Kansas State University - Agricultural Law Attorney

Manhattan, KS

Description:

• The Agricultural Law Education Attorney will provide primary leadership for agricultural mediation services.
• Kansas Agricultural Mediation Services (KAMS) is the USDA Certified State Agricultural Mediation provider for Kansas. We help Kansans resolve a wide variety of issues affecting their daily lives. These could include agricultural credit issues, farm foreclosures, USDA Farm program and Farm Loan Program decisions, USDA Rural Housing loan issues, USDA Risk Management issues and USDA Natural Resources and Conservation Service decisions. 
• The KAMS Agricultural Law Education attorney is available to visit with callers, confidentially and at no cost, regarding any agricultural legal or financial issue, including such topics as answering questions regarding USDA denial letters, clarifying confusing paperwork, understanding appeal options available, agricultural credit situations, property rights issues, farm foreclosures and landlord/tenant disputes.

Duties: 

• Assessment of client needs for legal, financial, mediation, and farm succession planning facilitation services available through KAMS.
• Assessment and development of a plan for handling cases and services under KAMS.
• Coordinating referrals to legal and financial support services to help clients prepare for mediation.
• Providing support for KSRE Farm Analysts, Kansas Legal Services attorneys, and mediators in the form of training, individual case research, and consultations on case issues.
• Overseeing relationships with and preparing reports for USDA grant authorities.
• Coordinating with K-State and KSRE grant specialists and accountants on budget development and grant application process.
• Basic legal research, education and information in support of clients and KLS attorneys.
• Outreach and programming efforts for KSRE and farm groups to promote KAMS services.
• Involvement with the Coalition of Agricultural Mediation Programs (CAMP) by attending annual meetings, serving on CAMP committees, and working to promote the national program.
• Education of USDA and Congressional policy makers to understand program process and needs at both the national level and KAMS specifically.
• Networking with various USDA agencies, ag lender organizations, farm groups, lenders, political aides.

Requirements:

• Law degree and law license to assess legal issues of clients that need to be addressed in mediation and to refer clients to legal assistance available through KAMS contract with Kansas Legal Services to help parties prepare for mediation.
• Listening skills and patience in working with clients in assessing needs.
• College degree in a field related to law, agriculture, family relationships or communication.
• Education or training in mediation skills, process and concepts.
• Administrative skills/experience in overall case management.
• Administrative skills/experience in statistical collection, evaluation and reporting.
• Writing skills in preparing reports and information for grant administration and renewal.
• Experience in working with farmers, ranchers, creditors & USDA agencies.
• Understanding of farm management or agricultural economic issues and concepts.
• Skills or experience in handling and dealing with client stress and stressful situations.
• Familiarity with USDA programs and regulatory process.
• Public speaking skills or experience for outreach and program promotion.

For more information, click here.

Carolina Farm Stewardship Association - Policy Director

Pittsboro, NC

Description:

• The Policy Director works in concert with the Executive Director, other CFSA staff, and partner organizations to influence legislative bodies, administrative agencies, and land-grant universities on issues of importance to local and organic food and farming across the Carolinas.  Specific responsibilities include facilitating the work of state-based food and agriculture advocacy coalitions in which CFSA participates, developing state-level advocacy goals and specific policy solutions to achieve those goals, educating state and federal policy-makers on issues of importance to the local and organic food and farming community, and organizing and overseeing grassroots campaigns and outreach in support of CFSA’s policy goals. 
• The Policy Director is, when necessary, a registered lobbyist with the state of North Carolina, the state of South Carolina, or the U.S. Federal government. 
• The Policy Director reports to the Executive Director and supervises staff.  The incumbent sets and oversees the Policy Team’s budget, and is responsible for directing Policy Team work planning. 
• As a director-level staff member, the Policy Director participates in decision-making about organizational policies and procedures. 

