Organic Trade Association, Washington, DC

Director of Legislative Affairs
Washington, DC
August 2016

The Organic Trade Association (OTA) seeks a full-time Director of Legislative Affairs, based in its Washington, DC headquarters, with occasional travel nationwide. OTA is the membership-based business association for organic agriculture and products in North America. OTA is the leading voice for organic trade in the United States, representing over 8,500 organic businesses across 49 states. Its members include growers, shippers, processors, certifiers, farmers’ associations, distributors, importers, exporters, consultants, retailers, and others.

Working under the supervision of and in collaboration with OTA’s CEO/Executive Director, the Director of Legislative Affairs implements OTA’s strategy through outreach to Congress, legislative analysis, coalition building and advocacy; and assists the CEO/Executive Director in development of policy strategy through legislative engagement.

Qualified applicants will possess an excellent relationship development track record, strong analysis, written and oral communications skills, the ability to work independently, and the ability to work in a fast-paced collaborative environment with critical deadlines.

Minimum Requirements:

Experience: Two or more years as a Legislative Aide in the House or Senate; or one or more years as a Legislative Director in the House or Senate

Education: Bachelors Degree; job-related continuing education a plus

Skills/Knowledge: Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships on the Hill and with coalition partners, Ability to engage and mobilize OTA members; Ability to effectively advocate with demonstrated results; Strong analysis, written and oral communications skills; strong computer skills using Microsoft Word, Excel and database applications a must; experience with Capwiz/CQ Roll Call and Salesforce a plus. Knowledge of lobbying disclosure and reporting desirable. Attention to detail, able to work independently and perform routine work, good interpersonal skills, team member. Able to work well in a fast-paced collaborative environment with critical deadlines

Compensation: This is an exempt position and the salary is commensurate with experience. OTA offers a generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance and 401(k).

How to apply: Applications accepted until position is filled. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirements to sjerger@ota.com.

Drake University Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Law

Assistant, Associate, or Professor of Law - 999965
Job Category: Faculty: Law School 

Drake University Law School invites applications from entry level and lateral candidates for a tenure-track or tenured position beginning in the 2017-18 academic year. We are especially interested in candidates with demonstrated interest or experience in Wills and Trusts or Taxation. Qualifications include: a record of academic excellence, substantial academic or practice experience, and a passion for teaching. Appointment rank will be determined commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.Drake University Law School sustains a vibrant intellectual culture, and Des Moines has been recognized as the Best U.S. City for Business (MarketWatch), the Best Place for Young Professionals (Forbes), and as the city with the Highest Median Income (US News/The Today Show). The Law School features innovative and nationally recognized programs in agricultural law, constitutional law, intellectual property, and practical training. Our location in Iowa’s capital city also offers opportunities to participate in the synergy of law and politics.

For more information please see:  http://www.drake.edu/hr/contactinformation/

Career Opportunities in Agricultural & Food Law

When considering an LL.M. in Agricultural & Food Law from the University of Arkansas School of Law, it’s important to consider the career opportunities available upon gaining this credential. Fortunately, the career opportunities in food and agricultural law are numerous, diverse, challenging and rewarding.

For those interested in traditional law firm careers, the LL.M. in Agriculture & Food Law provides specialized education which prepares you to competently advise and represent your clients on issues such as food and beverage regulation; land tenure and estate transfer; and state and federal agricultural and food standards and regulations. These practice areas combine public health concerns and environmental issues with producer and consumer rights. They can provide the basis for a transactional practice or involve challenging and cutting-edge litigation.

The United States Government also offers career opportunities for LL.M. graduates. Agencies such as the USDA and the FDA regulate the food and beverage industries; the USDA administers the extensive federal farm programs. Some positions with the government offer an opportunity to effect policy development; others help to enforce established regulations.

There are many non-profit organizations which seek to advocate on food system issues such as food security, the fair and equitable treatment of farm laborers, environmental protection or the conservation of our agricultural lands. For the LL.M. Agriculture & Food Law graduate, these career opportunities provide an opportunity to impact the legal arena and also impact individual lives.

