Program Manager 1 Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ABOUT Resources Legacy Fund (RLF):
Resources Legacy Fund builds the architecture behind lasting environmental progress. From climate resilience to land and water conservation to community well-being, we help visionary ideas take shape-offering the steady support and strategic know-how to turn complex challenges into collective victories.
We deliver 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 also host fiscally sponsored projects that reach across the globe, reinforcing the efforts of change makers worldwide.
Addressing three interconnected crises - climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental injustice - requires creativity, collaboration, and fast reflexes. With deep operational expertise and the confidence of donors and partners, we enable lasting solutions to rise.
Position Summary:
About the Wildfire Program: RLF's Wildfire program supports policy change and increased public funding for wildfire resilience in communities and ecosystems across the Western United States. Our program engages in grantmaking, coalition-building, policy development, advocacy, and capacity-building. We work at the federal level and in California, Washington, Colorado, and Montana.
The Position: We are seeking a Program Manager to provide programmatic support across RLF's wildfire resilience initiatives in Washington and California. Program Manager duties span a range of activities, including implementing projects to support wildfire advocacy initiatives, coalition participation and management, grants and contracts administration, creating communications materials, coordinating meetings and convenings, and supporting program and strategic plan implementation.
This position reports directly to the Program Officer based in Washington State. This role will also provide direct support to the Program Officer in California for their work and initiatives, and will closely coordinate with another Program Manager who leads overall Wildfire Program Management and Development.
This role is remote with a preference for candidates located in the Pacific Time Zone. The Program Manager will be required to travel domestically to attend programmatic and team meetings and events (primarily in Washington and California) at least once a month. This is a full-time, exempt position.
Duties Include:
Program Management

• Maintain and update project management systems, records, and files to track milestones, deadlines, budgets, and program progress across CA and WA portfolios.
• Support Wildfire Program staff with strategic planning and program development.

Project Implementation Support
Support CA and WA program and project work plan implementation, including:

• Tracking work plan execution in coordination with Program Officers.
• Conducting policy research and analysis; preparing, reviewing, summarizing, and ensuring accuracy and quality of written products.
• Identifying potential grantees and contractors through research.
• Staying current on wildfire resilience issues, trends, and policy developments.
• Supporting and staffing policy coalitions; tracking relationships, partner assets, and contacts; representing RLF's wildfire team at in-person convenings as needed.
• Building relationships with agency representatives and decision-makers to advocate wildfire resilience initiatives.

Communications
Draft and manage communications systems and materials in support of CA and WA program areas, including:

• Internal and external materials such as reports, one-pagers, program and project summaries, presentations, and guides.

• A database of quotes, press, and other content to support program and project storytelling.
• Content updates on policy coalition website(s).
• Communications with coalition members through email or newsletters.

Meetings and Convenings
Coordinate logistics for virtual and in-person meetings, large convenings (75+ attendees), and team retreats, including:

• Scheduling and material preparation for routine meetings.
• Planning and execution of larger convenings and retreats.
• Notetaking and facilitation of meetings and coalitions where appropriate.

Grants and Contracts Management
Lead and support grantmaking and contract activities for CA and WA program areas, including:

• Serving as a project lead on discrete grants and contracts.

• Refining grantmaking strategies, designing grants and contracts, conducting due diligence, and developing proposals and scopes of work with grantees and contractors.
• Reviewing and providing feedback on colleague-managed funding proposals and grants.
• Coordinating grant reporting documentation, including maintaining data collection systems, synthesizing grantee and staff reports, and developing funder reports capturing project activities, progress, and outcomes.
• Supporting program budget management in coordination with staff.

Other

• Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

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 and lived experiences that helped you to build the competencies, knowledge, and skills needed for this position. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.
Issue Area Expertise

• Expertise (3+ years) in western wildfire resilience, conservation, climate change, or related fields.
• Commitment to and interest in learning policy development and advocacy skills. Previous experience with public policy and/or funding is a plus.
• Comfortable and eager to work within a complex policy, stakeholder, and political space, and familiarity with environmental, economic, and social challenges and opportunities facing the West.
• Commitment and ability to quickly develop expertise on community risk reduction and land management aspects of wildfire resilience.

Core Work Standards

• Strong work ethic, good judgment, attention to detail, and a consistent commitment to thoroughness and quality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, collaborate well with others, and can represent and speak on behalf of RLF with audiences including policymakers, donors, grantees, and consultants.

Program and Project Management and Organization

• Exceptional project management and organizational skills.
• Creative and flexible self-starter who can anticipate and respond to rapidly changing priorities, objectives, and situations.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and facilitate meetings. Experience planning and executing larger meetings (75+) a plus.
• Ability to work effectively within and across teams.
• Ability to develop timelines and track milestones.
• Experience with administering or managing grants or contracts is a plus.

Strategic and Analytical Skills

• Aptitude for implementing programmatic processes aligned with organizational policies and procedures.
• Comfort with identifying solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to develop, improve upon, and track programmatic progress and outcomes.

Communications and Writing

• Demonstrated experience managing and organizing extensive documentation and written information.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information from multiple sources into a lucid, cohesive written product, with an understanding of tone, style, and audience.
• Outstanding editing skills. Critical eye for grammar, punctuation, and syntax.

Commitment to Nondiscrimination:
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.
Compensation and Benefits:
The Program Manager starting salary is $92,000 - $107,000. Salary commensurate with related work experience and qualifications.
We have an alternate Fridays off work schedule and offer a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k plan with a 5% match, and generous paid time off. RLF also offers a technology allowance, student loan repayment assistance, the Calm app, mental health benefits and approximately 16 paid holidays per year.
To Apply:
Please provide a resume and cover letter explaining how your skills fit this position.
Recruitment Schedule
June 17, 2026 - Recruitment launches
July 10, 2026 - Application deadline (applications received after this date may still be considered)
July 20, 2026 - Screening Interviews
RLF participates in E-Verify, potential candidates can review the information here and here