Company description
The Council for Healthy Food Systems (CHFS) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, focused on providing educational programs and resources that support farmers and local food producers in building ecologically and economically sustainable operations.
Job description
The Farmer Support & Regulatory Navigation Manager is a senior role focused on helping Texas farmers and ranchers navigate regulatory and government program systems. The Manager develops clear, accessible materials and provides hands-on support to help producers understand requirements, identify options, and resolve barriers when systems break down. The Manager serves as a translator between farmers and institutions—researching unfamiliar regulations, assessing how they apply in specific situations, and turning complex requirements into clear, actionable guidance.
This role is ideal for a practical, people-centered problem solver who enjoys working through complex rules with people, exercising judgment, and helping individuals move forward.
The Manager plays a central role in building CHFS’s new Regulatory Support and Resource Referral Help Desk. During program launch, the Manager will work directly with farmers and respond to inquiries; over time, the role shifts toward handling complex cases, refining tools and materials, maintaining agency relationships, and ensuring the program remains responsive to real farmer needs. This is not a legal representation role or a call center position. While familiarity with regulatory and government program environments is required, CHFS does not expect candidates to be experts in all applicable regulations at the outset; the ability to learn new frameworks and apply them thoughtfully is essential. We expect this to be learned-on-the-job; we value judgment over polish.
Compensation: $65,000/year; 3-year grant-funded position.
Key Responsibilities:
Program Development, Education & Outreach
This work focuses on translating regulatory and program requirements into practical
tools and support for farmers.
● Research and monitor regulations applicable to small farms and ranches in Texas related to production, processing, marketing, and distribution.
● Exercise professional judgment to interpret regulatory frameworks and identify practical ways for farmers to comply with requirements or access programs.
● Develop clear, plain-language handouts, guidance materials, and tools that translate regulatory and program requirements into actionable steps for producers.
● Maintain and update government agency and allied NGO resources and referral options, including ongoing communication with USDA and other agency staff to
ensure accuracy and alignment.
● Design and refine intake and conversation tools that help farmers clearly explain their situation, while gathering the information needed to provide effective support.
● Provide guidance and case management support for Call Line participants facing regulatory issues or procedural barriers to accessing programs and services.
Farmer Advocacy & Case Navigation
● Serve as a trusted, consistent point of contact for farmers seeking help navigating regulatory requirements or accessing government programs.
● Listen carefully to individual circumstances and tailor guidance to fit each operation’s scale, capacity, and goals.
● Identify procedural barriers, misalignments, or gaps in agency processes and work with partners to resolve or escalate issues when appropriate.
● Provide follow-up support to ensure farmers understand next steps and feel confident moving forward.
Regulatory Education & Conference Planning
● Co-develop and implement annual regulatory education plans in partnership with the Program Director and the Grants and Program Intake Coordinator.
● Support planning and delivery of regulatory education sessions at CHFS’s annual Conference, including content development and participant resources.
● Represent CHFS at conferences and outreach events to recruit participants, strengthen partnerships, and raise awareness of our services.
Who Thrives in This Role
This role is a strong fit for someone who:
● Is comfortable digging into unfamiliar government rules or programs and figuring out how they work in practice
● Can explain complex information without jargon or condescension
● Enjoys problem solving in situations where the “right answer” is not obvious
● Respects farmers’ expertise and lived experience
Qualifications
Experience may come from government, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, extension services, legal support roles, or other public-facing systems navigation work.
● Experience providing technical assistance, program navigation, case management, or regulatory support to farmers or other small businesses or community members.
● Experience in regulatory programs, USDA programs, regulatory compliance, legal research, or related fields.
● Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into accurate, accessible resources.
● Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
● Ability to handle complex or sensitive participant cases with professionalism and accuracy.
● Ability to manage multiple program phases, timelines, and deliverables.
Preferred Skills
● Knowledge of USDA policies, funding programs, agricultural regulations, or federal referral systems.
● Experience developing educational materials, intake scripts, or marketing plans.
● Experience managing intake processes or supporting clients/customers in a regulatory environment.
● Legal background or licensure is a benefit but not required; this role focuses on education, referral, and regulatory navigation rather than legal representation.
Benefits & Work Culture
● Flexible schedule and remote work/ office from home
● Collaborative, mission-driven team environment
● Paid time off and holidays; also paid medical leave after 1 year
Compensation
this position is: salaried, $50,000 - $75,000
Location
job can be done remotely
Application instructions
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Deadline
no deadline