Policy Manager
Image courtesy of APD Farm
Job Title: Policy Manager
Post Date: February 12, 2025
We are seeking a talented, pragmatic, and committed individual to manage the policy program for Land Core, a 501(c)3 non-profit which works to advance soil health and resilient agricultural systems.
This role is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in working to influence federal policy addressing soil health, human health and agriculture more broadly.
The successful candidate will focus on advancing policy priorities, government affairs, education, and lead outreach for both relevant agencies and Congressional offices, as well as assist in building coalition support for soil health-focused initiatives. This role will help build on current legislative and agency opportunities, while growing the organization’s capacity to respond to new opportunities to advance soil health.
Land Core has established a unique, non-partisan positioning and strategy supporting farmers and building U.S. on-farm resilience. The successful candidate will further advance this messaging and differentiate our work from environmental and climate-focused orgs. Strong interpersonal skills, an aptitude for complexity, and an ability to develop relationships, regardless of political affiliation, will also be essential.
The person who fills the role will work closely with our Executive Director, Director of Strategy, and Programs Manager, as well as with partner organizations and coalition working groups. Training, guidance and support will be provided to the successful candidate.
The outcomes of this work will impact not only Land Core’s public-sector policy, but also our wider education, communications, and cross-sector initiatives.
Roles & Responsibilities:
Conduct outreach to policymakers, including Congressional offices and agency staff
Identify, and help build and maintain, relationships with champions in Congress, at relevant agencies, and with key stakeholders
Liaise with partners and coalitions around specific policy opportunities
Contribute to Land Core’s Federal Soil Health Bill Tracker and related monthly reports
Help draft organization’s policy recommendations, public comments, and related messaging/deliverables
Monitor, review and conduct analyses of relevant legislation
Track policy news and identify/recommend emerging areas of opportunity for the organization and soil health
Track, attend, and summarize relevant hearings
Conduct background research on issues, partners, and stakeholder initiatives
Support and advise on any client projects as needed
Contribute to organizational and policy strategy
Ensure key policy priorities are advancing, in coordination with Programs Manager
Required Experience & Qualifications:
Aptitude for policy and some specific policy experience, ideally in agriculture or related fields
Experience working in food and agriculture, soil health, or related fields
Knowledge of/ability to learn about relevant government agencies and programs that could advance soil health, including (but not limited to) USDA
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience
Desired Qualities:
Strong interest in the organization’s subject matter and mission
Well organized and have an affinity for creating and maintaining systems and structures
Pays close attention to details, deadlines, formatting and consistency
Strong communication skills
Thinks proactively and is comfortable raising and addressing issues as needed
Personable and able to represent themselves professionally to a range of partners and stakeholders
Comfortable working independently and in smaller teams
An ability and willingness to dive into new subject matter expertise will serve the applicant well
Position Details:
Full-time employee (at will employment)
Compensation: $65,000 -75,000 annually, based on experience
Benefits: Retirement Plan (Simple IRA, with 3% employer contributions, and match opportunities; Medical Benefit ($100 per month stipend toward cost of health insurance); Paid Time Off (including sick days, flexible PTO and fixed PTO during winter-shut down and public holidays); Work From Home / Flexible Hours; and Training & Professional Development Stipend.
Work can largely be performed virtually and flexibly; time zones aligned with the continental US (PST - EST) are strongly preferred
Positive, flexible work culture
Land Core is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. People of all backgrounds and abilities are encouraged to apply.
Please send a written expression of interest and your CV to operations@landcore.org with the subject line “Policy Manager”
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until filled. Preferred start time: March 2025
About Land Core:
Land Core is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to advance soil health programs and policies that create value for farmers, businesses and communities. We are hyper-focused on soil health, understanding that it is a keystone issue that directly solves a plethora of urgent economic and natural resource-related issues. We believe that creating the necessary infrastructure and market-based economic incentives will make the rapid adoption and scalability of regenerative soil health possible.
Land Core's work spans federal policy, risk mitigation, statistical model development (managing a team of academics and partners), as well as communication and education around soil health issues more broadly. By focusing on the risk-mitigation associated with soil health, as a way to connect American farmers and ranchers to much-needed economic incentives, the organization has developed a track record of quickly and effectively finding common ground, building diverse coalitions, and supporting legislation.
The organization’s work and mission is executed and amplified through a range of partnerships, including with universities, coalitions, companies, and other non-profit organizations.