Duties:

• ADMINSTRATION  (10%):
• Assist in financial and programmatic monitoring to ensure compliance, progress towards objectives and expected results, and work plan and budget development and adherence.
• Supervise Policy Team staff in executing their workplans
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand CFSA membership and ensure member satisfaction.
• Identify and pursue, in conjunction with other CFSA staff, funding opportunities to support policy initiatives.
• STATE POLICY (60%):
• Engage CFSA members, board members and stakeholder communities in developing policy priorities and grassroots campaigns for North and South Carolina.
• Participate in and sometimes lead or chair coalition efforts to change state-level policy with stakeholders representing varied interests in the food and agricultural sectors.
• Develop legislative and regulatory proposals and strategies to advance CFSA’s advocacy priorities, and implement strategies to influence legislative and regulatory processes.
• Educate state legislators and their staff and administrative agency personnel regarding CFSA’s advocacy priorities.
• Monitor state legislative developments and organize CFSA grassroots and grasstops responses to issues relevant to CFSA’s policy priorities and overall mission.
• Coordinate grassroots campaign implementation with CFSA staff and/or partner organizations.
• Coordinate media outreach, in conjunction with CFSA communications staff and partner organizations, in support of policy campaigns.
• Influence administrators of agriculture programs at region’s land-grant universities to increase resources allocated to organic agriculture research and education.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other academic institutions that are supportive of local, organic food system development.
• Update CFSA’s publications on state food and farming laws, as needed.
• Achieve policy wins that advance CFSA’s mission and advocacy priorities.
• FEDERAL POLICY (20%):
• Influence national coalitions in which CFSA participates to include in their policy platforms the perspectives and needs of the Carolinas’ local, organic farmers and food systems. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with Congressional delegations in the Carolinas on food an agricultural issues relevant to CFSA’s members. 
• Direct efforts to engage CFSA members, board members and stakeholder communities in developing federal policy priorities, in concert with the Policy Team and Executive Director.
• Coordinate implementation of grassroots and grasstops federal advocacy campaigns, including implementation in the Carolinas of the campaigns of national coalitions in which CFSA participates.
• Collaborate with CFSA technical services staff to influence state offices of federal Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Services Administration, and Rural Development agencies.
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (10%)
• Provide resources and guidance to local communities (such as food policy councils, extension offices, community development agencies) to successfully develop and implement policies to promote local food economies, stewardship of agricultural resources, and healthy diets.
• Coordinate with regional and community-based partners to implement local policy campaigns
• Design and implement grassroots leadership development programs.
• Build and strengthen CFSA’s network of advocates.
• Increase awareness and visibility of CFSA’s advocacy work, by giving presentations, accepting speaking engagements, and conducting general outreach.

Requirements:

• JD, or Master’s degree in public policy or another relevant field, plus 5 years' relevant experience, including at least 3 years’ experience supervising employees/contractors and managing a budget; or LLM in agricultural law plus 3 years’ relevant experience, including at least 3 years’ experience supervising employees/contractors and managing a budget; or
• 10 years professional experience in: leading regional or statewide policy campaigns engaging diverse partners and communities in efforts to promote systemic change; research, review, and analysis of complex legal and regulatory materials; development of policy positions and proposals; and including at least 3 years’ experience supervising employees/contractors and managing a budget. 
• Experience with multi-stakeholder consensus building, decision-making processes, and conflict resolution techniques.
• Demonstrated experience with public engagement methods and techniques.
• Substantial experience with legislative and regulatory processes.
• Proven ability to research, analyze, and interpret laws, including drafting of statutory or regulatory language.
• Superior initiative and high capacity for self-direction.
• High level of creativity in developing strategies and tactics for achieving goals.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Substantial group facilitation experience.
• Exceptional organization and time management ability, with proven ability to multitask, consistently meet or exceed deadlines and goals, and work effectively with diverse groups and individuals.
• Commitment to sustainable agriculture principles.
• Must be organized, attentive to details, and enthusiastic.
• Strong knowledge of food systems issues; knowledge of the Carolinas’ food systems preferred.
• Strong analytic skills, including ability to identify systemic problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Interest in and capacity to manage staff, interns and volunteers to accomplish advocacy goals.

Applications should be submitted as a single .pdf saved as your first and last name. Send the document to apply@carolinafarmstewards.org with “Policy Director” in the subject line. You will receive electronic confirmation of your email submission. No calls, please.

Applications are due by Nov. 4, 2019.  The anticipated start date is January, 2020.

