Analyst in Agricultural Policy - DC

Duties

Summary

The Resources, Science and Industry Division (RSI) of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) is seeking an Analyst in Agricultural Policy. The analyst will conduct analyses that inform congressional deliberations on agricultural policy including U.S. international food assistance efforts and alternative approaches employed by other entities. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of the programs, initiatives, and broad objectives of agricultural policy, agricultural markets, and the interplay between domestic agricultural and international food assistance interests.

This position requires the ability to utilize analytical methods and techniques to analyze policy issues for the U.S. Congress. Applicants should be comfortable with quantitative approaches in research and familiar with current agricultural policy and related issues with an emphasis on U.S. international food assistance efforts and alternative approaches employed by other entities. Strong writing and presentation skills, including the ability to synthesize complex analyses into easy-to-understand language for a non-technical audience, are required.

Analyst duties include preparing objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive background reports on issues of national significance; providing personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on public policy issues throughout the legislative process; and participating in or coordinating team research projects and seminars. The employee is also expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide public policy and legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels.
CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century.
CRS is well known for analysis that is authoritative, confidential, objective, and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.

Responsibilities

• Participates in CRS seminars, workshops, and/or outreach programs for committees, Members, and staff.
• Locates and provides information requested by Members and committees of Congress or their staff.
• Participates in planning, organizing, and coordinating group research efforts.
• Through personal consultation, assists committees, Members, and staff with consideration of legislative issues by providing information and analysis, and applying professional subject-area knowledge.
• Prepares a variety of descriptive and background reports, memoranda, and written materials on subjects or public policy issues within the employee's area of professional knowledge to support congressional decision making.

American Farmland Trust

Working Lands Alliance Project Director 

Description
Requirements

American Farmland Trust seeks an energetic self-starter to lead Connecticut’s Working Lands Alliance (WLA). The WLA Project Director is responsible for directing all WLA activities, which include research and education, policy development, grassroots and direct advocacy, outreach and communications, member and public events, budgeting and administration, and fundraising. The Project Director works with a 19-person Steering Committee to develop an annual WLA policy agenda, work plan and budget that will guide WLA activities for the year in furtherance of the vision that has been adopted by the Committee. In addition to WLA duties, the WLA Director participates in additional projects within the scope of American Farmland Trust national and regional initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a background in agriculture and public policy, familiarity with Connecticut, and experience in managing collaborative projects involving multiple partners. Excellent communication skills, a willingness to manage all aspects of coalition activities, and the vision to lead are essential. Experience in fundraising is desirable.

The WLA Project Director reports to the New England Director of American Farmland Trust, and coordinates his/her activities closely with those of the WLA Chair and the contracted WLA lobbyist. The Project Director is a full time (37.5 hours/week) position. This is a telework position and requires extensive travel throughout Connecticut and occasional travel elsewhere in the region.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop working relationships with the WLA Steering Committee

• Schedule, develop agendas and record minutes for WLA Steering Committee monthly meetings

• Working with the Administrative Subcommittee and the AFT New England Director, develop annual work plans and budgets to be approved by the Steering Committee

• Working with the Development Subcommittee and the AFT New England Director, raise the funds needed to meet WLA revenue targets

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with federal, state and local policy makers and thought leaders whose work may impact AFT, WLA and their shared vision

• Direct advocacy and legislative activities for WLA based on annual strategic agenda

• Maintain WLA website, member database and communications activities, including overseeing WLA’s social media presence, press relations, and direct communications with WLA membership via e-newsletter, etc.

• Help develop, raise funds for and participate in projects supporting American Farmland Trust regional and national initiatives.

The WLA Project Director must have direct professional experience working with a wide variety of people, organizations and interests on programing and public policy in land conservation and agriculture. These include agriculture and conservation organizations and trade associations, land trusts, state and local elected officials, public agencies, individual donors and foundations, planners and planning commissions, and academic institutions. S/he must have knowledge of Connecticut’s agriculture and farmland protection. Excellent communication skills and creativity are essential. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite is required; additional computer skills preferred.

• A BA or BS degree and a minimum of 4 years of work experience in related fields, such as farmland conservation, agriculture, public policy, land use or natural resource planning.

• Demonstrated experience with legislative and/or policy development and advocacy.

• Demonstrated project and budget management experience.

• Experience managing complex projects and multiple partners.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Fundraising experience strongly preferred.