Finally, as more and more universities recognize the significant value of agriculture and food law courses, academics may be an area where you seek a career. These academic positions may be found in traditional law school environments; extension positions or colleges of agriculture; or university sponsored programs such as the Indigenous Food and Agriculture Initiative at the University of Arkansas School of Law.

This blog post represents only a brief overview of some of the career opportunities available to graduates of the University of Arkansas LL.M. Program in Agricultural & Food Law. If you have questions, comments, or would like more information please contact llm@uark.edu.

Dinah Brothers, LL.M. Candidate

Chicago Organizer - Sustainable Agriculture, Water, and Energy Issues

Chicago Organizer

We are seeking a Regional Organizer based out of our Chicago office to support and help lead our work in several Midwestern states on sustainable agriculture, water, and energy issues.

Contact Email: resumes@fwwatch.org

Post Date: 09.6.16

Job Type: Employee

Office Location: Illinois

Department: Field Organizing

Job Description: 

We are seeking a Regional Organizer based out of our Chicago office to support and help lead our work in several Midwestern states on sustainable agriculture, water, and energy issues. In particular, the new staff person will be: 1) Working with state and local organizations and Food & Water Watch members to advance federal campaign priorities; (2) Supporting state and local organizing efforts around state legislation and local site fights and helping build capacity of those partner organizations.

We seek a talented and strategic organizer to help take us our work to the next level. The new organizer will work to strengthen existing coalition relationships, engage in extensive travel, outreach and public speaking to help build our presence in the region, build relationships with our donors and potential donors, and work with top level volunteers to strategically move our campaigns forward.

Specific Responsibilities

• Build a strong base of organizations and individuals in support of our campaigns.
• Develop strategic campaign plans including long- and short-term goals, strategies and tactics.
• Maintain familiarity with a diverse set of issues and research products, and respond to information requests from activists, coalition members, and media.
• Develop educational materials such as factsheets, action alerts, web site content and newsletter articles on various campaign issues. Maintain activist database and email lists to effectively communicate to members and supporters.
• Develop and implement legislative, field organizing, online, and media strategies in support of these campaigns
• Build strong relationships with state based and grassroots organizations and travel throughout the region
• Provide trainings to grassroots allies and Food & Water watch supporters in organizing strategy and tactical skills
• Participate in membership recruitment and fundraising for Food & Water Watch.
• Coordinate events such as, but not limited to, panel discussions and film screenings
• Engage and train student leaders and supervise interns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Education: College degree or equivalent experience required. Organizing experience as a student preferred.
• Experience: At least one year experience in advocacy on public policy issues, and/or grassroots/field organizing. Prior experience organizing in POC communities a plus.
• Knowledge: Organizing, advocacy and legislative strategy techniques; familiarity with federal and state legislatures; consumer and environmental issues; working with the media. Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Skills: Excellent written and oral communication skills; strong interpersonal and planning; excellent organizational skills. Knowledge of online activism and email listservs.
• Capabilities: Ability to think creatively and quickly to respond to legislative developments and to take advantage of breaking news; demonstrated leadership capability; ability to work well with a wide variety of people and to coordinate diverse tasks; ability to present technical concepts to a mass audience; can-do attitude and commitment to public interest work. Work well under pressure, handle multiple tasks at once, and adapt to changing situations on a daily basis. High level of independent judgment.
• Conditions: Strong interest in and commitment to promoting the goals of Food & Water Watch. Long hours possible, extensive travel possible.
• Applicant must be legally eligible to work in the United States.

Compensation

Competitive salary, depending upon experience. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes 100% employer paid medical/dental/long-term disability, 403(b) retirement plan, and generous paid leave.

How to Apply

Please send a resume, cover letter, writing sample and three references in one document toresumes@fwwatch.org, noting “Chicago Organizer” in the subject line. Position open until filled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Food & Water Watch strives for a diverse work environment and encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, and differently-abled people to apply.

