Center for Food Safety: Staff Attorney Position

View online: http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/staff-attorney-california-office/

 

Center for Food Safety

Staff Attorney – San Francisco, California Office

Center for Food Safety (CFS), one of the nation’s top food and environmental advocacy non-profits, is seeking applicationsto fill a staff attorney position in its dynamic downtown San Francisco office.     

What does CFS do?  For nearly 20 years, our mission has centered on protecting the public, the environment and farmers by challenging the harmful impact of food production systems.  We strengthen federal and state food and environmental laws and their enforcement, and promote organic and sustainable agriculture.  Among our many programs and issue areas, CFS is the leading public interest organization litigating the impacts of genetically engineered (GE) crops, and recently had such a case before the U.S. Supreme Court—the first of its kind.

What will you work on? CFS staff attorneys are responsible for developing, coordinating and pursuing strategic litigation in federal and state courts on an ever-expanding variety of leading-edge food industry issues and environmental legal challenges, including:

·         Genetic engineering

·         Organic standards

·         Food Safety

·         Factory farming

·         Food labeling

·         Pesticides

·         Global warming

·         Aquaculture

·         Nanotechnology

Other responsibilities of legal staff include: state and federal rule-making and administrative work; participating in agency, Congressional and other meetings, representing CFS and other clients at hearings and policy events; maintaining and developing organizational partnerships; and working collaboratively with policy staff and law clerk supervision.

What are we looking for? The successful CFS staff attorney candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Four or more years litigation experience (administrative/environmental law or related area preferred)
• A passion for enforcing and strengthening environmental laws
• The ability to independently manage an impact litigation docket
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Self-motivation and willingness to do administrative tasks
• The ability to work closely with others in small, team-oriented office environment
• Timely admission to the California bar  
• Interest or a background in food and agriculture issues a plus

To Apply: For consideration, apply to Ryan Crumley at rcrumley@icta.org. Please include a cover letter explaining your interest, a resume, a legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) and three references.

CFS is an equal opportunity employer. CFS salaries are competitive and based on experience, and include a strong benefits package. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Food Law & Policy Career Guide

I am pleased to link to a very helpful resource developed through a partnership between the Harvard Food Law and Policy Clinic and the Harvard Food Law Society.

It is the Food Law & Policy Career Guide.

"If you are a law student, emerging young professional, interested food policy advocate, or someone simply searching to learn more about what food policy entails, these resources from across the nation (and world) to help you find your next job, volunteer position, or internship in the world of food policy."

Appreciation is expressed to Emily Broad Leib, the Senior Clinical Fellow in the Harvard Law School Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation and Director of the Center's Food Law and Policy Clinic for her work on this guide and for allowing us to post it.

Fellowship: Harvard's Food Law & Policy Clinic

Auto req ID: 27065BR

Business Title: Food Law and Policy Fellow

School/Unit: Harvard Law School

Time Status: Full-time

Department: Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation

Duties & Responsibilities:  The Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation of Harvard Law School is seeking a Fellow to work as part of the Center’s Food Law and Policy Division. Reporting to the Director of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation’s Food Law and Policy Division, the Fellow will work independently and with the Director, staff and students on a broad range of federal, state, and local policy projects aiming to increase access to nutritious food for poor and low-income individuals and families, reduce diet-related diseases, and maximize small farmers’ access to food markets. Among others, projects include assisting with the development and research needs of state and local food policy councils; assessing food safety rules to inform law and policy changes that would increase economic opportunities for small local producers; analyzing and recommending ways to increase access to healthy produce for low-income individuals and those living in “food deserts;” and identifying and breaking down legal and non-legal barriers inhibiting small producers from going beyond direct farm-to-consumer sales to sell at grocery stores, restaurants, and farm to institution programs. The clinic’s work is primarily focused at the state and local level with some national level policy work, and we work with clients and partners located in different parts of the country.