Sustainable Food Center - Director, Farm Direct Program

Austin, TX

Description:

• The Director of SFC’s Farm Direct Program provides leadership and expertise to guide the development and implementation of strategies and projects for the department. This position currently leads a team of five people. 
• The Program Director must be able to balance multiple priorities, navigate complex situations and work effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders. 
• The Program Director has the overall responsibility for a project portfolio that includes weekly farmers’ markets, institutional food procurement, farm viability services, funding opportunities, and collaborative partnerships.

Duties:

• Provide overall leadership to SFC’s Farm Direct Program and Staff.
• Provide direction and guidance to organization’s new Farm Viability and Supply Chain initiatives, as well as to SFC Farmers’ Markets.
• Develop and maintain external partner relationships and stay abreast of emerging initiatives, services and activities to inform direction and projects.
• Accountable for fiscal management of the program, including managing grant funding; responsible for creating, monitoring and possessing a thorough understanding of program budget.
• Establish key objectives for the bi-annual operational plan and budget in alignment with vision roadmap.
• Lead program input for reports and grant proposals; oversee grant deliverables for program.
• Provide support, direction and coaching to supervisees.
• Review and approve annual employee goals.
• Monitor trends in regenerative agriculture at the local, state and federal level.
• Provide stories, data and content for use on website, appeals, funding proposals, projects and general public information.

Requirements:

• Minimum five to seven years of experience in food systems, nutrition, and/or agriculture, including personnel management and partnership building.
• Proven success overseeing a business or program, including the ability to expand and grow a program.
• Comfort building working relationships, establishing credibility in new areas of work and mobilizing people at all levels towards collaborative goals.
• Ability to initiate, prioritize, and coordinate projects and follow through to completion, or be flexible when priorities change; ability to multi-task.
• Adept at building collaborative, external relationships and demonstrating diplomacy with diverse constituencies, including food producers, intermediaries, institutions and elected officials.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; active listening.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective and timely leadership decisions.
• Commitment to SFC’s new mission and vision.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution required. Advanced degree in related field preferred.

How to Apply: Please submit your resume and cover letter in either MS Word or PDF format to careers@sustainablefoodcenter.org. Applications are due by midnight on Sunday October 6th. No phone calls accepted nor returned.

Whole Foods - Food Regulatory Counsel

Austin, TX

Description:

• Whole Foods Market is looking for an attorney with a background in food regulation and compliance matters. The ideal candidate will be sensitive to the company’s business needs while at the same time providing clear and meaningful legal advice. The candidate will have strong written and verbal communication skills and will enjoy working in a collaborative manner to achieve company goals. They will be someone who is a self-starter and can function independently while at the same time making sure to include relevant stakeholders in discussions and communications. They will enjoy a fast-paced environment that is highly variable.
• We seek to hire people who embrace our mission. In this role you would serve as an internal resource to Whole Foods Market team members including members of its Merchandising, Quality Assurance and Operations Teams and other members of the Legal Team to address federal, state and local regulatory compliance matters and to help monitor for compliance with Whole Foods Market Quality Standards.

Duties:

• Monitoring and providing guidance (including drafting guidance documents) on current regulations, regulatory developments and enforcement trends impacting the food, beverages, dietary supplements, cosmetics, Over-the-Counter drugs, and medical devices.
• Offering guidance with respect to product labeling, including but not limited to label declarations, allergens, usage information, claims and warnings
• Reviewing labels of products (current and proposed) to identify potential compliance issues with regulations and Whole Foods Market Quality Standards
• Working with Whole Foods Market team members, suppliers and consultants to ensure adequate substantiation of label claims
• Advising on compliance matters and best practices relating to Over-the-Counter drugs and medical devices
• Providing guidance on new product formulations to assist with the identification and evaluation of risk and compliance matters
• Assisting with responses to regulatory agency inspections, investigations and enforcement activities related to products including communicating with the FDA, USDA and other federal, state and local regulatory and enforcement authorities
• Researching new market trends identified by the business teams including attending industry meetings and seminars to develop in-house expertise
• Working with other members of the Legal Team to provide guidance on matters relating to product promotions and advertising
• Developing and providing training sessions for Whole Foods Market team members

Requirements:

• A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school with a minimum of 4 years of practice;
• A food law background, including expertise in the interpretation and application of FDA and USDA regulations, standards compliance guidance.   Familiarity with the provisions of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act will be a plus.

