Friends of the Earth is hiring Sustainable Food Systems Campaigner (Washington D.C.)
Jennifer Bock
Position: Sustainable food systems campaigner
Reports to: Food and Technology Program Director
Location: Washington, D.C.
Friends of the Earth-U.S., founded by David Brower in 1969, is the U.S. voice of the world’s largest federation of grassroots environmental groups, with a presence in 75 countries. Friends of the Earth works to defend the environment and champion a more healthy and just world. We are a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for more than 45 years, resulting in landmark environmental laws, precedent-setting legal victories and groundbreaking reforms of domestic and international regulatory, corporate and financial institution policies.
To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment. Our current campaigns focus on promoting clean energy and solutions to climate change, ensuring the food we eat and products we use are sustainable and safe for our health and the environment, and protecting marine ecosystems and the people who live and work near them. This work is carried out by our team of staff in our Berkeley, California and Washington, D.C. offices.
Corporate-controlled, chemical intensive industrial food production is increasingly harmful to people and the planet, contributing to hunger, disease, poverty and severe environmental damage. Simultaneously, this “too big to fail” system leaves us vulnerable to climate chaos and other disruptions which threaten food security and our ability to feed growing populations.
Friends of the Earth’s Food and Technology Program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy and just—the food system of the future. We carry out market and policy campaigns aimed at protecting pollinators, reforming animal agriculture and reducing the harmful environmental, health and social impacts of industrial agriculture while advocating for humane, resilient, regenerative and just agro-ecological food production. We also work to ensure the safe and precautionary management of chemicals and emerging technologies.
Basic function
We are seeking to hire a talented and dedicated individual to support our policy and markets campaigns and help build the movement to transform our broken industrial agriculture system into one that is healthy, sustainable and just.
Principal duties and responsibilities
- Conduct policy research and analysis to develop reports and articles, factsheets, web content, press materials, action alerts and other campaign materials regarding human health, sustainable and organic food systems, conventional agriculture, agribusiness, pesticides and pollinators to educate the public, allies, opinion leaders, policymakers and the press.
- Engage and lobby policy makers at federal and state level on food and agriculture issues including organic agriculture, pesticides, conservation and crop insurance, among other things.
- Organize and mobilize a broad, diverse and powerful base of supporters and allies in support of marketplace and policy campaigns.
- Coordinate and collaborate with a wide variety of allies (environmental, environmental justice, food justice, farming, gardening, food, consumer, faith-based, labor, parents, women’s, social justice, student, health, scientists, sustainable businesses, etc.).
- Represent Friends of the Earth in legislative and federal agency meetings, briefings and other public events in support of campaign objectives.
- Coordinate events such as panel discussions, film screenings, rallies and weeks of action.
- Coordinate and implement grassroots and grasstops organizing and public education campaigns.
- Respond to information requests from activists, coalition members and media.
- Other responsibilities as assigned.
Requirements
- Two or more years of experience in campaigning, grassroots/field organizing, policy advocacy (not necessarily environmental), and/or legislative work at the federal or state level, preferably at a campaign-oriented organization.
Skills and knowledge
- A demonstrated commitment to the environment and social justice.
- Experience with strategic corporate engagement and market/corporate campaign organizing.
- Background in science or science policy and agroecology preferred but not required.
- Desire to have a major impact on policy debates through hard-hitting advocacy.
- Ability to balance and successfully complete a wide range of campaign activities including advocacy, online and offline organizing, public speaking, policy development, research, communications and fundraising.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to inspire trust and respect among colleagues and external partners.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and tasks at once in a self-directed manner, ability to work collaboratively as part of a fast-moving and results-oriented team, ability to work in coordination with a diverse group of coalition partners and ability to work effectively in a changing environment.
- Sophisticated oral and written communication skills and comfort with presenting material to a wide range of audiences, including the public, the press, businesses and government officials.
- Knowledge and understanding of legislative and executive branch processes and strategic approach to both policy and politics.
- Excellent decision-making skills, professional initiative, time management, prioritization and networking skills, demonstrated initiative, flexibility and creativity.
- Willing and able to travel.
To apply:
Click here to apply. No mail applications or phone calls. Position will remain open until filled.
Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff.