Organic Policy Coordinator Position Description - North Carolina

Organic Policy Coordinator Position Description

The Organic Policy Coordinator is a full-time (40 hours/week) position with
the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA), based in CFSA’s Pittsboro,
NC office. The Organic Policy Coordinator works as part of the Policy Team to
advocate for the interests of family-scale organic farmers with national and
state regulators. This is a 15-month, grant funded position.

About CFSA

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA) is a member based 501(c)3 non-
profit organization that helps people grow and eat local, organic food by
advocating for fair farm and food policies, building the systems that organic
family farms need to thrive, and educating communities about local, organic
farming. We support sustainable farming that is good for consumers, good for
farmers and farm workers, and good for the land.

Job Summary

The Organic Policy Coordinator position is a full-time, salaried position. In
collaboration with the Policy Director, the Organic Policy Coordinator will
research and advocate for organic integrity and spearhead efforts to promote
the interests of family-scale organic farmers with national and state
regulators.  The Organic Policy Coordinator will identify and implement
strategies and tactics to prevent dilution of the organic standards and ensure
that consumers’ expectations of the standards—environmental stewardship,
family-scale farming, fair labor practices, high animal welfare standards,
zero tolerance for GMOs, freedom from chemical residues, and wholesomeness—are
met.

Job Responsibilities

1. Research (40%)

•       Conduct research and draft comments on National Organic Standards
Board (NOSB) issues.
•       Research and draft legislative and regulatory proposals to mitigate
negative impact of federal and state law on organic agriculture in the
Carolinas.
•       Research and draft state and federal legislative and regulatory
proposals to promote organic agriculture in the Carolinas and family-scale
organic farms and food businesses.
•       Research and draft educational materials to help organic farms and
food businesses understand laws and regulations.
•       Meet with CFSA member organic farmers and food businesses to solicit
their input and understand the impact of agricultural policies on their
operations.

2. Advocacy (55%)

•       Attend and represent the interests of CFSA at meetings of the NOSB,
the National Organic Coalition (NOC), and other agencies.
•       Assist the Policy Team to develop and implement state- and federal-
level advocacy campaigns on issues impacting the integrity of the USDA Organic
label, including support for environmental stewardship, family-scale farming,
fair labor practices, high animal welfare standards, zero tolerance for GMOs,
and freedom from chemical residues.
•       Assist the Policy Team to develop and implement state- and federal-
level advocacy campaigns related to the impacts of Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMOs) on the environment, crop seed supplies, farmers, and public
health.
•       Develop relationships with NOSB members, NOP staff, and other USDA
officials responsible for organics.
•       Serve as an ombudsman to organic certification agencies for CFSA
member farms and businesses.
•       Lead organic stakeholder advisory committees to the state departments
of agriculture in NC and SC.
•       Represent the interests of organic agriculture with state regulatory
agencies.
•       Advocate for research needs of the organic sector with land grant
universities in NC and SC.
•       Undertake other advocacy activities related to organic agriculture, as
necessary.

3. Communications and Administrative Support (5%)

•       Seek opportunities to raise the visibility of CFSA and organic
agriculture policy efforts (e.g. tabling, speaking engagements, or
collaborative programming with other organizations).

Position Requirements

•       A JD or Master’s Degree in Public Policy or other relevant field of
study, or a BA or BS degree in a relevant field of study and 10 years of
relevant work experience.
•       Strong commitment to the values embodied in CFSA’s mission and
programs.
•       Strong analytic skills, including ability to identify systemic
problems and develop innovative solutions.
•       Excellent oral and written communication skills.
•       Exceptional organizational skills and time management ability, with
proven ability to multitask, and consistently meet or exceed deadlines and
goals.
•       Proven ability to work well within a team, and with individuals, both
internal and external, from diverse backgrounds.
•       Must be self-directed, attentive to details and enthusiastic.
•       Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills with an
ability to prioritize, negotiate with, and work with a variety of internal and
external stakeholders.
•       A multi-tasker with the ability to wear many hats in a fast-paced
environment; ability to concurrently work on strategic issues and operational
details.
Personal qualities of integrity, accountability, credibility, and dedication
to sustainable agriculture and the mission of CFSA

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

•       Familiarity with the National Organic Program and agriculture in
general.
•       Experience with the development of public policy at the state or
federal level.

Salary range is between $36,000-$45,000 DOE for this position, with generous
vacation and retirement benefits, as well as a monthly fringe benefit to
support the purchase of health insurance.

CFSA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women
and people of color. To apply, submit a resume, list of professional
references and a cover letter explaining why you want to work to promote
local, organic agriculture to apply@carolinafarmstewards.org with “Organic
Policy Coordinator” in the subject line.  You will receive electronic
confirmation of your email submission.  No calls, please.

Applications are due by August 24, 2015.  The anticipated start date is
October 5, 2015.

Michigan State University Institute for Food Laws & Regulations: Two positions open

The Michigan State University (MSU) Institute for Food Laws and Regulations (IFLR) is accepting applications for two new positions:  Food Law Academic Specialist (Teaching) and a Research Fellow in Global Food Law.