For more information, click here.

Center for Science in the Public Interest - SNAP Policy Associate

Washington, D.C.

Description:

• The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) works to improve the food environment for all Americans. CSPI led efforts to win passage of the Nutrition Labeling and Education Act, Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (to improve school food), Food Safety Modernization Act, Menu Labeling, and Food Allergen Consumer Protection Act. The Policy Associate will join our team to help identify and implement strategies to support healthy eating for low-income families, including through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Duties:

• Build strong partnerships with organizations, work with coalitions, mobilize grassroots advocates, and use social media in support of food and nutrition policies and programs.
• Lead statewide convenings and cultivate support for policies and programs from organizations, health professionals, researchers, and community stakeholders.
• Conduct qualitative data collection and analysis, including key informant interviews.
• Draft and edit project and grant reports, fact sheets, public comments, speeches, and other policy resources.
• Represent CSPI at meetings, conferences, and public hearings.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree (e.g., MPH, MPP, JD) and at least 3 years of programmatic or public policy experience in food/nutrition/health; or Bachelor’s degree and 5 years of public policy experience in food/nutrition/health.
• Demonstrated commitment to public health advocacy and community engagement.
• Experience working with diverse stakeholders in an effective and professional manner.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to speak effectively and persuasively. 
• Excellent research and writing skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret and translate complex research, policy, and scientific documents.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent judgment and consistent professionalism, with the ability to take responsibility for multiple projects and deadlines.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications. Proficiency with qualitative data analysis software a plus.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed.

Please email your application materials, which should include a cover letter indicating relevant experience and interest, and résumé to hr@cspinet.org.  Include “PA-SNAP” in the subject line.

George Washington University - Associate or Full Professor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

Washington, D.C.

Description:

• The Milken Institute School of Public Health at George Washington University is recruiting a director of the Food Policy Institute at either the Associate or Full Professor level, non-tenure track (12-month appointment). The primary appointment will be within the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences with a possible secondary appointment in Health Policy and Management. Academic rank, salary and employment position are competitive and will be commensurate with experience.
• The GW Food and Health Policy Institute will develop innovative strategies to address food systems — by bringing together food and nutrition science, food regulatory science and policy, nutrition, obesity, food systems and environmental sustainability — to serve as a catalyst for positive change in food and nutrition policy and an independent hub connecting food and nutrition leaders with a broader policy community. Taking advantage of its DC location and a network of researchers, policymakers and thought leaders, the Food and Health Policy Institute is poised to be a key global nexus for those seeking to navigate and shape the public policy landscape within the context of new food and agriculture trends.
• The Milken Institute School of Public Health has a diverse and growing faculty, with a $90 million research portfolio. As the only school of public health in the nation’s capital, faculty and students have a unique opportunity to work closely with government agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the US Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration, as well as the numerous non-governmental organizations that are headquartered in DC.

Duties:

• Primary responsibilities for the position include an active role in food and nutrition policy research and development along with teaching, and advocacy/service to the profession. The successful candidate will devote effort to obtaining, implementing or overseeing evaluation and/or funded research along with contributions to teaching and mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students and spearheading innovative programming.
• The successful candidate will have a strong record of publications in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and/or policy/white papers, evidence of excellence in teaching and mentoring, demonstrated strong communication and leadership skills, and evidence of collaborative research and academic citizenry.

Requirements:

• Applicants must have: 
• 1) an earned doctorate in nutritional science, food science, food/nutrition policy, applied nutrition, public health, or a closely related area; 
• 2) at least five years of experience in academia, government, or related non-governmental organizations conducting food or nutrition-related research or analysis/evaluation, 
• 3) relevant white paper/policy publications or research publications in peer-reviewed journals; and 
• 4) evidence of obtaining external food or nutrition research or programmatic funding.

For more information, click here.

