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.