Organization Description:

CFSC is the premier national organization promoting innovative community-based solutions to the nation’s food, farming, and nutrition problems. Established in 1994, CFSC has 250 organizational members across the US and Canada. We are dedicated to building strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food to all people at all times. The Coalition achieves its goals through a comprehensive blend of training, networking, and advocacy to further the efforts of grassroots groups to create effective solutions from the ground up. For more on our organization, see http://www.foodsecurity.org.

Job Description:

The Policy Director will direct policy work for both the National Farm to School Network, a collaborative program of the CFSC and the Center for Food & Justice, Occidental College, and the Community Food Security Coalition.   S/he works as a team with staff members, and collaborating organizations to formulate and implement strategies to further policy objectives. The Policy Director acts as a conduit to translate policy goals into action by connecting with advocacy groups, policymakers and their staff, and other actors in the domestic policy community. This position requires a high level of autonomy, initiative, and ability to work with a range of players in the policy world.

Responsibilities:

• The Policy Director will work full time to coordinate the CFSC and the National Farm to School Network federal policy programs from our Washington, DC office. 
• Identifies and cultivates contacts among research, advocacy, administration and congressional audiences 
• Represents CFSC and participates in conferences, coalition meetings and public events 
• Plans, coordinates, and hosts events, such as Hill briefings, press conferences, and public debates
• Monitors and tracks policy developments and current issues
• Draft articles, policy analyses, legislation, and other written products as needed
• Directs outreach and organizing efforts to build a national network of activists informed on food and farm policy
• Develops and maintain relations with key partners and networks, coalitions, and organizations critical to the achievement of CFSC policy goals
• Develop and implement federal legislative and administrative policy strategies to move priorities forward
• Manage the policy formation and prioritization process, including regional and state outreach
• Work with policy committees, direct policy program staff and interns

Qualifications:

• Live in the DC area or be willing to move there by September 08
• A minimum of five years experience in federal policy advocacy, including working with Congress and USDA.
• Experience in managing staff, and in working in a collaborative setting
• Experience in organizing toward a policy goal
• Knowledge of and past work experience in nutrition, agricultural or food systems policy
• Masters degree in agriculture, city and regional planning, public health, nutrition, public policy or related field preferred
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Ability to travel nationally as needed
• Ability to work in an independent office, yet as part of a geographically diverse team. 
• Ability to handle multiple projects in a fast moving environment
• Commitment to food security issues a plus

Compensation and Benefits:
Compensation for this position is based on qualifications and experience. CFSC offers excellent health and dental insurance, retirement, flexible holidays, vacation and sick leave benefits.

Application:   Send resume, cover letter, salary history, 1-2 short writing samples, and contact information for three references to Andy Fisher at .   Deadline for applications is August 8, 2008, with a preferred (but flexible) start date in September 2008.