The Fellow’s work will focus broadly on initiatives that will increase access to nutritious food for poor and low-income individuals and families and work to forge at better food system that is more accessible to small producers and fosters improved environmental and health outcomes. The Fellow will work with staff and students to inform cutting-edge policy recommendations at the state and national levels in both the legislative and regulatory arenas. The Fellow will also conduct regular outreach and training for state and national government officials and community groups.

Qualifications: JD required. Ability to work independently, as well as in teams, and in demanding and periodically high stress circumstances. Outstanding oral and written communication and organizational skills required, as well as demonstrated ability to work creatively within broad program goals.  Candidate should exhibit strong motivation to learn and achieve superior professional practice and mentoring skills. Relevant food law and policy experience preferred.

Additional Information:  The Food Law and Policy Division of the Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation was established in 2010 to link Harvard Law students with opportunities to work with clients and communities on various food law and policy issues. The Clinic aims to increase access to healthy foods, prevent diet-related diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, and assist small farmers and producers in participating in food markets. The Food Law and Policy Clinic has focused much of its work in the Delta region, with projects underway in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee; however, starting in fall 2011 the Clinic began to replicate its work in other regions and communities, using its expertise in food law and policy to build similar federal, state, and local advocacy infrastructure around access to food and assisting small producers. The Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation (formerly the Health Law & Policy Clinic) has long been a leading health care access law and policy research and advocacy program. Starting in 1987, in response to the emerging AIDS epidemic, the Clinic was the first law school-based legal clinic in the country to represent poor and low-income individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS. Today, the Clinic works to reduce barriers to access to care for all uninsured, low-income individuals, with an emphasis on those living with chronic medical conditions.


https://sjobs.brassring.com/1033/ASP/TG/cim_jobdetail.asp?SID=^YNmWhrg/MuVMOuDVkYRh1PFysX2QQtD1Dj4Cj02SLpEBTpJirR8bfVj_slp_rhc_LS2lNdyD&jobId=885950&type=search&JobReqLang=1&recordstart=1&JobSiteId=5341&JobSiteInfo=885950_5341&GQId=0

See also:  http://www.law.harvard.edu/academics/clinical/lsc/clinics/health.htm
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/foodpolicyinitiative/

Community Mobilizer with Carolina Farm Stewardship Association

For more information visit: www.goodfoodjobs.com/jobs/12666/community-mobilizer.html

ABOUT

CFSA is a non-profit membership  organization that works to create a local and organic food system in North and  South Carolina.  We help people in the  Carolinas grow and eat local, organic foods by advocating for fair farm and  food policies, building the systems family farms need to thrive, and educating  and organizing farmers and the communities they serve.  Based in Pittsboro, NC, CFSA is the oldest  and largest sustainable agriculture organization in the Southeast. We have a  thirty-two-year record of successfully uniting farmers, consumers and  businesses to build a just, healthy food and farming future.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Community Mobilizer is a thirty  hour per week paid position. The position is expected to start beginning of  June and is funded for 8 months to coincide with the end of current  congressional terms. Weekly schedule and exact start/end dates will be  determined at the time of hire. The term of the position may be extended  subject to availability of funds.

The Community Mobilizer must be  highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize and complete a wide  variety of tasks. Organizers must be comfortable interacting with people from a  wide variety of backgrounds; communicating the importance of Farm Bill reform;  confident in asking people to become CFSA members and/or to financially support  our work through donations; and to engage people to be active in regional  chapters and campaigns.