The Academic Specialist will teach an undergraduate course in United States food law, assist with online food law courses, and provide support for food science laboratory coursework.

The Research Fellow will organize and implement the Global Food Law Summer Seminar, complete at least one mentored research project, assist in other projects supporting IFLR and the Master Program in Global Food Law. Both positions are full-time, annual year positions.

For the full position descriptions and to apply, visit the MSU Applicant Web page.  For the Research Fellow position, search for job #1077. For the Food Law Academic Specialist (Teaching) position, search for job #1676.

Questions about the application process should be directed to Mary Anne Verleger at (517) 355-8295 or Verlege3@anr.msu.edu.

For questions about the positions, please contact Neal Fortin, IFLR Director, E-mail: fortinne@msu.edu.

Feeding America San Diego: Chief Executive Officer

"Feeding America San Diego is seeking an experienced and inspirational Chief Executive Officer to lead this impactful and growing nonprofit that feeds 59,000 hungry children, seniors and families each week."

For more information, consult the Job Announcement posted on the Feed America San Diego website.

Texas A&M Faculty: Agricultural and Food Law Opportunity

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW seeks to expand its academic program and its strong commitment to scholarship by hiring multiple exceptional faculty candidates for tenure-track or tenured positions, with rank dependent on qualifications and experience.  Candidates must have a J.D. degree or its equivalent.  Preference will be given to those with demonstrated outstanding scholarly achievement and strong classroom teaching skills.  Successful candidates will be expected to teach and engage in research and service.  While the law school welcomes applications in all subject areas, it particularly invites applications from:

1)      Candidates who are interested in building synergies with Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School, with an emphasis on scholars engaged in international business law who focus on cross-border transactions, trade, and economic law (finance, investments, dispute resolution, etc.);

2)      Candidates who are interested in building synergies with the broad mission of Texas A&M University’s College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, which include but are not limited to scholars engaged in agricultural law (including regulatory issues surrounding agriculture), rural law, community development law, food law, ecosystem sciences, and forensic evidence; and

3)      Visionary leaders in experiential education interested in guiding our existing Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic (with concentrations in both trademarks and patents), Entrepreneurship Law Clinic, Family Law and Benefits Clinic, Employment Mediation Clinic, Wills & Estates Clinic, Innocence Clinic, Externship Program, Equal Justice/Pro Bono Program, and Advocacy Program, with a particular emphasis on candidates who may have an interest in participating in our Intellectual Property and Technology Law Clinic or developing an Immigration Law Clinic.

Texas A&M University is a tier one research institution and American Association of Universities member.  The university consists of 16 colleges and schools that collectively rank among the top 20 higher education institutions nationwide in terms of research and development expenditures.  As part of its commitment to continue building on its tradition of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and public service, Texas A&M acquired the law school from Texas Wesleyan University in August of 2013.  Since that time, the law school has embarked on a program of investment that increased its entering class credentials and financial aid budgets, while shrinking the class size; hired eleven new faculty members, including nine prominent lateral hires; improved its physical facility; and substantially increased its career services, admissions, and student services staff.

Texas A&M School of Law is located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the country.  The Fort Worth/Dallas area, with a total population in excess of six million people, offers a low cost of living, a strong economy, and access to world-class museums, restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor activities.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Texas A&M welcomes applications from a broad spectrum of qualified individuals who will enhance the rich diversity of the university’s academic community. Applicants should email a résumé and cover letter indicating research and teaching interests to Professor Timothy Mulvaney, Chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee, at appointments@law.tamu.edu.  Alternatively, résumés can be mailed to Professor Mulvaney at Texas A&M University School of Law, 1515 Commerce Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76102-6509.

Fulbright Grant Opportunities for Legal Studies Abroad

Fulbright Grant Opportunities for Legal Studies Abroad

With over 80 Fulbright Scholar awards available in countries around the globe for U.S. law professors, researchers and professionals, now is the time to refresh your thinking and learn about law in a context other than that of the U.S.

The Fulbright Scholar Program now offers more short-term options to teach and/or research than ever before, including Fulbright Flex, an award feature that provides grants for multiple, short-term segments over the course of one to three years.

Watch our informational webinar on Fulbright Opportunities in Law Around the World to learn more about the program from the perspective of a Fulbright legal scholar alumnus. Receive virtual guidance and application support from one of our experienced grant officers by registering for a Virtual Advising session this Thursday, July 16, 2015, 11:00am – 12:00pm EST.

Eligibility
Open to both academics and professionals. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Click here to read the full eligibility guidelines.

How to Apply
Check out our website to learn more about some of Fulbright’s highlighted law awards and to read samples of successfully funded projects. Application Guidelines and Review Criteria are also available.

Click here to start your application today! The deadline for the 2016-2017 academic year is August 3, 2015.

The Fulbright Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is the U.S. government’s flagship international exchange program and is supported by the people of the United States and partner countries around the world. For more information, visit eca.state.gov/fulbright.