Change Management & Advocacy Consultant

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and facilitate a process for reimagining the WCEE Program Lead role, including a stakeholder engagement process, job description revision, and hiring support for a successor long-term hire.
• Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Advisory Committee and Whatcom Community Foundation during a critical organizational transition, helping the coalition navigate uncertainty with clarity and relational integrity.
• Support the coalition in assessing current program commitments, partnership health, and infrastructure needs — and identifying what to carry forward, pause, or sunset.
• Facilitate key coalition convenings, including quarterly Community of Practice meetings and relevant workgroup meetings, with attention to participatory design and shared decision-making.
• Document institutional knowledge and coalition history to support continuity and future leadership onboarding.
• Assess and coordinate advocacy efforts, including supporting coalition partners in building shared advocacy narratives and engaging with legislative champions and agency stakeholders.
• Maintain and strengthen WCEE's presence in regional and national environmental education networks, identifying and communicating emerging policy opportunities relevant to coalition programs and partner organizations.
• Support grant prospecting and relationship maintenance with current and potential funders to sustain coalition programs through the transition.
• Aid in developing a clearer resource development strategy, including a more sustainable funding model for future program leadership, as part of the job reimagination process.
• Assess and clarify equitable fundraising capacity of the program lead role as it pertains to active programs as well as the collective needs of coalition members.
• Aid partners in identifying funding opportunities relevant to active programs (e.g., Snow to Sea, Connections, Seed to STEM) in the context of state funding losses.
• Maintain key coalition relationships during transition, including with school district partners, tribal institutions, and community organizations.
• Coordinate with Whatcom Community Foundation staff on grant tracking, financial reporting, and contract compliance for active collaborative programs.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in organizational transitions, change management consulting, or backbone facilitation in coalition or nonprofit contexts.
• Familiarity with environmental education, outdoor learning, or related fields in the Pacific Northwest region.
• Strong facilitation skills, including experience with participatory and equity-centered process design.
• Ability to build trust quickly with diverse stakeholders — educators, community organizations, tribal partners, funders, and policymakers.
• Commitment to equity and culturally responsive practice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in outdoor learning, environmental education, or education policy advocacy at the state or regional level.
• Familiarity with Washington State legislative processes and relevant agencies (OSPI, RCO, ESSB/HB outdoor learning funding landscape).
• Prior experience with Collective Impact or coalition backbone facilitation models.
• Experience with resource development, grant writing, or funder relations.
• Proficiency with Google Workspace and collaborative tools.

Who We Are

The Whatcom Coalition for Environmental Education (WCEE), a program of the Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF), is a dynamic collaboration of nonprofits, businesses, tribal institutions, and agencies united by a shared vision: “Every young person across Whatcom County experiences equitable, inclusive and culturally responsive outdoor and sustainability education. Place-based learning is integrated with educational outcomes across grades. Educators inspire curiosity, critical thinking, and innovation, and connect experiences with the head and heart. Empowered youth have the knowledge and skills to be responsible stewards of our communities and our planet.”

Application

To apply, please send your resume and a cover letter indicating your interest and relevant experiences to programlead@whatcomenvironmentaleducation.com by 7/30/26.

Compensation

$5,000 - $6,000 / month, commensurate with experience and scope.

Location

Whatcom County, Washington - Hybrid (in-person and remote work flexibility)

Target Start Date

September 1, 2026

Duration

3-6 months