The Community Mobilizer will report directly to the Director  of the Sustainable Food NC Coalition, and will work closely with the Executive  Director.  The Community Mobilizer is based in  the Pittsboro, NC office. Some night and weekend meetings and extensive travel  throughout the Carolinas will be required.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Working  with CFSA Tour Coordinator to plan, coordinate and implement visits to at least  25 farmers markets and at least 12 restaurants, markets or other farm-to-fork  businesses across the NC and SC, focusing on the following key regions:  Triangle, Piedmont, Triad, Asheville, Charlotte, Upstate SC, and Charleston.
• Working  with the CFSA Tour Coordinator to activate our membership by reaching out to  key ‘friends and allies’ to host informal barn-storm tour meet-ups in their  area and/or train members to get farmers listed on the local food finder.
• Monitoring  federal Farm Bill legislation.
• Analyzing  the relevance of the Farm Bill proposals to the sustainable and organic farming  communities in the Carolinas.
• Assisting  CFSA communications staff to develop informational materials about the 2012  Farm Bill to distribute to CFSA’s grassroots network
• Communicating  this information to CFSA's members and partners using a variety of electronic  and print methods (e.g., action alerts)
• Providing  regular Farm Bill briefings to CFSA staff
• Coordinating  grassroots outreach about the Farm Bill with CFSA’s 2012 Barn Storm Tour, with  special emphasis on connecting with the members of the Carolinas’ congressional  delegation while they are in their districts
• Coordinating  grassroots outreach about the Farm Bill with prominent regional and state  events (e.g., conferences & forums)
• Assist  CFSA team in formulating sound organizing strategies
• Leverage  existing CFSA members, board and staff to build relationships and heighten  visibility of important Farm Bill issues in all of CFSA’s regional service  areas
• Identify,  recruit, and develop community leaders for CFSA’s team of “super-activists”
• Recruiting  new CFSA members
• Track,  report, and evaluate weekly activity
• Develop,  with supervisors, a simple tracking system for grassroots advocacy activities  taken and reported by CFSA members.

Nutrition Policy Analyst at CSPI in D.C.

For more information visit: www.goodfoodjobs.com/jobs/12273/nutrition-policy-associate.html

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is a non-profit health-advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on improving nutrition, food safety, and public health. CSPI publishes Nutrition Action Healthletter, the nation's largest-circulation health newsletter. CSPI provides valuable, objective information to the public; represents citizens' interests before legislative, regulatory, and judicial bodies; and ensures that advances in science are used for the public good. CSPI is supported largely by the 850,000 subscribers to Nutrition Action Healthletterand by foundation grants.

The Nutrition Policy Associate advocates for improved nutrition and health policy with local, state and federal policy makers, encourages the food industry to improve their products and practices, and engages health professionals, academics, and concerned citizens in supporting nutrition policy. This position reports to the Director of Nutrition Policy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assist Director of Nutrition Policy with lobbying activities, coalition building and grassroots organizing for nutrition policies, programs, and funding.
• Help advocate for nutrition policies at the national, state and local level.
• Assist with policy research and writing projects including drafting reports, correspondence, fact sheets and other advocacy materials.
• Help develop advocacy materials for policy makers.
• Cultivate support for nutrition policies from health professionals, university faculty, organizations and concerned citizens.
• Represent CSPI at conferences, meetings and in coalitions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MS, MPH, MPP) in health, policy or nutrition and 3 years of professional policy experience, or a BS degree in one of these areas plus 7 years of professional policy experience.
• Excellent research and writing skills with the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including public speaking experience.
• Knowledge of the legislative process; lobbying or other legislative experience desirable.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, and government regulations.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and with supervision; and ability and willingness to work as part of a team.
• Computer proficiency with MSOffice and experience with Internet-based research tools.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities and frequent deadlines.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts, including applying concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to work additional hours as needed.
• Commitment to CSPI’s work and mission.

Farm and Food Policy Analyst at Cornucopia Institute

For more information visit: www.cornucopia.org/Jobs/Farm_and_Food_Policy_Analyst_JobDescription.pdf

The Cornucopia Institute is seeking a fulltime employee to join its team conducting research and investigations into organic and sustainable food and farming production practices. This individual will also be involved with networking and communicating with farmers, consumers, food processors, retailers, organic certifiers and other NGOs. A heartfelt passion for protecting the environment, the good food movement, humane livestock husbandry and social/economic justice for family farmers is imperative.

