Policy Associate; The California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN)

 

Job Title: Policy Associate

Background: The California Climate and Agriculture Network (CalCAN) is a
collaboration of California’s leading sustainable agriculture organizations
and allies advocating for policy solutions at the nexus of climate change and
agriculture. We cultivate sustainable agriculture movement leadership to face
the challenges of climate change and to serve as the sustainable agriculture
voice on climate change policy in California.

We advocate for policies that protect farmland, support on-farm renewable
energy and energy efficiency and increase resources for California farmers and
ranchers to implement innovative on-farm conservation practices that mitigate
and adapt to climate change while providing other environmental and health co-
benefits.

Job Description: The Policy Associate works closely with CalCAN’s Policy
Director to develop and implement CalCAN’s priority policy initiatives.
Primary areas of responsibility include:

• Develop and implement policy campaigns on sustainable agriculture and
climate change issues, especially related to supporting on-farm renewable
energy production and energy efficiency measures for small and mid-scale
producers and state investment in agricultural solutions to climate change
mitigation and adaptation
• Advocate before the state legislature, state agencies and departments,
particularly the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of
Conservation, California Public Utilities Commission and California Energy
Commission
• Assist with federal farm bill coordination as a partner in the
California Caucus of the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition.
• Draft documents, including legislative language, policy papers,
testimony, advocacy materials, and rulemaking comments relating to programs
and policies that address climate change and agriculture issues
• Assist as needed with grant writing
• Participate in executive committee meetings and coalition strategy
meetings
• Assist with grassroots and grasstops outreach
• Write policy blogs and contributions to CalCAN’s monthly newsletter
• Represent CalCAN at partner meetings, events, and to the media

Qualifications: Eligible applicants must possess the following skills and
experience:
• Knowledge of and passion for sustainable agriculture
• Minimum of one year advocacy experience, with demonstrated facility
with campaign strategy and tactics development and implementation
• Basic knowledge and familiarity with the state policy-making process
• Strong written and verbal communications and public speaking skills
• Self-directed and collaborative work style
• Willingness to work around a demanding legislative schedule and
administrative deadlines
• Willingness to travel to Sacramento one to three times per week and
parts of the state several times a year

The following skills and experience are also sought:
• Experience advocating in support of sustainable agriculture
• Experience with print, radio, and online media
• Experience with grassroots coalitions

Terms: This is a full time salaried position with health benefits. The
position will be located in either Sacramento or the Bay Area (with regular
Sacramento travel expected). The optimal start date is August 2013.

Compensation: Salary is competitive with small Bay Area non-profit
organizations and will be decided based in part on the experience of the
successful candidate. Health benefits are provided.

To Apply: Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume and the
names and contact information for three references to Jeanne Merrill, CalCAN
Policy Director (jmerrill@calclimateag.org). Please no phone calls. Position
will be open until filled, and applications will be accepted until July 15,
2013.


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