Executive Director

The Shasta County Fire Safe Council (SCFSC) is seeking an experienced, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to serve as Executive Director and guide the organization in strengthening wildfire preparedness, mitigation, and community resilience throughout Shasta County.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director provides overall leadership and management of SCFSC and translates the organization's mission and strategic priorities into effective programs, projects, partnerships, and measurable results.

This is a hands-on leadership position with responsibility for day-to-day organizational operations as well as long-term growth and sustainability. The Executive Director will oversee multiple programs and projects, grants and contracts, finances and budgets, staff and contractors, community partnerships, resource development, and organizational systems.

The successful candidate will be a strong organizational leader who can manage multiple priorities, build effective relationships, develop resources, solve problems, and turn ideas into action.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Executive Director will:

• • Provide overall leadership, direction, and day-to-day management of SCFSC.
  • Implement the organization's mission, strategic priorities, and Board-approved goals.
  • Oversee multiple programs, projects, grants, contracts, and organizational initiatives from planning through completion.
  • Establish priorities, timelines, responsibilities, deliverables, and measurable outcomes.
  • Supervise, support, and develop staff, contractors, consultants, and volunteers.
  • Develop, manage, and monitor the annual organizational budget.
  • Oversee program, project, and grant budgets and ensure responsible stewardship of organizational resources.
  • Review financial reports and work with the Board, Treasurer, bookkeeper, accountant, and other financial professionals as appropriate.
  • Lead or support grant development, administration, reporting, compliance, and funding strategies.
  • Identify opportunities to diversify and strengthen organizational funding through grants, government funding, foundations, partnerships, contracts, fundraising, and other appropriate resources.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with government agencies, tribes, nonprofits, businesses, funders, community organizations, and other partners.
  • Represent SCFSC professionally at community meetings, public events, conferences, and partner meetings.
  • Strengthen organizational policies, procedures, systems, technology, communications, and accountability.
  • Monitor program and project performance and ensure commitments, deadlines, deliverables, and reporting requirements are met.
  • Identify challenges early, develop practical solutions, and move priorities forward.
  • Provide the Board with timely and transparent information regarding programs, finances, staffing, opportunities, challenges, risks, and organizational performance.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• • Experience leading and managing a nonprofit, public agency, community-based organization, or other mission-driven organization.
  • Experience managing people, programs, projects, budgets, and organizational resources.
  • Experience managing multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
  • Experience with grants, contracts, government funding, restricted funds, compliance, and financial reporting.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop, manage, and monitor organizational and project budgets.
  • Experience supervising and developing employees, contractors, consultants, and/or volunteers.
  • Strong written, verbal, presentation, and public communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with diverse stakeholders and organizations.
  • Experience working effectively with a Board of Directors or other governing body.
  • Ability to translate organizational priorities into practical plans, responsibilities, timelines, and measurable outcomes.
  • Strong organizational, problem-solving, decision-making, and project-management skills.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities and meet multiple deadlines.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
  • Ability to effectively use cloud-based systems, databases, project-management tools, virtual meeting platforms, and other technology necessary for nonprofit operations.
  • Ability to learn and effectively use new technology and systems as organizational needs evolve.

A bachelor's degree in nonprofit management, business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, natural resources, emergency management, environmental studies, or a related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant professional experience will be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference may be given to candidates with:

• • Experience in wildfire resilience, fuels reduction, Firewise communities, emergency preparedness, vegetation management, natural resource management, conservation, or a related field.
  • Experience managing grant-funded programs and projects.
  • Experience working with local, tribal, state, or federal agencies.
  • Knowledge of Shasta County and its communities.
  • Experience working with fire agencies, emergency management organizations, natural resource organizations, tribes, nonprofits, businesses, landowners, or community groups.
  • Experience with nonprofit fundraising, resource development, or organizational growth.
  • Established relationships with relevant community, government, nonprofit, natural resource, or funding partners.

LEADERSHIP PROFILE

SCFSC is seeking a collaborative, accountable, approachable, and solutions-oriented leader who combines strategic thinking with effective execution.

The successful candidate will:

• • Lead with integrity, professionalism, and transparency.
  • Build trust and productive working relationships.
  • Communicate clearly and respectfully with staff, Board members, partners, funders, and community members.
  • Empower staff while maintaining clear expectations and accountability.
  • Make sound decisions and take appropriate action.
  • Balance long-term organizational strategy with day-to-day operational needs.
  • Encourage collaboration, initiative, and professional development.
  • Bring people and organizations together around common goals.
  • Create a positive, respectful, and productive organizational culture.
  • Recognize and support the contributions of staff, volunteers, partners, and community members.

BOARD RELATIONS AND GOVERNANCE

The Executive Director will work closely with the Board of Directors to support effective governance and organizational leadership.

Responsibilities include:

• • Providing timely, accurate, and transparent information to the Board.
  • Preparing reports, recommendations, budgets, and other materials needed for effective Board decision-making.
  • Implementing Board-approved policies and strategic priorities.
  • Keeping the Board informed of organizational accomplishments, challenges, financial conditions, risks, and opportunities.
  • Maintaining appropriate boundaries between Board governance and day-to-day organizational management.
  • Developing and maintaining a productive and respectful working relationship with Board members.

COMMUNITY AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

The Executive Director serves as a key representative of SCFSC and will:

• • Represent SCFSC professionally within the community and with regional, state, and federal partners.
  • Build relationships with fire agencies, government agencies, tribes, emergency management organizations, natural resource organizations, nonprofits, businesses, funders, landowners, and community groups.
  • Communicate SCFSC's mission, programs, accomplishments, and needs to a variety of audiences.
  • Develop partnerships that strengthen programs, expand resources, and increase community impact.

RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

The Executive Director will play an important role in maintaining and strengthening the resources necessary to fulfill SCFSC's mission.

Responsibilities include:

• • Identifying and pursuing appropriate grant and funding opportunities.
  • Leading or supporting grant applications, administration, and reporting.
  • Developing relationships with foundations, government agencies, businesses, donors, and funding partners.
  • Exploring diverse and sustainable funding strategies.
  • Supporting fundraising and donor engagement activities.
  • Communicating the organization's impact and funding needs effectively.