The Cornucopia Institute is a farm policy research group focusing on research and education. It has become one of the most preeminent and aggressive organic and sustainable food and farming watchdogs. We seek to protect the integrity of the organic food label from governmental regulatory indifference as well as from agribusinesses cutting corners so as to profiteer from unethical and questionable food and agricultural practices.

Primary responsibilities for this position include:

 Performing investigative projects under the direction of senior Cornucopia staff.

 Developing documents and reports on investigative projects.

 Interacting with farmers, corporate officials, retailers, and the media.

 Providing materials for promulgating news releases and for posting on Cornucopia’s webpage, in Cornucopia’s newsletter, and through its social media outreach.

 Attending relevant conferences and meetings (governmental, agricultural, trade shows, networking with other NGOs, etc.).

Public Health Law Positions

The Visiting Attorney, Public Health Law Practice position is a post-J.D. experience designed to develop skills and competencies in practice-based public health law that will advance participating attorneys’ public health law careers and prepare them for employment within local, state, federal or tribal public health organizations.

Description
The National Coordinating Center of the Network for Public Health Law at William Mitchell College of Law will choose five applicants to hold a full-time, one-year appointment in one of five host sites, with funding provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

• American Public Health Association, Partnership for Public Health Law, Washington, D.C., Supervising Mentor: John Bloom, J.D., Director
• Mid-States Region, Network for Public Health Law, University of Michigan School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI, Supervising Mentor: Denise Chrysler, J.D., Director
• Public Health Law Center, William Mitchell College of Law, St. Paul, MN, Supervising Mentor: Doug Blanke, J.D., Director
• Public Health Law & Policy, Oakland, CA, Supervising Mentor: Linda Merola, J.D., Senior Staff Attorney
• Western Region, Network for Public Health Law, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Supervising Mentor: James G. Hodge Jr., J.D., L.L.M., Director

Note: Applicants should not contact these sites directly. All inquiries should be e-mailed to fellowships@networkforphl.org. Please read the Frequently Asked Questions prior to inquiry.

The visiting attorneys will work as staff attorneys at the host site, participating in site activities and providing legal technical assistance to public health agencies, researchers and other requestors. The recipients will work under the supervision of a senior mentor, interact and learn with a cohort through in-person and virtual monthly meetings, and attend the National Public Health Law Conference in October. The visiting attorneys will be expected to complete a special in-depth project, and will be given opportunities and guidance to complete core competency experiences for successful public health law practice. Some travel to national and regional meetings will be required.

The program builds upon the National Coordinating Center of the Network and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s public health law initiative and the strengths of the host sites, offering recipients networks of public health agency leaders and counsel. Broad exposure to current legal issues faced by public health agencies and opportunities to research these issues and develop practical guidance provides a rich milieu in which to hone legal skills relevant for a career in public health law.

Stipend and Benefits
The recipients will receive a salary in the range of $50,000 - $60,000 plus benefits, including health coverage. This salary may be adjusted slightly, depending on post J.D. or other experience and host site location, taking into consideration federal geographic pay grade differentials.

Eligibility
Applicants must hold a J.D. or equivalent degree in law (or receive one by June 30, 2012). Preference will be given to applicants with 1-2 years experience in law or public health (acquired while on the job, in school or a combination) and an M.P.H. or equivalent public health degree or experience. Applicants must be a licensed member of the bar in a state or be registered to take the bar exam in July, 2012. They must be U.S. Citizens, U.S. Resident Non-Citizen Nationals, or Resident Foreign Nationals at the time of application. Host sites are equal opportunity employers.

Key Dates

• Online Application Open: March 8, 2012
• Letters of Reference: submitted by April 25, 2012
• Application Deadline:  May 1, 2012 – 3 p.m. ET
• Award Announcements: July 2, 2012
• Visiting Attorney, Public Health Law Practice Start Date: September 17, 2012

For application information, go directly to the position announcement.