Producer Services Manager, Dairy - Fair Trade USA

Oakland, CA

Description:

•  Fair Trade USA has launched an exciting new initiative to expand the fair trade model to apply to dairies in the United States. This position will play a critical role in building and piloting Fair Trade USA’s dairy program and determining how it can best provide value to program participants and the supply chains. Fair Trade USA's Producer Services team supports and develops Fair Trade supply chains, working with farmers and farmworkers to help them understand and implement Fair Trade standards. We seek a dynamic Producer Services Manager to manage the organization’s expansion into the U.S. dairy sector, supporting the adaptation of Fair Trade USA’s current field support services to dairying and implementing the program with U.S. dairies. 
• The Manager will work directly with dairies and dairy workers across the United States, providing trainings and sharing best practices related to the Fair Trade program. He or she will be an expert in dairy farming and fair trade, understanding US dairy perspectives, as well as challenges and issues faced by dairy farmers and workers and how the Fair Trade program can provide value to all stakeholders. The Manager will collaborate closely with Standards, Impact, and Certification teams at Fair Trade USA as the new dairy program is developed, helping to ensure consistent interpretation and implementation of standard requirements and bringing learnings from the field to inform program evolution. This new position will focus heavily on dairies for the first year, as the dairy program is built and operationalized. Over time the position will evolve and will likely incorporate additional Producer Services responsibilities related to the broader agricultural program. The ideal candidate will be open to collaboratively evolving the role over time. 
• The role will include significant travel, primarily across the United States. The role will work in both English and Spanish, and fluency in both languages is essential.

Duties:

• Support dairies and dairy workers to understand and implement the Fair Trade standards
• Develop and maintain relationships with Fair Trade dairies (cooperatives and farms), understand and communicate challenges and opportunities with relevant internal teams. 
• Work with prospective and certified dairies to help them understand and implement Fair Trade standards, navigate the certification process, and provide related training to dairy farmers and workers. Producer Services Manager, Dairy 
• Collaborate with colleagues to support cross-learning across agricultural producer services and to create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning amongst farmers and workers. 
• Communicate clearly, directly, and regularly with dairy cooperatives, dairies, and dairy workers engaged in piloting the draft dairy program. Provide the support and information needed to conduct pilots and ultimately transition to a final standard. 
•  Support broader Dairy program development and management
• Maintain accuracy of dairy contacts, product availability data, program implementation data, and compliance information in our database (Salesforce and others). 
• Collaborate with the Impact team to solicit and consolidate data and case studies related to the outcomes and impact associated with the Fair Trade standards, trainings, and Premium. 
• Ensure sales team has the dairy-related information they need to grow Fair Trade dairy sales. 
• Support the adaptation of the Agricultural Production Standard and associated policies and tools for applicability in the dairy sector in the United States. Includes supporting stakeholder engagement and helping to elevate the voice of dairy farmers and workers during consultation. 
• Collaborate with Standards and Implementation Resources team to adapt and/or develop tools and clear training materials to facilitate interpretation and implementation of the standard (with emphasis on dairies). 
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration and relationships. 
• Facilitate alignment of standards, certification, and producer support services within Fair Trade USA.
• Contribute to the on-going growth, evolution and innovation of the Agriculture Program
• Stay up-to-date with and participate in relevant external dairy initiatives, ensuring Fair Trade USA is an active player in the sector and recommending ways to continue to ensure our programs add value. 
• Conduct research and other activities as necessary for growth and innovations in the agricultural program. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field such as agriculture, social responsibility, supply chain management, labor studies, or international development.
•   High degree of proficiency in MS Office applications including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internet applications.
• Four to six years of experience working in the U.S. agricultural and supply chain arena, preferably working with working with small producers or farmworkers in the realm of social compliance. 
•  Knowledge of and experience related to dairying and dairy supply chains required. 
• Excellent communication, writing and presentation skills, including ability to communicate complex information to varying audiences in a simple and meaningful way. 
• Demonstrated strength managing processes in a collaborative manner. 
• Ability to work in a flexible, yet fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment, able to meet deadlines and share progress regularly. 
• Positive outlook, diplomatic and adept at conflict resolution, with ability to work well with all levels of staff and a broad range of stakeholders and partners. 
• Spanish language fluency required (verbal and written). 
• A passion for Fair Trade USA’s mission, vision, and accomplishments.

For more information, click here.

