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

• 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

Salary: $65,000+, dependent on role and expectations

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