Senior Policy Coordinator

Practical Farmers of Iowa is Hiring a Senior Policy Coordinator

About PFI

Practical Farmers of Iowa is a nonprofit organization that has worked to equip farmers to build resilient farms and communities since 1985. We create learning opportunities via farmer-led events on-farm research and educational content through our robust network of farmers. We also provide funding and technical assistance to help farmers adopt regenerative farming practices and grow farm businesses. Our vision is an Iowa with healthy soil healthy food clean air clean water resilient farms and vibrant communities.

This work has always been rooted in our value of welcoming everyone and creating a culture of mutual respect. We believe that a diversity of people ideas and perspectives strengthens our ability to find creative solutions enriches our understanding and broadens our impact. At Practical Farmers we celebrate this diversity and are committed to ensuring that our policies and practices create an equitable and inclusive workplace. We take equal opportunity seriously and seek to empower and support all applicants and teammates.

Practical Farmers offers a flexible supportive and fast-paced work environment. Professional development is a core part of our culture and team members are encouraged to take independent initiative to help fulfill our mission.

About the Position

Were seeking a senior policy coordinator whos committed to positive farmer-centered solutions who will build on our policy work. This includes both grassroots work with farmers and members as well as grasstops efforts to build relationships with key individuals who have connections to decision-makers and lawmakers at the state and federal levels.

To be successful in this position its vital to understand Practical Farmers policy stance. Our policy work is focused on nonpartisan solutions-based policies that are limited to specific line with our mission we currently support policies that strengthen working lands conservation support beginning farmers boost local and regional food systems boost sustainable agriculture research and increase access to crop insurance.

As a nonpartisan organization PFI does not support or endorse political campaigns. PFI also does not support specific regulations or actions against a specific agricultural practice policy or entity. Our policy direction is set by our board of directors who receive recommendations from our membership.

Our policy work is housed within our farm viability department which creates solutions to barriers farmers face to their farm business and conservation goals. We make key connections across the food and agriculture supply chain develop strategic partnerships and shape the policies that encourage resilient farms to thrive.

At the grassroots level our policy work seeks to ensure PFI member priorities are shared with policymakers and with state and federal leaders. As the senior policy coordinator you will work closely with our policy committee which consists of a diverse cross-section of the PFI membership and with PFI members to determine top issues and develop and launch campaigns.

In this role youll be responsible for coaching farmers to share their top priorities. Youll write letters to the editor and op-eds organize our policy committee and develop and launch campaigns tied to PFIs approved policy areas. If youre passionate about supporting PFIs policy areas believe in staying focused on solutions and want to ensure our farmers voices are heard this is your role!

Duties

• Grow and facilitate grasstops policy networks on existing and new policy areas through our board-approved policy processes
• Facilitate events and meetings with local state and national groups to advance policy goals.
• Facilitate collaboration between departments and teams to achieve policy-related project deliverables.
• Train PFI members and farmers to speak with policymakers and the media and organize local campaigns.
• Plan events on policy topics such as farm visits fly-ins senate hearings and listening sessions as well as policy-focused field days or annual conference sessions.
• Write articles stories and reports for PFI publications on farm bill programs and other policy matters.
• Manage grants campaigns and policy event projects
• Other duties as assigned or volunteered to support the operations department or team projects.

Required Qualifications and Characteristics

• Familiarity with how policy works at a local state and federal level
• Knowledge of Midwestern agriculture and the barriers and opportunities to achieving PFIs mission
• Familiarity with farm bill programs (CSP EQIP FMPP etc.) and research titles (AMS BFRDP SARE OREI GusNIP)
• Knowledge of and empathy for farmers and landowners across the spectrum of production practices and philosophies
• Experience with grassroots organizing and cultivating local leadership
• Experience with public relations public speaking and diverse media communications
• Experience coaching constituents to present to their policymakers
• Skilled at designing managing and launching campaigns and events
• Ability to organize committees and make action plans based on committee governance
• Ability to write articles blogs and op-eds
• Experience evaluating campaigns and analyzing constituent feedback for data-driven decision-making
• Problem-solving and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to develop and manage a detailed schedule and work plan with little oversight
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills
• Strong event and meeting facilitation skills for both in-person and virtual settings
• Able to learn and adapt quickly
• Self-motivated and able to take initiative
• Willing and able to travel up to 20% of the time to events throughout the region and to Washington D.C.
• Able to respect differing perspectives
• Efficient and effective in fast-paced environments
• Able to meet deadlines and receive feedback constructively
• Able to work independently and within a team

Desired Qualifications and Characteristics

• Three years of professional experience in a policy-related role
• Existing knowledge of PFIs programs
• A mindset of continuous improvement
• Appreciation and passion for PFIs organizational mission

This is a full-time position based in our Ames Iowa office with potential for a hybrid schedule. This position requires seasonal travel around Iowa Washington D.C. and surrounding states. The salary range for this position is $55000 to $59000 with annual opportunity for merit salary increases and position advancement.

PFI values its employees and is a flexible and supportive work environment. We offer employees a competitive benefits package that includes employee health insurance with 100% employer-paid premium generous paid time off flexible hours six weeks of fully paid parental leave and 5% automatic 401k contribution after one year of employment.

We also encourage employee professional development and offer a range of specialty benefits employees can use to support their wellness sustainability and financial goals. Examples of our specialty benefits include contributions towards spouse or dependent health insurance stipends for remote or hybrid workers and reimbursements for wellness costs local food purchases or CSA subscriptions student loans or eco-friendly purchases. Practical Farmers is a family-friendly employer.

Please apply by completing an application (including contact information cover letter resume and references). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.