Standards Manager, Dairy - Fair Trade USA

Oakland, CA

Description:

• Fair Trade USA has launched an exciting new initiative to expand the fair trade model to apply to dairies in the United States. This position will play a critical role in building and piloting Fair Trade USA’s dairy program and determining how it can best provide value to program participants and the supply chains. Fair Trade USA's Standards team defines program requirements based on Fair Trade principles and impact goals. We seek a detail oriented and dynamic Standards Manager to conduct and project manage the adaptation of Fair Trade USA Standards and associated policies and implementation guidance to apply to the dairy sector. 
• The Manager writes clear, unambiguous standards and associated documents in line with the objectives of Fair Trade, facilitates stakeholder outreach processes and consultations on standard content, and ensures balanced decision making in determining the final standard and standard interpretations. The Manager also ensures Standards are understood by internal and external stakeholders and develops training materials and guidance documents. Acting as the subject matter expert, the supports other staff in certification, producer services, and business development in ensuring proper interpretation, implementation, and communication of standard requirements as they apply to dairies. They will be responsible for research projects on pressing issues, and for engaging with key dairy sector initiatives, and for other activities as needed. 
• This new position will focus heavily on dairies for the first year, as the dairy program is built and operationalized. Over time the position will evolve and will likely incorporate Standards team responsibilities related to the broader agricultural and trade programs as well as project management of other cross-organizational innovations. The ideal candidate will be open to collaboratively evolving the role over time. 

Duties:

• Ensure Standards revisions are impactful, inclusive, credible, and aligned to the objectives of
• Fair Trade
•  Project manage the expansion and adaptation of the Agricultural Production Standard and associated policies for applicability in the dairy sector in the United States. 
• Write clear and auditable Standards and policies. 
• Identify and engage with stakeholders to enrich the standard writing process, including liaising with technical consultants and experts. 
• Design and facilitate public consultations on draft standards using a variety of participation methods. 
• Track, interpret and summarize feedback on Fair Trade USA Standards and associated documents. Lead process to adapt program requirements based on feedback, facilitating challenging and technical conversations with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Create clear and simple training materials for education of field staff, auditors, and producers on updated Standards requirements. 
• Collaborate with team members on the review and update of Standards related to trade, apparel and home goods, and seafood, ensuring harmonization of processes and requirements across programs.
• Ensure Fair Trade Standards are accurately interpreted and implemented
• Develop policies, tools and guidance to accompany Standards to facilitate interpretation and implementation (with emphasis on dairies). 
• Advise internal and external stakeholders on clarification and interpretation questions. 
•  Facilitate alignment of standards, certification, and producer support services within Fair Trade USA. 
• Contribute to internal and external trainings and communication on standards, and development of producer support tools. 
• Foster cross-departmental collaboration and relationships. 
• Identify and track challenges and ongoing areas for improvement across Standards. 
• Contribute to the on-going growth, evolution and innovation of the Agriculture Program
• Stay up-to-date with and participate in relevant external dairy initiatives, ensuring Fair Trade USA is an active player in the sector and recommending ways to continue to ensure our programs add value. 
• Collaborate with the Impact team to use learnings from monitoring and evaluation to inform program innovation, with focus on dairies. 
• Conduct research and other activities as necessary for growth and innovations in the agricultural program, including contributions to and/or project management of cross-cutting projects.

Requirements:

• High degree of proficiency in MS Office applications including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and internet applications.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field such as social responsibility, supply chain management, or international development.  
• Four to six years of experience working in the U.S. agricultural arena on stakeholder engagement, technical writing, or social compliance, preferably working with small producers and/or farmworkers. 
• Knowledge of and experience related to dairying and dairy supply chains required.
• Demonstrated strength managing processes. Detail-oriented, logical, systematic, methodical, and highly organized. 
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, including technical writing as well as translation of complex data for communication to varying audiences in a simple and meaningful way. 
• Ability to identify, review and analyze information from a wide range of internal and external sources and pull out key findings and conclusions from complex sets of sometimes disparate feedback. 
• Ability to work in a flexible, yet fast-paced and deadline-oriented environment, able to meet deadlines and share progress regularly. 
• Positive outlook, diplomatic and adept at conflict resolution, with ability to work well with all levels of staff and a broad range of stakeholders and partners. 
• Strong English verbal and written communication skills and capacity for communicating and collaborating respectfully and effectively with non-native English speakers. 
• Spanish language ability highly desired. 
• A passion for Fair Trade USA’s mission, vision, and accomplishments.

