About CAER

The Contra Costa County Community Awareness and Emergency Response (CAER) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a collaborative partnership among industry, government agencies, emergency response agencies, and the public to promote emergency preparedness, safety awareness, and effective communication throughout Contra Costa County. Its mission is to educate, promote awareness, and prepare communities for emergencies while maintaining strong relationships among stakeholders.

Position Summary

The CAER Board of Directors seeks a dynamic, experienced, and visionary Executive Director to lead the organization into its next phase of growth, stability, and community impact. Reporting to the Board, the Executive Director will serve as CAER’s chief administrator, strategic leader, and ambassador for a unique partnership of industry, government, emergency response agencies, and community stakeholders.

The ideal candidate is a respected, collaborative, and results-driven leader with strong nonprofit management experience, business and financial acumen, and the ability to build trusted relationships across diverse stakeholder groups. The position will begin as a part-time role, with a possible pathway to full-time status as CAER’s growth, strategic priorities, and funding capacity expand.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

Set and execute a long-term strategic vision that advances CAER’s mission and objectives. Strengthening focus on governance, operations, and core processes—including the strategic oversight and development of CAER’s administrative support function. Drive organizational planning, growth, and stakeholder engagement while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Membership and Financial Sustainability

Lead budgeting, financial planning, and fiscal stewardship to support long-term financial sustainability and organizational resilience. Identify and secure new revenue through grants, sponsorships, partnerships, contracts, events, and membership development. Expand, diversify, and oversee CAER’s membership base through targeted strategies to recruit, retain, and engage industrial, governmental, community, and associate members. Enhance member value by improving programming, Action Teams, networking opportunities, and Safety Summits.

Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach

Serve as CAER’s primary spokesperson and representative, building trusted relationships with industry leaders, emergency response agencies, municipalities, community organizations, schools, and elected officials. Reinforce CAER’s role as a regional support organization for emergency preparedness, industrial safety, community awareness, and mutual aid coordination. Raise CAER’s visibility, public profile, and community impact through strategic communications and outreach. Oversee community education initiatives, member communications, and website content.

Desired Qualifications

Qualified candidates will bring many of the following:

• Senior leadership experience in a nonprofit, trade association, public agency, public safety, industrial, or related organization, including working effectively with boards, government agencies, industry leaders, and diverse stakeholders.
• Strong financial and business acumen, with a proven record in budgeting, strategic planning, membership growth, partnership development, fundraising, sponsorships, and grants.
• Knowledge of refinery operations, industrial safety, hazardous materials, emergency preparedness and response, process safety, industrial hygiene, or related fields.
• Outstanding communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills, with a demonstrated ability to lead change, build consensus, and drive results.
• A collaborative leadership style grounded in professionalism, integrity, credibility, and sound judgment.
• Availability for evening and weekend work.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary: $85,000 per year, 30 hours per week (part-time).

Location: Martinez (in person), with regular travel throughout Contra Costa County.

Mileage and cell phone reimbursement, plus an expense account for Board and member recruitment.

CAER is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.

To apply, submit a résumé and cover letter to CAER by Monday, December 7, 2026.

Join us in building safer, more prepared communities across Contra Costa County.