American Farmland Trust provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Farmland Trust complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Pesticide Action Network

PAN Communications Director

Pesticide Action Network (PAN) is seeking a passionate, pragmatic and innovative Communications Director. The ideal candidate is deeply rooted in the discipline of strategic communications for social change, has a flair for crafting compelling narratives to mobilize target audiences, and is well-versed in online organizing best practices. The Communications Director leads — and collaborates closely with — a small and mighty team that includes the Communications Associate and Digital Production Manager.

S/he is responsible for cultivating the organizational “voice,” developing message platforms, and ensuring consistency across all branded materials and channels. Additionally, the Communication Director oversees the creation and implementation of digital engagement and online fundraising strategies, and collaborates with staff across the organization as part of the program leadership team.
We’re looking for an experienced professional with exceptional writing skills and a deep understanding of and commitment to PAN’s mission to transform the food and farming system. Personal or professional knowledge of relevant social and environmental justice issues like pesticide policy, genetic engineering and sustainable agriculture are highly desirable. Self-direction, flexibility and a collaborative approach are also key, as is a sense of humor.

This is an 80% position — 4 days/week —  located in either PAN’s Berkeley or Minneapolis office.

The Organization

Pesticide Action Network (PAN) North America works to create a just, thriving food system, working with those on the frontlines — farmers, farmworkers, families with young children, Native people and rural communities — to tackle the health, economic and environmental problems created by our industrialized system of food and farming. We are part of a global network that works to reclaim the future of food and farming from corporate interests. Our organizational values are here: http://www.panna.org/about-us/mission-values.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

The Communications Director collaborates closely with other members of the Communications Team and staff across the organization. Primary areas of responsibility for this role include:  

• Leading the Communications Team, including setting team meetings and agendas, supervising staff and interns, and managing the department budget.
• Driving the creation, implementation and evaluation of the annual strategic communications plan to maximize the organization’s impact and reach.
• Supervising the creation and implementation of digital engagement strategies through PAN’s online channels, including our advocacy email list, social media and websites. 
• Crafting values-based, audience-specific message memos & talking points in support of specific advocacy campaigns.
• Drafting compelling action alerts, fundraising appeals, blogs, website content and campaign resources.
• Ensuring that quality, branding and messaging are consistent in all internal and external communications. This includes being an expert “vetter,” copy editor and writing coach for others on staff.
• Driving online fundraising strategies, implementation and evaluation.
• With other members of the program leadership team, supporting strategic planning, fundraising, board engagement and capacity building across the organization.
• Collaborating with partners to strengthen shared campaigns and build the larger food and agricultural justice movements.

Required qualifications include:

• 3+ years of demonstrated success as a results-driven communications leader, including deep understanding of the role strategic communications plays in achieving policy changes and political wins.
• Proven experience with audience research and message development to mobilize civic engagement.
• Exceptional writing, editing, verbal and analytical skills.
• Experience supervising staff, leading a team and managing a department budget.
• Knowledge of online analytical tools, including Google Analytics.
• Experience with website platforms like Drupal or Wordpress, as well as advocacy tools like Action Network or Salsa. Familiarity with Salesforce and Smartsheet is a plus, as is familiarity with Google Apps and HTML.

A "can-do" attitude, flexibility, grace under pressure and a sense of humor are key to success in this position. Ability to prioritize tasks, make sound decisions, and meet deadlines are also critical. Top candidates will have a deep commitment to social justice, environmental health and food system reform, with political savvy and passion around these issues.

Compensation

Competitive salary, depending on qualifications, experience and location. PAN offers an extensive benefits package, including health, dental and vision insurance, a 403(b) retirement plan, vacation and sick leave, and flexible scheduling.

Application Process

Submit a letter of application describing your specific interest in and qualifications for this position, your resume and salary requirements, and three brief writing samples intended for different audiences to jobpost@panna.org (link sends e-mail), including “Communications Director Application” in the subject line. The position is open until filled. Ideally, the new Communications Director will begin on February 1, 2018. Selection of candidates for interview is ongoing. If you have questions about this position, please email jobpost@panna.org (link sends e-mail).


PAN embraces diversity and is actively committed to increasing diversity among our staff, board and volunteers. We are seeking individuals from a wide variety of ethnic, racial and social backgrounds for this position. We strongly encourage people of color or with roots in other countries or cultures to apply. PAN does not discriminate against applicants or employees for reasons of race, color, disability, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, prior convictions, incarceration or age.