For more information, click here.

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition - Conservation Policy Specialist

Washington, D.C.

Description:

• NSAC advocates on a wide range of federal farm and food policy issues, including conservation, food systems, farm programs, research, and food safety. 
• Each Policy Specialist focuses on a variety of those issues and interacts with coalition members through issue-specific policy committees. 
• The open position focuses on agricultural conservation and environmental issues, with a specific focus on working lands conservation programs, climate change, renewable
• energy, and farmland protection programs. 
• In addition, each policy specialist also supports the rest of the policy team and helps to further our racial equity efforts through engagement with NSAC’s Diversity Committee. 

Duties:

• Act as the lead staff to NSAC’s Conservation, Energy, and Environment (CEE) Issue Committee, helping the Committee develop and advance administrative, regulatory and legislative priorities; and interface with NSAC grassroots staff and Coalition members on campaign strategy and actions.
• Advocate with executive branch agencies (USDA, EPA, etc.) and on Capitol Hill on a regular basis.
• Draft policy materials, including policy papers, testimony, legislation, rulemaking comment letters, program analysis reports, and regular policy blog posts.
• Contribute to the organization’s annual priority setting, fundraising, and coalition-wide meetings.
• Apply an equity lens to all work, and strive to advance racial equity both within the coalition’s internal processes and through its external campaigns and policy goals.
• Represent NSAC at partner meetings, coalitions, conferences, and to the media in DC and nationwide.

Requirements:

• An understanding of and passion for sustainable agriculture and food systems.
• Four or more years of legal, regulatory, agency, legislative, or lobbying experience, or other significant agricultural policy experience.
• Strong grasp of federal working lands conservation programs and related issues.
• A strong working knowledge of the federal policy-making process.
• Experience working with global majority communities, and an understanding of how racial inequality impacts American agriculture and politics.
• Excellent written and verbal communications and public speaking skills, including ability to translate complex federal regulations and policies into farmer-friendly materials and talks.
• Commitment to working collaboratively with a wide, diverse range of partners and colleagues.
• Willingness to travel domestically several times a year.

For more information, click here.

Congressional Research Service - Legislative Attorney (Trade Law)

Washington, D.C.

Description:

• The Congressional Research Service (CRS), American Law Division (ALD), seeks a Legislative Attorney to analyze legal questions that emerge from the work of Congress related to trade law in particular and American public law generally. 
• This is a non-litigating position emphasizing qualifications and interest in legal research and writing in a public service legislative context. 

Duties:

• The Legislative Attorney prepares objective, non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive and background memoranda and reports on legal issues of national significance; provides personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on legal issues throughout the legislative process; and participates in or leads team research projects and seminars.  The incumbent is expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide legal analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels.
• Candidates with research experience in and broad general knowledge of legal issues regarding trade law in particular and American public law in general; who demonstrate strong research, writing, and oral communication skills; and who possess a portfolio of high quality legal analytical writing are encouraged to apply. Experience as a judicial clerk will be beneficial.
• The position’s primary focus is the broad area of trade law. However, given ALD’s relatively small staff and the breadth of issues ALD covers for Congress, candidates must also be capable of working in a number of different areas of the law and have the intellectual curiosity to seek out and maintain a broad portfolio of legal issues. Thus, applicants should also have knowledge of constitutional and administrative law and statutory interpretation.
• 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 legal and public policy issues of interest to its Members and Committees.
• Legislative Attorney duties include:
• Prepares probing and innovative written legal analyses, arguments, briefs, or other analytical documents that relate complex variables within the attorney's specialized field of law to the development, interpretation, or implementation of important public policies.
• Provides congressional staff with consultations and oral briefings that clarify legal questions, identify and discuss legal options, and inform congressional staff of CRS informational and analytical capabilities within the scope of the attorney's subject areas.
• Prepares authoritative descriptive and background reports, memoranda, bill digests, surveys of laws, comparisons of laws and bills, and other types of written responses for congressional committees, Members, and staff that are characterized by substantial breadth and depth and that cover all pertinent factors and relationships.
• Advises and assists other legislative attorneys, analysts, and specialists through provision of legal analysis and information in support of their service to Congress.
• Prepares and delivers oral presentations at CRS seminars and other outreach programs.
• In response to congressional inquiries, locates, organizes, summarizes, and interprets legal information and other pre-existing legal materials, on difficult or misunderstood policy issues through research, including search of the reference collections and databases of CRS, the Library, other institutions or through contacts and networking with Executive Branch officials or other professionals in the field.

