, county governments, and state policymakers to advocate for the adoption of state forest policies and practices grounded in forest ecology and conservation. CRF’s primary strategies include policy change advocacy, public education, documenting mature forests under threat, and supporting local grassroots campaigns that contribute to our overarching mission.

We currently have 1 full time and 4 part time staff, as well as dozens of committed volunteers across Western WA. In the short time since CRF began, we have conducted numerous successful regional grassroots campaigns to stop some legacy forests from being logged. In April 2023, CRF and our partner organizations successfully secured funding from the State Legislature to protect 2,000 acres of mature legacy forests. The founder and former executive director left the organization in December 2022, and an interim executive director has been working closely with CRF’s Board of Directors to continue our critically important work.  

About the Position:

CRF seeks a mission-driven leader who shares our vision of securing the permanent conservation of the remaining mature legacy forests on state lands in Western Washington for climate and ecological benefits. We also advocate for the increased use of ecological forest management practices on state lands. To accomplish this mission,we seek a leader who has knowledge and demonstrated ability in the management of an organization that promotes change in forest management to meet the needs of our rapidly changing climate. They must have experience that has demonstrated strong leadership and who values collaboration, and brings the passion, skills, and enthusiasm needed to lead our 5-person team and work with our environmental partners across Western WA. 

The Executive Director reports to CRF’s Board of Directors. In partnership with staff and the Board of Directors, the Executive Director updates and implements the organization’s strategic vision and plan. The Executive Director plays a pivotal role in representing and communicating CRF’s vision, values, and strategies effectively to our supporters, funders, partners, and government entities. We seek an experienced candidate who values environmental protection, and who is committed to centering environmental justice at the intersection of forest ecology, climate change, access, and equity.

Key Leadership Qualities:

  • Movement building: Commitment to coalition building and supporting a collective action plan to grow a statewide movement.
  • Equity-focused: Ensures strategies produce equitable outcomes, and ensure equitable engagement.
  • Politically savvy: Deep understanding of policy-making systems in Washington State and how to influence them.
  • Project management: Supports implementation of strategic plans, holding team members and collaborators accountable for action commitments.
  • Inclusive culture builder: Effective communicator and trusted facilitator who engages, motivates, celebrates, and resolves differences and conflicts among diverse partners and within CRF.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Board Engagement: Cultivate and implement a shared organizational vision and mission among the Board and staff. As a key leader for CRF, elevate our vision and mission to inspire and engage supporters, Board members, staff and other stakeholders; and raise CRF’s profile through relationships with members, other nonprofits, federal, state, local, and Tribal government agencies, community leaders, foundations, donors, and businesses. Work with the Board and staff to develop, review and update as needed CRF’s Strategic Plan and annual work plans.

Program Oversight: Ensure the development and implementation of strategies necessary to maintain a collaborative, sustainable, inclusive and supportive environment for staff and volunteers. Oversee the development and implementation of legislative and advocacy priorities and activities, training and capacity building opportunities, including communicating these priorities to our network of supporters and partner organizations. Oversee communication strategies to inform government officials, organizations, the media, and the public about CRF’s priorities, and to amplify CRF’s work and collective impact.

Fundraising & Resource Development: Ensure CRF has the financial resources to advance its mission and goals through cultivation of new funding sources, timely foundation grant applications and reports, individual donor stewardship, fundraising events, and other creative fundraising activities.

Fiscal & Operational Oversight: Prepare and track the annual budget. Monitor all financial management systems and provide regular, accurate reporting to the Board. Work with CRF’s financial manager to prepare all required tax filings, audits, and reports, and ensure the organization complies with all applicable laws and regulations. Create and implement strategies and policies necessary to maintain a sustainable, inclusive and supportive work environment for all staff. Ensure effective administration of all programs. Establish and track key metrics to monitor progress against goals and achievement of results.

External Affairs & Relationships: Actively partner with and seek collaborative coalitions with organizations and alliances with similar or complementary strategic goals, in service of CRF’s mission. Provide policy and strategic leadership to help collaborative efforts succeed. Strategically reach out to communities and organizations to build a coordinated, grassroots movement for mature forest conservation, ecological forestry, and advancing environmental and climate equity and justice.

Preferred Experience and Core Competencies:

  • Passion for CRF’s mission.
  • Knowledge of forest ecology, forest conservation, and state forest policy.
  • Proven ability to inspire, articulate vision, and spark engagement with enthusiasm.
  • Proven nonprofit leadership and effective staff and program management skills, including: experience managing organizational change; strong financial planning skills; ability to retain, motivate and attract strong and creative staff; experience in strategy as well as execution of programs to meet goals; demonstrated ability to work effectively with the Board of Directors.
  • Nonprofit fundraising success and demonstrated ability to establish and manage relationships with major individual and institutional donors. 
  • Ability to establish and manage relationships with nonprofit organizations and alliances, government agencies, the media, and volunteers for the benefit and support of CRF’s mission.
  • Personal and professional understanding of how justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion play a central role in both advancing equity within an organization and in creating a more just and inclusive environmental movement.
  • Strong and effective oral and written communication skills with a high degree of emotional intelligence, humility, and compassion.
  • At least two years of relevant nonprofit leadership experience, and a degree or significant work experience in a field related to CRF’s goals. 

How to Apply & Job Details

Please submit a resume and cover letter indicating your specific interest in this position. In addition, you can submit additional materials such as published work or work samples. Send to brel@c4rf.org  with the subject line: LAST NAME: Executive Director application. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.