Center for Food Safety

SUMMER 2018 LAW CLERK ANNOUNCEMENT

Portland, OR

Overview: Center for Food Safety (CFS) is a nonprofit public interest and environmental advocacy organization that works to empower people, support farmers, and protect the environment from harmful industrial agriculture. CFS also works to promote and protect truly sustainable forms of food production, like organic and ecological farming. CFS represents over 900,000 farmer and consumer members nationwide. CFS works to achieve its goals through litigation, legislation, scientific reports, public education, grassroots campaigns, market pressure, and media outreach. CFS’s legal team manages an active docket of impact litigation and high-profile cases on issues related to genetic engineering, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs or factory farms), aquaculture, food safety, food labeling, pollinators and pesticides, soil and climate, and organics. Learn more at centerforfoodsafety.org.

Position Description: CFS is seeking motivated law clerks interested in doing meaningful litigation and policy work on behalf of the public and the environment. Clerks’ responsibilities vary each year but typically include performing legal research, drafting pleadings, attending hearings, drafting comments and petitions to administrative agencies, and supporting attorneys in litigation. Clerks are also expected to do minor administrative tasks as needed. Law clerks work closely with attorneys and staff, and are able to gain practical litigation and policy experience in a small nonprofit setting. A stipend may be available, but we strongly encourage students to seek outside funding or school credit.

Qualifications: Clerks must have completed at least one year of law school and be available to work full-time in our Portland, OR office for ten weeks. Demonstrated commitment to practicing public interest law related to food, agriculture, or the environment is a plus. Relevant coursework in administrative and environmental law are strongly preferred but not required.

To Apply: Email a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references to avansaun@centerforfoodsafety.org. Please indicate “Summer 2018 Clerkship” in the subject line. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis.

NRDC - Project Advocate Canada

Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is one of the most effective international environmental action groups, combining the power of more than two million members and online activists with the expertise of nearly 500 scientists, lawyers, policy advocates, and other professionals across the globe ensure the rights of all people to the air, the water, and the wild.  NRDC was founded in 1970 and our staff helped secure environmental victories in the U.S. and around the world. NRDC works on projects in the United States, Canada, Latin America, India, and China, as well as on global initiatives addressing issues such as climate change, energy, toxic waste, oceans, water, air and health. Today, our staff – a force for nature - work out of offices in New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Bozeman, Montana and Beijing.

Position Summary:

NRDC seeks a Project Advocate to work with the International program’s Canada project in it's Washington, D.C. office. The Advocate will help implement the project’s strategy to protect Canada’s Boreal Forest, which include a corporate campaign to secure protection of intact forest areas and policies that support the recovery of threatened boreal species, efforts to highlight the climate impacts of forestry and support the project’s efforts to constrain the development of tar sands and other dirty fuels. The Advocate will work closely with NRDC staff and with other nongovernmental organizations and First Nations allies throughout Canada and the United States. The successful candidate must have strong research skills, excellent communication and problem solving skills and the ability to write effectively for audiences in the government, media, business community and general public. 

Responsibilities

• Research and writing on a variety of boreal forest issues including wildlife conservation policy, climate, indigenous rights and the forestry industry;
• Provide outreach to policy makers, industry leaders and other stakeholders in Canada and the United States; 

• Share and advocate for policy solutions that address unsustainable industrial practices in Canada’s boreal forest; 

• Be responsible for the production of blogs, fact sheets, issue papers, and other written material;
• Represent NRDC before NGO partners and First Nations allies;
• Represent NRDC positions before media and leading policymakers;
• Support NRDC’s priorities on energy, dirty fuels development and climate in Canada.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required;
• Masters or Law degree in environmental law/policy or another relevant field preferred; 

• 3 - 4 years work/intern experience in a relevant and/or related field; 

• Demonstrated advocacy skills; 

• Robust interpersonal skills to interact with leading decision-makers in government, other non-profits, business community;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; 

• Ability to participate on teams that work collaboratively toward shared outcomes across programs and organizations;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to handle multiple work streams;
• Must possess a high degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and Outlook. 

• Proficiency in French is preferred but not required;
• GIS knowledge is preferred but not required.

NRDC is committed to workplace diversity and inclusion.  We are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment.  Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.

To apply, please visit www.nrdc.org/jobs and upload your resume and cover letter through our online portal. Please no phone calls, emails, faxes or in-person resume drop-offs. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

NSAC Policy Intern

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is currently seeking a Policy Intern for the spring term beginning in early January 2018 and lasting until mid-May 2018.  This position is paid, full-time, and is located at NSAC’s Washington, D.C. office on Capitol Hill. Please see the Spring 2018 Policy Intern position posting for more information and instructions on how to apply.