Requirements:

• Applicant must be a graduate from a full course of study in a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
• In addition, applicants must have had progressively responsible experience and training sufficient in scope and quality to furnish them with an acceptable level of the following knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties of the position without more than normal supervision.
• Knowledge of trade law in particular and American public law generally.
• Ability to analyze legal issues.
• Ability to write in a legal context.
• Ability to convey legal analysis and information orally through briefings, consultations and other presentations.
• Ability to work effectively in a high pressure environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others.
• Ability to exercise objectivity in all phases of analysis and consultation.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion.
• Ability to build and maintain a professional network.
• Ability to communicate effectively other than in writing.

For more information, click here.

Olam Americas Inc. - Junior/In-House Counsel

Fresno, CA

Description:

• Globally, Olam is a leading agri-business operating from seed to shelf in 70 countries, supplying food, ingredients and industrial raw materials to over 23,000 customers worldwide. Our global team of 70,000 employees has built a leadership position in many businesses including spices and vegetables, cocoa, coffee, dairy, edible nuts, grains, rice and cotton.
• In the U.S., Olam began operations in 2002 and has grown, both organically and through acquisitions, to manage a wide range of agricultural products across 12 states. Our operations include farming and origination, food processing and logistics management from the ground to the door of our many customers worldwide.
• Olam US is looking for an experienced attorney with 3+ years of commercial contracts drafting and negotiating experience, to play a key role in a fairly new legal department in an extremely dynamic and ever-growing organization. This position will manage and driving strategic initiatives of the commercial contracts and transactional projects in the U.S. and abroad while ensuring legality of company processes and procedures.
• The ideal candidate should be positive, energetic, and eager to learn about the company, industry and the regulatory environment. Furthermore, he/she should be a gifted lawyer, who understands business issues, as well as legal ones, and is looking to make significant contributions to the development of Olam's U.S. Legal group.
• He/She can be transferred to a different Olam office (e.g., Illinois, New York, Dallas, Georgia, etc.) after successfully completing 18 months of training in the U.S. headquarters.

Duties:

• Draft and review a variety of contracts with vendors, customers and other third parties (examples include, NDAs, Supply Agreements, MSAs, Consulting Agreements, Software License Agreements, POs. Lease Agreements, etc.) to assist the business and operations teams with understanding of the meaning and implication of such documents to the business;
• Negotiate contracts, alongside business personnel, under swift time constraints while meeting deadlines;
• Create, update and improve contract templates, playbooks and other forms used by the organization;
• Mentor junior attorneys and work on cross-functional projects within the legal department;
• Support business leadership, as well as other members of the U.S. Legal group, by researching and analyzing complex legal issues and providing advice that ensures compliance with rules and regulations;
• Assist in various matters from time to time such as M&A deals, real estate transactions, (pre-) litigation, and other corporate matters
• Assist in the development of policies and practices based on federal, state and local legal requirements;
• Prepare responses to inquiries from regulatory agencies and other applicable parties;
• Stay current on legal and regulatory issues affecting the company and the industry;
• Collaborate on various legal, business, and administrative functions as needed by the head of the U.S. Legal group and the global legal department; and
• Assist with the managing of outside legal counsels, as needed for litigation and corporate transactional issues.

Requirements:

• At least 3 full years of 3+ years of commercial contracts drafting and negotiating experience is required (please do not apply if you do not have this experience);
• Experience providing guidance for food or agricultural companies is preferred, but not mandatory;
• Must have a J.D. and be fully licensed, in good standing, to practice law in a particular jurisdiction (California is preferred, but not mandatory);
• Excellent academic and professional background;
• Excellent references;
• Knowledge of federal, state and local laws;
• Ability to analyze case law and provide recommendations;
• Administrative skills; and
• Strong computer skills.

For more information, click here.