Staff Attorney, Food & Water Action

Staff Attorney, Food & Water Action, Remote Position.  A Staff Attorney is expected to manage a broad range of responsibilities, requiring an equally wide range of skills. Among the tasks to be performed are: (1) developing and implementing legal strategies, including litigation, to support Food & Water Watch (FWW) campaigns; (2); engaging in regulatory processes; (3) reviewing and drafting federal and state policies, including legislation; (4) working closely with our legislative, research, communications, outreach and field staff to further our legal and campaign goals.

Link to the position.

Intellectual Property Transactions Counsel, Impossible Foods

Intellectual Property Transactions Counsel, Impossible Foods, Redwood City, CA.  As our Counsel, Intellectual Property Transactions, you will assist the Director of Intellectual Property with a wide variety of intellectual property-related commercial transactions.  

Link to the position.

Instructor of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems - University of Colorado

Instructor of Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems, University of Colorado, Boulder.  The Masters of the Environment (MENV) graduate program, within the University of Colorado Boulder’s Environmental Studies Program, seeks a full-time non-tenure-track Instructor and Faculty Lead for the Sustainable Food Systems track, to begin as early as January 2021. 

Link to the position.

Sr. Program Officer - Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future

Senior Program Officer - Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, Baltimore, MD.  CLF is seeking a Senior Program Officer (SPO) to join its Food System Policy team and play a central role in developing, implementing and evaluating activities that engage the public health field in agriculture and food system policy at domestic and global levels. 

Link to the position.

Senior Policy Specialist - Conservation - National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition - Washington, DC

 The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is seeking a passionate and collaborative policy advocate to represent our Coalition’s conservation policy portfolio. Each Policy Specialist on our team focuses on a variety of issues and interacts with coalition members through issue-specific policy committees; in this role, you will build critical relationships, act strategically to push policies forward, and be well versed in relevant policies and frameworks. If you are just as excited to dive into soil health details with farmers as you are to help Congress understand the importance of these issues, this is the role for you. This position will serve as our in house “expert” on agricultural conservation and environmental issues and legislation, with a specific focus on working lands conservation programs, climate change, renewable energy, and farmland protection programs. In addition, each policy specialist also collaborates with the rest of the policy team on shared campaigns and helps to further our racial equity efforts.

We strongly encourage all interested candidates to apply even if they do not meet all of the qualifications. NSAC will also consider strong candidates with less experience at the title of Policy Specialist.

This is a full-time, exempt position that offers benefits. Normally it is based in our Washington, DC office, but all staff are currently remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be an expectation that you relocate to Washington, DC if you do not currently live there when public health and safety guidelines allow for office reopening. This position reports to NSAC’s Policy Director.

THE ORGANIZATION

NSAC is an alliance of grassroots organizations that advocates for federal policy reform to advance the sustainability of agriculture, food systems, natural resources, and rural communities. For over 30 years, NSAC’s stellar track record of policy accomplishments has been guided by a vision of agriculture where a safe, nutritious, ample, and affordable food supply is produced by a legion of family farmers who make a decent living for their work, while protecting the environment, and contributing to the strength and stability of their communities. Racial justice – an understanding and acknowledgment of historical and ongoing racial inequities and commitment to actions challenging those inequities – is a core NSAC tenet that we seek to embed in our structure, analysis, policy development, and advocacy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Act as the primary staff for NSAC’s Conservation, Energy, and Environment (CEE) Issue Committee, leading the Committee’s work to develop and advance administrative, regulatory and legislative priorities

• Collaborate with NSAC grassroots staff and Coalition members on campaign strategy and actions, and support NSAC interns and fellows on portfolio-relevant projects

• Advocate on Capitol Hill and with executive branch agencies (USDA, EPA, etc.) on a regular basis, including developing and executing an ongoing strategy on conservation policy issues and programs

• 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 (including our Diversity Committee) and through its external campaigns and policy goals

• Represent NSAC at partner meetings, coalitions, conferences, and to the media in DC and nationwide

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• This is not an entry level role and a successful candidate likely has 5+ years of relevant work experience in fields such as legal, regulatory, agency, legislative, or lobbying experience, or other significant agricultural policy experience. We encourage people with related work experiences to apply.

• Strong grasp of federal working lands conservation programs and related issues, including but not limited to key Farm Bill programs

• An understanding of and passion for sustainable agriculture and food systems

• A working knowledge of the federal policy-making process

• Demonstrated understanding of how racial equity intersects with agriculture and food systems and an ability to apply this lens to policy decisions

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including public speaking skills and ability to translate complex federal regulations and policies for a lay audience

• Exceptional initiative and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work independently and collaboratively, listen well, build trust, and model healthy conflict resolution

• Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to work on legislative timelines

• Ability to work effectively with, value differences of, and incorporate the experiences and policy impacts on, diverse groups of individuals, including race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances

• Enthusiasm for and experience in cultivating lasting relationships and accountable partnerships with a diverse body of stakeholders and decision makers

• Willingness to travel domestically several times a year (no travel required while operating under COVID-19 safety precautions)

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

The following skills are not required, but are desired.

• Experience working in a Congressional office or federal agency

• Background with grassroots advocacy campaigns (e.g. field organizing, lobby days, etc)

• Experience with large, multi-organization grassroots coalitions, including facilitation and consensus building

• Bilingual fluency in a language other than English

SALARY AND BENEFITS

NSAC offers a competitive non-profit salary and benefits, dependent on qualifications and experience, $65,000+.

