Company description

The DC Food Policy Council (FPC) is a coalition of public and government food leaders appointed by Mayor Muriel Bowser to create a just, healthy, equitable and sustainable food system for all by engaging, empowering, and informing DC residents and effecting positive policy change.

This position is located within the Office of Planning (OP), Food Policy Division. OP has the lead responsibility for planning the long-term growth of the District of Columbia (D.C.) and provides the vision, framework and principles that guide land use change, growth, and development of an equitable and vibrant city. OP undertakes citywide and neighborhood planning and engagement; urban design and development review; historic preservation; mapping and data analysis; and serves as the official Census State Data Center. OP is the steward of the District’s Comprehensive Plan, which advances housing, economic recovery, racial equity, resilience, and coordination of public resources and civic infrastructure.

The Food Policy Division has a food policy team, led by the mayor-appointed D.C. Food Policy Director, that works to make the district’s food system more equitable, healthier, and sustainable. The position functions as Policy Analyst responsible for conducting research, data analysis, and policy development and analysis, centering their work on resident input and racial equity best practices. The position will include organizing public events, public speaking and presentations, and interagency and intra-agency collaboration, with a heavy emphasis on relationship and trust building. The position would focus on making the communities of the district healthier, sustainable, and economically vibrant; enhancing District resident input in D.C. food policies and programs; and contributing to carrying out the mission of OP.

Job description

Policy Analyst, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure
The position is in the District's Food Policy team at the Office of Planning, and will function as a Policy Analyst responsible for conducting research, data analysis, and policy development and analysis related to supporting resilient food system infrastructure that enables more purchasing from regional farms and food producers. The position will include finding innovative solutions to the District's food procurement, including exploring the next steps towards central food processing, aggregated purchasing, partnerships with private and public institutions, and infrastructural needs for local growers and producers. This position will have a heavy emphasis on relationship and trust-building through community events, public speaking and presentations, and facilitation of interagency collaboration. The ideal candidate has experience in food systems, institutional procurement, and research, with existing relationships in the District's food system.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts research and analysis pertaining to resilient food systems infrastructure, including cold storage, urban agriculture needs, food processing, food access, entrepreneurship, workforce development, sustainability, and health equity. Research methods include, but are not limited to, collecting best practices from other states; analyzing legislation, regulation, and budget documents; conducting stakeholder interviews; and collaborating with partner agencies. Prepares technical food policy reports, including scoping, writing, editing, and reviewing information.
• Compiles, verifies, and analyzes data on government procurement, budgets, stakeholder interviews, and challenges for residents and local businesses to be used in the development of studies and projects. Researches best practices pertaining to food and related systems, drawing on local, national and international case studies and examples, as appropriate, particularly with regard to Central Food Processing Facilities and procurement changes that prioritize values-based purchasing. Analyzes and distills best practice research into clear summaries and written products.
• Collaborates with key partner agencies involved in food, procurement, and related systems and programs, including the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Office of Contracting and Procurement, and the Departments of Health, Human Services, Small and Local Business Development, Corrections, Youth and Rehabilitation Services, Parks and Recreation, and Energy and the Environment.
• Organizes and hosts food policy and planning meetings, including stakeholder outreach, meeting preparation, presentation, and facilitation, notetaking and following up on key items.

Compensation

this position is: salaried, $75,000 - $100,000

Application instructions

Deadline

June 11, 2025