Land Use Program Manager - Missoula, Montana

Land Use Program Manager to help develop community food system: Community Food & Ag Coalition


DESCRIPTION
The Community Food & Agriculture Coalition (CFAC) is seeking a Land Use
Program Manager to lead our grassroots farmland conservation and beginning
farmer efforts.  The position is responsible for tracking subdivisions on
agricultural land, advocating and organizing for farmland conservation policy
in the City and County of Missoula, and developing CFAC’s beginning farmer
initiatives.  More information about these programs is on our website:
www.MissoulaCFAC.org.  This is a full-time, year-round position that reports
directly to the Executive Director.

CFAC’s mission is to develop and strengthen Missoula County's food system:
promoting sustainable agriculture; building regional self-reliance; and
assuring all citizens equal access to healthy, affordable, and culturally-
appropriate food.  CFAC facilitates dialogue, education, and collaboration
within the community, encouraging creative problem-solving and proactive
policy advocacy.  It is essential for all staff, including the Land Use
Program Manager, to embrace this vision and grassroots approach.  As a small
organization with a holistic mission, all staff contribute to projects across
the organization, regardless of their job titles.

RESPONSIBILITIES
•       Staff CFAC’s Land Use & Ag Viability Committee, scheduling and
attending monthly meetings and carrying out tasks between meetings.
•       Represent CFAC in public meetings regarding subdivisions, farmland
conservation, and beginning farmers, along with Executive Director.
•       Reach out to CFAC members and general public through earned media.
•       Organize events to educate and update CFAC members about the land use
and organizational work.
•       Send timely action alerts and newsletters to CFAC members.
•       Maintain CFAC’s website.
•       Write, track, and report on grants related to farmland conservation
and beginning farmer support.
•       Track past and future land use policy decisions by Missoula’s City
Council, County Commission, and Montana State Legislature.
•       Research strategies to conserve farmland and support beginning
farmers.
•       Actively maintain solid public relations with elected officials,
government agencies, and community organizations and businesses.
•       Support communications through the news and social media as well as
written reports.
•       Present CFAC’s work at conferences and forums across the state and
country along with Executive Director.
•       Manage interns and volunteers.
•       Report to the Executive Director regularly, while maintaining self-
direction.

QUALIFICATIONS
•       In-depth experience with land use planning, agriculture, and
agricultural resources.
•       Experience with grassroots organizing and conservation.
•       College degree, graduate degree preferred.
•       Understanding of and support for CFAC’s vision of food, agriculture,
and conservation.
•       Excellent communication, public speaking, writing, research, and
project management skills.
•       Ability to work independently, take initiative, meet deadlines, and
relate cooperatively and constructively with a diversity of stakeholders.
•       Solid computer skills, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
•       Experience working collaboratively with government agencies.
•       Experience with media relations is preferred.
•       Fluency with social media (e.g., Facebook) and website maintenance is
preferred.
•       Valid driver’s license and ability to travel.

COMPENSATION
Depending on experience, the Land Use Program Manager will earn $30,000-34,000
per year, plus a generous benefits package that includes paid vacation, sick
days, and health insurance.


To apply, please send a resume, including 3 professional or academic
references, and cover letter to Bonnie Buckingham at Bonnie@MissoulaCFAC.org.
The cover letter should cover the following: a) applicant’s personal
connection to CFAC’s mission and work; b) applicant’s past experience with
agriculture, land use planning, and organizational leadership that will
strengthen CFAC’s farmland conservation and beginning farmer initiatives; and
c) specific skills and disposition that qualify the applicant for the position
and organization (e.g., research, collaboration, writing, public speaking,
fundraising, government and media relations, etc.).  The deadline for
applications is April 9, 2012, however, the position will remain open until
filled.