LL.M. Candidate Responsible for Ag & Food Law Jobs Blog

Dinah Brothers is a Texas attorney who is a degree candidate in the LL.M. Program in Agricultural and Food Law at the University of Arkansas School of Law. Prior to attending the Program, Dinah was in private practice in Texas representing healthcare professionals in administrative actions and working in healthcare compliance. In addition to being an attorney, Dinah is also a Registered Nurse. Dinah’s deep family connections, however, are with agriculture. She serves as General Counsel for the PK Ranch, a commercial cow-calf operation in the Texas Panhandle owned by her family.

For the 2016-17 academic year, Dinah will be responsible for the University of Arkansas Ag & Food Law Jobs Blog. If you are interested in posting a job or an internship, please let Dinah know. Our LL.M. candidates, as well as many others who follow this blog, have broad areas of interests, skills, and experiences.

Please contact Dinah at db031@email.uark.edu. Thank you so much.

Two Animal Law Attorney Positions: ALDF and Animal Equality

The Animal Legal Defense Fund is hiring a Staff Attorney 

The staff attorney is responsible for the day-to-day litigation of ALDF’s civil caseload, proactively developing new cases, assisting with ALDF’s legislative needs, as well as representing the organization out of the courtroom. Applications will be accepted through November 1, 2016 and the position will begin no later than December 1, 2016.

For More Information

Contact:  Wendy Cromwell
wcromwell@aldf.org


AND


Animal Equality is hiring a General Counsel

Animal Equality is an international farmed animal advocacy organization that is dedicated to defending animals through public education, campaigns and investigations. Animal Equality has offices in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Venezuela and India and has been regarded as a top charity in recognition of its efficiency in helping animals.

Position Objective:

Reporting to the Executive Director, the General Counsel will oversee all the legal aspects of Animal Equality on an international level safeguarding the organization against any legal risks and advising international management about all legal relevant issues.

Location: Los Angeles, California

For More Information

Contact:  Jose Valle
jobs@animalequality.org

Programs Director: Wallace Center (Arlington, Virginia)

The Wallace Center is hiring for the position of Program Director in their office in Arlington, Virginia.

Job Description:

Programs Director
The Programs Director will provide leadership within the Wallace Center for program management, fund development, and staff development. This position will work closely with the Wallace Center Director to optimize management of current programs and help grow the scope and size of our programs. Programming areas include those within Wallace Center’s market based strategies that focus regional food systems, sustainable agriculture, food safety and capacity building through technical assistance and training programs. Program responsibilities will include designing, implementing and managing the completion of some or all project deliverables including evaluations and reporting. Additionally, the Program Director will manage staff and take steps to mentor and build their capacity for effective project management practices and professional development. As a member of the Wallace Center staff, the Program Director will initiate and direct program/project planning, development of funding, and preparation of major proposals, and when appropriate as part of the Enterprise and Agriculture unit as a whole.

For more information, the following link provides the full job description and application information.

FDA - Congressional Affairs Specialist

Job Overview

Summary

Become a part of the Department that touches the lives of every American!  At the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) you can give back to your community, state, and country by making a difference in the lives of Americans everywhere.  It is the principal agency for protecting the health of citizens.  Join HHS and help to make our world healthier, safer, and better for all Americans.

This position is located in the Office of Finance, Budget and Acquisition, Office of Budget in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Duties

Reviews and analyze current and potential bills and report language of Congressional Appropriations Committees and other Congressional Committees to identify and summarize matters of current interest (such as special reports required by Congress), or items of special interest to be addressed.

Analyzes issues and coordinates comments including formal inquiries from Members of Congress, questions from Congressional staff, testimonies, questions for the record, briefing requests, and recommendations associated with  Congressional Appropriations Committees materials through various offices.

Coordinates the Agency-wide annual congressional appropriations hearing cycle.  As coordinator, maintains schedule of hearing; arranges for the preparation and clearance of opening statements, witness lists, seating chart and congressional justifications with committee staff; provides staff assistance to the Budget Director at the hearing; assigns and review submitted questions for the record; and arranges for the review, editing, clearance and return to the committees of the transcripts of the hearing record with inserts and submitted questions and answers for the record.

Help facilitate internal and external legislative outreach strategy including briefings and rollouts of Agency announcements.

Apply at usajobs.gov

Job Announcement Number:  FDA-00-16-DE-1778207PR