Description

Description:

Wildfire is Arizona’s statewide leader in advancing energy affordability, reducing household energy burden, and improving long-term cooling resilience for low-income families. As extreme heat and rising utility costs place increasing pressure on vulnerable households, Wildfire works to strengthen home energy efficiency, enhance access to affordable cooling, and expand programs that support long-term household stability. 

The Heat Resilience & Energy Efficiency Manager will lead Wildfire’s major household energy initiatives, including the Heat Relief Initiative and COOL Campaign, while also developing a broader portfolio of energy-efficiency and heat-resiliency programs that help low-income households reduce energy consumption and utility costs over time.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties: 

1. Lead Wildfire’s Heat Relief Initiative 

The Emergency Heat ReliefInitiativeis a response to the state of emergency declared by the governorof Arizonain 2023. It is the result of fundraising efforts by Wildfire and generous donations from utility companies, foundations, HVACcontractorsand others throughout the state of Arizona. The funds aredistributed to Wildfire’s community partners and utilized forrepairs,replacements,or new installationsofHVACunits in the homes of vulnerable Arizona families. 

• Administer program funds and contractual agreements with partner organizations to ensure quality program performance and the achievement of desired outcomes 
• Update program guidelines as necessary to meet the demands of changing landscapes and various funder requirements 
• Provide training and technical assistance to partner organization staff, regarding program implementation and policies 
• Act as the primary liaison for funders regarding contract deliverables, trends in service delivery, and programmatic updates 
• Prepare program budgets for organizational review and approval and manage the administration of approved budgets 
• Participate in identifying and applying for grants, when appropriate. 
• Track program outcomes for reports to funders, improvements to existing practices and policies, and to support Wildfire’s advocacy for utility affordability and efficiency investments 

2. Manage and Expand the COOL Campaign

• Oversee campaign strategy, collaboration, outreach, and community engagement with a focus on efficient, affordable cooling for households statewide 
• Support campaign growth, partnership development, and communications emphasizing energy-efficient cooling technologies, rebates, and household upgrades 
• Track measurable outcomes such as cooling resources distributed, energy savings achieved, and household participation 
• Develop educational materials focused on reducing energy consumption, improving cooling efficiency, and lowering utility bills 
• Conduct community presentations, partner trainings, and outreach activities centered on long-term cooling and energy savings. 
• Help households understand utility rebates, energy-efficiency programs, discounted-rate options, and financing pathways 
• Track program outcomes for reports to funders, improvements to existing practices and policies, and to support Wildfire’s advocacy for utility affordability and efficiency investments 

3. Build and Grow a Portfolio of Household Energy-Efficiency Programs 

• Develop new initiatives aimed at improving home cooling performance, reducing utility costs, and boosting long-term energy efficiency 
• Identify gaps in existing efficiency offerings and create Wildfire-led or Wildfire-aligned complementary services 
• Support pilot programs such as efficient HVAC upgrades, heat pump efficiency, mobile-home cooling strategies, and energy-saving home improvements 
• Draft program concepts, budgets, logic models, scopes of work, and partnership proposals 
• Support grant development, including proposals, reporting, and identification of new funding streams 
• Coordinate with in-house staff to incorporate utility-funded programs into relevant Arizona Corporation Commission filings 

4. Partner Network Development and Coordination 

• Coordinate closely with CAAs operating Weatherization Assistance Programs to align complementary services and ensure coordinated support. 
• Work with utilities, nonprofits, and local jurisdictions to identify efficiency opportunities and streamline access to available programs. 
• Maintain and expand existing relationships with community partners to achieve energy efficiency and heat resiliency goals and outcomes. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Commitment to Wildfire’s mission   
• Experience with energy programs, HVAC/cooling-efficiency initiatives, environmental sustainability, public health, and community programs. 
• Capacity to think systemically and focus efforts on larger social issues and concerns, especially issues related to justice for low-income and traditionally marginalized communities   
• Knowledge of program management including research, writing, grant preparation, budget preparation, working with partners, management of information systems, tracking and reporting  
• Strong technical skills showcasing the ability to maintain dashboards, databases, and reporting tools for external partners, internal processes, and grant-related evaluation. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal  
• Ability to plan and organize work, meetings, and projects  
• Ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing  
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and report research findings   
• Ability to travel within and outside of Arizona. Must possess a valid driver’s license  
• Capacity to work evenings and weekends when needed 

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications include a bachelor’s degree and 2–4 years of experience in energy efficiency, sustainability, community programs, public health, or related fields.  Equivalent experience will be considered.

Work Environment:

• Hybrid work schedule with some in-state travel
• Consistent attendance at community events, partners meetings, or trainings.
• Ability to travel within Arizona; must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license.
• Occasional evenings or weekends as program needs require 

How to Apply:

If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to hiring@wildfireaz.org with the subject line: Heat Resilience & Energy Efficiency Manger 

Please, no phone calls. Resumes accepted until position is filled.  

Wildfire is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including people of color, LGBTQ identified people, gender-nonconforming people, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and multilingual candidates.  

Benefits: 

Wildfire offers employer-paid medical and dental insurance, life insurance, and retirement contributions. Competitive leave policies include four weeks of PTO upon hire and earned sabbatical.