Farm Policy Coordinator Job in South Carolina

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South Carolina Farm Policy Coordinator Job Description

The SC Policy Coordinator is a full-time, salaried position (40 hours/week) with the Carolina Farm Stewardship Association (CFSA).  The position is based in Columbia, SC. The SC Policy Coordinator works as part of the Policy Team to advocate for state policies that better support local food, organic farming, and resilient regional food systems.

JOB SUMMARY:

The SC Policy Coordinator works in collaboration with the Policy Director, other CFSA staff, and partner organizations to influence the South Carolina General Assembly, state-level administrative agencies, and land-grant universities on issues of importance to local and organic food and farming in South Carolina. Specific responsibilities include assisting in the development of state-level advocacy goals, advocating for specific policy solutions to achieve those goals, educating state (and occasionally federal) policy-makers on issues of importance to the local and organic food and farming community, and organizing and overseeing grassroots communications campaigns in support of CFSA’s policy goals.

The work will primarily take place remotely in Columbia, SC. CFSA’s main office is located in Pittsboro, NC.

The SC Policy Coordinator reports to the Policy Director.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

STATE POLICY (80%):

• Engage CFSA members and stakeholder communities in developing policy priorities and grassroots campaigns for South Carolina.
• Develop legislative and regulatory proposals and strategies to advance CFSA’s advocacy priorities, and implement strategies to influence legislative and regulatory processes.
• Educate state legislators and their staff and administrative agency personnel regarding CFSA’s advocacy priorities.
• Monitor state legislative developments and organize CFSA grassroots and grasstops responses to issues relevant to CFSA’s policy priorities and overall mission.
• Follow SC news related to food and farming policy, and assist with the development of a monthly e-newsletter compiling policy news for CFSA’s members.
• Coordinate grassroots campaign implementation with CFSA’s Community Mobilizer and partner organizations.
• Coordinate media (traditional and social) outreach, in conjunction with CFSA communications staff and partner organizations, in support of policy campaigns.
• Influence administrators of agriculture programs at SC’s land-grant university to increase resources allocated to organic agriculture research and education.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other academic institutions that are supportive of local, organic food system development.
• Achieve policy wins that advance CFSA’s mission and advocacy priorities.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (10%)

• Provide resources and guidance to local communities (such as food councils, extension offices, community development agencies) to successfully develop and implement policies to promote local food economies, stewardship of agricultural resources, and healthy diets.
• Coordinate with regional and community-based partners to implement local policy campaigns
• Collaborate with allied organizations to offer grassroots leadership development programs.
• Support and strengthen CFSA’s community mobilization network.

OUTREACH AND ADMINISTRATION (10%):

• Increase awareness and visibility of CFSA’s advocacy work, by giving presentations, accepting speaking engagements, and conducting general outreach.
• Represent CFSA at meetings and events held by allied organizations and stakeholders.
• Identify and pursue opportunities to expand CFSA membership and ensure member satisfaction.
• Identify and pursue, in conjunction with other CFSA staff, funding opportunities to support policy initiatives.
• Participate in work planning with the Policy Team on an annual basis, and in weekly meetings of the Policy Team about ongoing work.
• Meet all certification and recordkeeping requirements placed on lobbyists by the state of South Carolina.
• Contribute to quarterly reports documenting the work of the Policy Team.

FARM POLICY COORDINATOR POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Either a JD or master’s degree in public policy plus 3 years’ professional experience, or five years’ professional experience. The required experience must include work on successful policy campaigns (local, state or federal) that engage diverse partners and communities in efforts to promote systemic change. Note that resumes that do not document the required number of years of policy advocacy experience will not be considered.
• Familiarity with the state legislative process and the role of administrative agencies in crafting policy.
• Demonstrated success working on policy campaigns targeting legislative or administrative policy makers.
• Experience engaging the public in grassroots policy action.
• Must be self-directed and capable of successful work outside of a traditional office structure.
• Proven ability to work well within a team, and with individuals, both internal and external, from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Exceptional organization and time management ability, with proven ability to multitask, and consistently meet or exceed deadlines and goals.
• Commitment to sustainable agriculture principles.
• Strong knowledgeable of food systems issues; knowledge of the Carolinas’ food systems preferred.
• Strong analytic skills, including ability to identify systemic problems and develop innovative solutions.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

CFSA offers a competitive non-profit sector salary in the low- to mid- $40K, DOE, with generous vacation and retirement benefits as well as a monthly fringe benefit to support the purchase of health insurance.  CFSA is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from women and people of color.

To apply for the Farm Policy Coordinator Job, submit a resume, list of professional references and a cover letter explaining why you want to work to promote local, organic agriculture to apply@carolinafarmstewards.org with “SC Policy Coordinator” in the subject line.  You will receive electronic confirmation of your email submission.  No calls, please.

Applications for the Farm Policy Coordinator Job are due by August 1, 2016.  The anticipated start date is October 1, 2016.