Climate Campaign Director Position at NYFC

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Climate Campaign Director Position Available at the National Young Farmers Coalition – 2021

The National Young Farmers Coalition (NYFC) seeks a Climate Campaign Director to lead our efforts to win federal climate policy that is bold, equitable, and honors the experience and potential of young farmers and farmers of color. This role will build on a candidate’s skills and experience in agricultural and climate change policy, government relations, and grassroots engagement to deliver on our young farmers’ needs and priorities on climate in Washington, DC. The Climate Campaign Director will work with our farmer-led policy committee, organization leadership, and coalition partners to set our climate priorities and strategies. They will act as the primary policy lead on climate by building Hill and Agency relationships to advance our priorities through legislative and administrative change. They will represent Young Farmers in climate coalitions and build organizational partnerships. Finally, they will work with our grassroots team to engage farmers in opportunities to share their climate stories and advocate for swift and bold action on climate.

All staff are currently remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic; we strongly prefer that candidates be able to work regularly from our Capitol Hill office at 110 Maryland Avenue, NE, Suite 505, Washington, DC when public health and safety guidelines allow for office reopening, likely in September 2021.

The National Young Farmers Coalition is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, political orientation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, people of working-class backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ people, or those who are members of other marginalized communities. Our job descriptions are general overviews, not a mandatory comprehensive list. If you feel passionate about our efforts and believe that you have the skills to successfully do this job, we want to hear from you!

Climate Campaign Directory Responsibilities

Policy and Campaign Strategy (60%)

• Work with member-led Policy Committee, organization leadership, and coalition partners to develop administrative, regulatory, and legislative priorities on climate.
• Direct climate campaign strategy and implementation with support from Young Farmers Organizing & Advocacy Director, grassroots staff, and in coordination with Coalition chapters, members, and external organizational partners.
• Lead cross-portfolio coordination with conservation and land policy staff on climate change and agriculture-related policy development, advocacy, and member engagement.
• Apply an equity lens to all work and strive to advance racial equity both within the Coalition’s internal processes and through its external campaigns and policy goals related to climate justice and a just transition.

Policy Advocacy, Analysis, Communications (30%)

• Advocate on Capitol Hill and with executive branch agencies (USDA, EPA, White House, etc.) on a regular basis and become a trusted voice for the young farmer perspective on climate and agriculture.
• Assemble and support the drafting of policy materials, including policy papers, testimony, legislation, rulemaking comment letters, and program analysis reports.
• Engage farmer members in federal advocacy opportunities on climate and work with grassroots team to execute grassroots farmer actions.
• Represent Young Farmers at relevant agency and coalition meetings, as well as Congressional hearings and briefings focused on climate action policy.
• Track and analyze federal legislation related to climate change.
• Write climate-related policy blog posts and network communications to keep our farmers up-to-date on our climate work.

Cross-Organization Support (10%)

• Contribute to the organization’s annual priority setting, fundraising, and staff meetings.
• Attend and present at farmer conferences, webinars, and roundtables as needed.

Qualifications:

• An understanding of and passion for sustainable agriculture and climate change solutions, and a strong grasp of federal policies and programs that impact climate change, conservation, and working land programs, and young farmers programs including but not limited to key Farm Bill programs.
• Understanding of sustainable agriculture and food systems, the intersection between food and climate justice, and/or its impacts for young farmers and BIPOC farmers and communities.
• Significant knowledge of the federal policy-making process.
• Demonstrated understanding of how racial equity and climate justice intersects with agriculture and food systems and an ability to apply an equity 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.
• Enthusiasm for and experience in cultivating lasting relationships and accountable partnerships with a diverse body of stakeholders and decision-makers.
• 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.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to stay on task when managing multiple projects.

Additional Experience

The following skills are desired but not required:

• Experience working in a Congressional office or federal agency.
• Background with grassroots advocacy campaigns (e.g. digital organizing, lobby days, etc).
• Experience with climate change research and science communication on complex environmental issues.
• Experience with multi-organization grassroots coalitions, facilitation, and consensus-building.
• Research skills with strong attention to detail.
• Bilingual fluency in a language other than English.

Salary and Benefits

• Full-time schedule, typically 9am-5pm Monday through Friday.
• $74,832 – $79,636 based on experience, in accordance with our organization’s Compensation Guidelines
• Young Farmers offers a competitive benefits package, including health and dental insurance, retirement matching, generous paid time off, paid family leave, and a sabbatical policy.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and at least one writing sample related to climate policy that includes policy recommendations (examples one and two) to jobs@youngfarmers.org with the subject line “Climate Campaign Director” by August 23rd.

 

• Learn more about farming and food jobs and internships, or learn how to post a job, internship, or apprenticeship opportunity on beginningfarmers.org here.