The Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council (WPFC) is seeking a dynamic Executive Director to build upon our successes and ultimately increase the state’s capacity for safe and effective prescribed fire. They will accomplish this advancement by expanding our programs and fundraising efforts to facilitate the growth needed in an already active and productive, largely volunteer organization.

To apply, please send a letter of interest, resume and 3 professional references to: info@prescribedfire.org. The hiring committee will begin evaluating materials on 1/23/26. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Organization:
WPFC's mission is to promote the safe and effective use of prescribed fire in Wisconsin. As the only organization dedicated to increasing the amount of prescribed fire in the state, we work to overcome barriers by educating practitioners, promoting professionalism, enabling landowners, and enhancing the public perception of prescribed fire.

Wisconsin’s native species and ecosystems evolved with fire for thousands of years but have suffered over the past 200 years as fire has been removed from the landscape. Using prescribed burning to return fire to the land is critical for the conservation, maintenance, and restoration of our natural communities and the ecosystem services those communities provide.

Working with partners at the regional, state and local levels, WPFC is actively expanding the state’s capacity for prescribed fire by training all levels of practitioners from private landowners through professional practitioners at the crew member, squad boss and burn boss levels; and by working with the WI DNR to certify professional burn bosses. The WPFC strives for a Wisconsin with a strong culture of safe prescribed fire and the infrastructure capable of meeting the goal of one million acres burned annually. 

The Role:
The Executive Director is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of day-to-day operations and is overseen by the Board of Directors with the board Chair acting as the direct supervisor. Responsibilities include balancing organizational management, management of WPFC staff, administrative work, project management, fundraising, budget management, and the handling of public relations. The Executive Director will also be responsible for grant writing and for ensuring grant agreements and contracts are implemented successfully and within budget.

Compensation:
This position has the flexibility to schedule workdays as deemed appropriate but is to be generally available between the weekday hours of 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM. Evening and weekend meetings and events are occasionally necessary. Occasional overnight travel will be required for in-person events.

This is a remote position which will be based out of a home office. The Executive Director must be located within the State of Wisconsin, preferably within 150 miles of Madison.

This is a full-time, salaried position with a pay range of $65,000 to $75,000, commensurate with experience, and the position offers a generous benefits package.

Please note that funding for this position is based on membership, grant, and contract revenue. The Executive Director will be responsible for securing continued funding with support of staff, volunteer board members, and council members.

Responsibilities:

• 40% - Strategic Leadership
  • Advance and guide the current strategic vision for the organization.
  • Improve and expand existing outreach activities.
  • Expand creative methods to increase engagement of current members and
    recruitment of new members.
  • Coordinate and promote outreach, training, and other member service events with
    the assistance of the relevant sub-committees.
  • Promote existing member services and ensure accessibility, quality, and regular
    delivery of these services to members.
  • Engage with WPFC board in evolving future strategic plans.
• 40% - Fundraising
  • Expand and evolve fundraising actions, including nurturing and cultivating donors.
  • Establish and grow partnerships with other aligned organizations to further the goals of the WPFC.
  • Write grant and contract proposals.
  • Supervise the creation and delivery of reports related to accomplishments and required grant reporting.
  • Establish a regular cadence of new funding discovery.
• 20% - Operations Management
  • Plan, organize and oversee the organization's processes to maximize efficiency.
  • Manage budgets, bookkeeping and accounting, payroll, payment of bills, and grant administration.
  • Respond to regular inquiries the WPFC receives.
  • Attend Board of Directors meetings monthly for updates and direction
  • Determine the need for and the capacity to hire and oversee potential future additional employees, develop position descriptions, and lead hiring processes.
  • Provide leadership and direction to other employees as their direct supervisor.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• 4-year college degree.
• Working knowledge of prescribed fire operations in Wisconsin.
• Comfortable being the face of prescribed fire in Wisconsin and of the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council.
• Demonstrated evidence of successfully completed community education, volunteer management, grant writing, and fundraising programs.
• Experience managing budgets and financial processes, including a familiarity with accounting software.
• Demonstrated success building and sustaining donor relationships and securing significant gifts.
• History of working with federal, state, NGO, private landowners, and private industry partners.
• Experience working with Board of Directors.
• Ability to administer a growing organization.
• Relationship builder that is adept at establishing and fostering partnerships and donor relations.
• Responsive to internal and external parties via email, phone, writing, and in-person
• Ability to travel statewide with own vehicle (mileage, lodging, and other travel expenses reimbursed).
• Creative problem-solving experience.
• Ability to work with partners to find shared goals and work cooperatively to achieve those goals.
• Desire to seek and implement additional opportunities for growth.
• Ability to work independently towards established goals, often with little direction.
• Alignment with the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council’s mission and vision statements.