Benefits: This full-time position offers excellent benefits (as per the employee handbook), including generous vacation and other time-off policy, health, dental, and long-term disability insurance, contributions after two years in a retirement plan, and financial support for professional and personal development.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All communications are treated confidentially. Resume review begins immediately. No phone calls, please. Applications must be received by November 9, 2020 for consideration.

Please use this form (also available at http://sustainableagriculture.net/about-us/jobs/) to complete and submit application materials.

NSAC is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce and strongly encourages applications from groups that have been historically under-represented, including but not limited to women and people of color. Please also see NSAC’s Statement on Racial Equity. NSAC makes hiring decisions without regard to gender, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.

Click here to apply.

Student Trainee (Legal Support Program) - FDA - Silver Spring, MD

 Open & closing dates

 10/13/2020 to 11/02/2020

Service

Excepted

Pay scale & grade

GS 7

Salary

$48,670 to $48,670 per year

The salary listed in the vacancy announcement includes the geographical locality pay.

Appointment type

Internships - Internships - This is a summer internship for 2021-interns are expected to work approximately 10 weeks, but not exceeding 9/30/2021. This position will not be extended.

Work schedule

Full-Time

Clarification from the agency

Students who are currently enrolled in an accredited, college (including 4-year colleges/universities, community colleges, and junior colleges); professional, technical, vocational, and trade school; advanced degree programs; or other qualifying educational institution pursuing a qualifying degree or certificate.

Summary

LOCATION: The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of the Commissioner, Office of Chief Counsel, Silver Spring, Maryland.

Additional selections may be made from this vacancy, within the same geographical area, by other organizational elements from within FDA, through shared corporate recruiting activities.

Responsibilities

Review policies, procedures, regulations, and directives regarding programmatic and administrative matters of the agency.

Engage in research of pertinent laws, legal opinions, and precedents for cases and other legal matters.

Investigate facts, research issues, and prepares legal actions such as indictments, criminal complaints, search warrants, judgment, applications, notices, affidavits, summonses, subpoenas, and other legal documents.

Work with a senior attorney in trial preparation, preparing exhibits, witness files, graphics, and litigation expenses.

Assist discovery by analyzing requests for the production of documents and interrogatories.

Compose memoranda requiring thorough knowledge of legal procedures and applicable forms.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Travel Required

Not required

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

7

Click here to apply.

Attorney Advisor (General) - USDA - Washington, DC

 Open & closing dates

 10/13/2020 to 11/02/2020

Service

Excepted

Pay scale & grade

GS 11

Salary

$72,030 to $93,638 per year

Appointment type

Permanent

Work schedule

Full-Time

1 vacancy in the following location:

Washington, DC

1 vacancy

Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

Telework eligible

Yes as determined by agency policy

Summary

The position is located in Washington, District of Columbia.

The incumbent serves as an attorney providing legal advice, research, analysis and interpretation of federal, state and local laws, as well as oral and written opinions, memoranda, pleadings, briefs and legal support of all USDA programs and litigation, and performs other legal services as assigned.

Responsibilities

Provide legal advice and counsel to agencies of the USDA.

Serve as liaison between agencies of the USDA and the Department of Justice in litigation concerning USDA programs.

Represent agencies of the USDA in formal administrative adjudication.

Conduct legal research.

Draft and review legal documents, including briefs, deeds, contracts, loan documentation, legal opinions, and agency documents.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status

No

Promotion Potential

14

Click here to apply.

Managing Attorney - Agricultural Worker Rights Program - Nebraska

 Description

The position may be located in any office location, with significant travel throughout the state.  The responsibilities include managing, performing, and coordinating work done under the Project with the support of Legal Aid’s Management and Administrative staff. The Attorney will provide information, advice, and representation to migrant and agricultural workers regarding a variety of legal issues including: The Fair Labor Standards Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, the regulatory provisions of the H-2A agricultural worker visa program, wage claims, employment issues, housing issues, benefits issues and other state and federal laws. Other duties include but are not limited to: collaborating with other agencies providing services to migrant and agricultural workers and preparing and presenting educational and informational materials.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS  

Required Education:  

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.  

Required Licenses:  

Licensed to practice law in the State of Nebraska and member in good standing in Nebraska Bar Association.   

Desired Abilities & Qualifications:   

Ability to communicate in Spanish, which is spoken by significant numbers of clients.  

Relevant experience in agriculture, poverty law, with a legal aid program, or serving the client community in a way related to legal services.  

Required Abilities & Qualifications:      

Admitted to and in good standing with the Nebraska State Bar (or admission imminent.)  

Present ability (or willingness to develop) to manage a typical LAN caseload involving significant litigation.  

A commitment to providing legal services to the low-income citizens of Nebraska.  

Awareness of the legal problems and needs of low-income Nebraskans.  

Ability to communicate with persons in the client community.  

Ability to work effectively with other members of the firm.  

Willingness to participate in the local bar and community.   

Accountable to one of the following: Supervising Attorney, Managing Attorney, Chief of Legal Program & Strategy, or Executive Director.  

Intermediate knowledge of poverty law and beginning supervisory skills.  

May supervise law clerks, interns, externs and volunteers.  

May be a Task Force leader.  

Travel is required. Bilingual English/Spanish communication skills strongly preferred.  Experience working with migrant and/or agricultural workers strongly preferred. Willingness to develop specialized knowledge of laws related to migrant and agricultural workers required, and Legal Aid will provide training opportunities and support to attorney.

Click here to apply.