Company description

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (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.

NSAC’s vision of agriculture is one where a safe, nutritious, ample, and affordable food supply is produced by a legion of family farmers who make a decent living pursuing their trade, while protecting the environment, and contributing to the strength and stability of their communities.

NSAC member groups advance common positions to support small and mid-size family farms, protect natural resources, promote healthy rural communities, and ensure access to healthy, nutritious foods by everyone. By bringing grassroots perspectives to the table normally dominated by big business, NSAC levels the playing field and gives voice to sustainable and organic farmers.

Job description

Are you passionate about using the power of policy change to help build a more sustainable and equitable food and farm system? Are you a self-professed policy wonk and curious what it takes to move the needle on pressing national agricultural policy issues like climate change?

The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) is currently seeking a candidate for our year-long Policy Fellowship, beginning in May 2021 and ending in May 2022. This fellowship is a fixed term, full time, non-exempt position that offers benefits as per the employee handbook and is based in our Washington, DC office. All staff are currently remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We strongly prefer that candidates be able to work regularly from our Washington, DC office when public health and safety guidelines allow for office reopening.

NSAC is the leading advocacy organization for federal policy that supports sustainable agriculture and food systems. NSAC’s collaborative work environment offers a unique career opportunity to advance federal sustainable agriculture policy as part of a dedicated and effective team. The Policy Fellow will have the opportunity to directly engage in NSAC’s ongoing legislative and administrative work on a range of policy issues and campaigns, including climate change and conservation, beginning farmers and farmers of color, local and regional food systems, and agriculture policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. 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.

Position Description:

• Conduct research and data analysis to support program oversight and inform future policy development
• Write in-depth policy blogs and reports, and contribute to Federal Register comments (as applicable)
• Track relevant federal legislation on food and agriculture issues
• Support policy staff with outreach and communication to Congressional offices and committees, federal agencies, and administrative officials
• Represent NSAC at agency and coalition meetings, as well as Congressional hearings and briefings
• Work with NSAC staff on racial equity projects and initiatives
• Develop and implement a long-term research or policy project (to be determined)
• Support policy staff with NSAC’s annual priority setting process
• Provide support for NSAC’s member meetings and farmer lobby days
• Provide support for policy staff on monthly Issue Committee calls
• Provide support for other administrative duties
• Assist with other projects and assignments as needed

Qualifications:

• An understanding of and passion for sustainable food and farm issues, including how they intersect with racial equity
• Ability to work independently, collaborate, listen well, build trust, and model healthy conflict resolution
• Can work effectively with diverse groups of individuals and values differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socioeconomic circumstances.
• Basic knowledge of the federal policy-making process
• An understanding that federal policy often has inequitable effects across different communities, and a commitment to apply a racial equity lens to federal policy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent research skills
• Self-motivated, organized, able to ask questions, and stay on task when managing multiple projects with short and long-term deadlines
• Familiarity with Dropbox, Google Suite, and WordPress a plus

Candidates who match 75% of the qualifications are encouraged to apply. NSAC can work with the applicant’s school or program to make the fellowship fit criteria for academic credit or field placement experience.

Compensation & Benefits:

This position is paid at a rate of $19/hr ($39,250/year) and offers excellent benefits including generous vacation and other time-off policy, health, dental, and financial support for professional and personal development.

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.

Compensation

this position is: hourly, $15-20/hr

Application instructions

Deadline

April 18, 2021