Manager/Associate Director/Director, Public Policy

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is seeking a passionate and motivated professional to join its Public Policy team and advance policies that strengthen American agriculture. This position works closely with state departments of agriculture to develop and advance federal legislative and regulatory priorities, serves as the primary staff lead for NASDA's Animal Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environment Committees, and builds relationships with policymakers and agricultural stakeholders to elevate the voice of state departments of agriculture. The position serves as the lead on issues related to animal agriculture, natural resources, environmental policy, and agricultural resilience, while also providing support to other NASDA committees and policy initiatives, such as the Marketing and International Trade Committee, as organizational priorities and member needs require.

This position will have the opportunity to travel across the U.S. for meetings and conferences with the possibility of international travel. The candidate will be able to build relationships and collaborate with leaders from state departments of agriculture from all 50 states and four U.S. territories, congressional and government entities, and other agricultural stakeholders.

Members of the Public Policy team earn a competitive salary and enjoy an excellent work culture at an organization with exceptional perks, including a flexible schedule and an incredible mission.

ABOUT NASDA

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association representing the 50 elected and appointed commissioners, secretaries, and directors of the state departments of agriculture, and four U.S. territories. NASDA grows and enhances American agriculture through policy, partnerships, and public engagement. We recognize that to achieve our goals, we need employees as passionate about agriculture as we are. We strive to create a positive work environment that our employees can be proud of and where they can build their careers.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the development and implementation of NASDA's federal policy portfolio for animal agriculture, natural resources, and environmental issues.
• Priorities for this role may include pet and animal feed, in close coordination with and support of NASDA's Food Safety team, animal disease preparedness and response, meat and poultry inspection, natural disaster assistance and recovery, Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS), conservation, forestry and working lands programs.
• Serve as staff lead for the Animal Agriculture Committee and Natural Resources and Environment Committees, coordinating priorities with the committee's Chair and Co-Chair, preparing meeting agendas, policy materials, recommendations, and follow-up actions.
• Translate member priorities into legislative, regulatory, and appropriations strategies and advocate those positions before Congress and federal agencies.
• Monitor and analyze federal legislation, regulations, funding opportunities, and emerging issues; provide timely, concise, decision-ready guidance to NASDA members and leadership.
• Build trusted relationships with commissioners, secretaries, directors, and staff of state departments of agriculture and facilitate consensus across diverse state interests.
• Develop and sustain partnerships and coalitions with key stakeholders to advance NASDA priorities and elevate the roles of state departments of agriculture in those spaces.
• Develop and lead partnerships with agricultural, natural resources, environmental, and other key stakeholders to build consensus, advance shared priorities, and strengthen advocacy efforts that support NASDA's policies and the role of state departments of agriculture.
• Draft high-quality policy briefs, testimony, comment letters, talking points, presentations, and member communications.
• Manage projects, timelines, deliverables, and reporting with sound and strategic judgment.
• Demonstrate readiness for increasing responsibility by building subject matter knowledge, independently managing assigned issues, and developing the judgment and stakeholder relationships needed to assume additional committee and policy leadership.
• Collaborate across NASDA's policy, communications, trade, partnerships, and other key teams and represent NASDA at meetings and events, including travel as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates may be considered at the Associate Director, or Director level based on the depth, scope, and relevance of their experience.

1. Manager, Public Policy: At least two years of relevant experience, with demonstrated ability to support policy analysis and advocacy, manage defined issues and projects, cultivate stakeholder relationships, and produce clear, accurate written materials with appropriate guidance. The Manager is expected to grow toward greater independence and may assume additional policy or committee leadership based on demonstrated readiness, performance, and organizational needs.
2. Associate Director, Public Policy: At least four years of relevant experience, with demonstrated ability to manage policy issues, relationships, and projects with increasing independence.
3. Director, Public Policy: At least six years of relevant experience, including demonstrated ownership of complex policy strategy, senior level external representation, and independent committee or portfolio leadership.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Congressional and federal policy expertise: Relevant federal agricultural policy experience with Congress or relevant federal agencies (primarily USDA, EPA, and FDA), including legislative, appropriations, or regulatory policy, as well as an understanding of the roles of Congress, federal agencies, and state departments of agriculture. Relevant public policy or government affairs work in these areas is also acceptable.
• Policy analysis and strategic judgment: Ability to track and analyze legislation, regulations, program guidance, funding proposals, and emerging issues; identify implications for states; and recommend and execute practical courses of action.
• Advocacy and communication: Demonstrated ability to translate complex issues into concise, audience-appropriate briefs, testimony, letters, talking points, presentations, and oral advocacy.
• Relationship building and diplomacy: Ability to establish credibility with NASDA members, congressional and government officials, partners, and coalitions; navigate differing state perspectives; and build consensus without relying on formal authority.
• Project management: Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines, deliverables, or related responsibilities with accuracy, accountability, and follow-through.
• Collaboration, adaptability, and integrity: Ability to work effectively across teams, respond productively to changing priorities, learn new issues quickly, and represent NASDA with sound judgment, discretion, and nonpartisanship.
• Education: A bachelor's degree is required. Desired area of study in agricultural policy, animal science, environmental science, natural resources, political science, public policy, economics, law, or related agriculture, food, or nutrition field. An advanced degree may substitute for a portion of relevant experience where appropriate.

WORK SCHEDULE

This is a full-time (40hrs/week), exempt position at the NASDA headquarters at 4350 N Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA. We offer a hybrid work schedule, with three days in the office and two days working from home. Working hours are generally Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm local time.

Benefits:

• PTO for vacation, sick leave, and volunteer hours
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional development
• 401k - 100% match up to 4%

SALARY

The hiring range is $65,000 - $100,000 annually based on experience.

We understand your time is valuable, so we have a rapid and easy application process. Please complete our initial 3-minute, mobile-friendly application and attach your cover letter and resume to your application.

Applications without a cover letter and resume will not be considered. We look forward to meeting you!

If you have issues attaching your cover letter to the application, please email it to careers@nasda.org.

NASDA does not discriminate in employment practices or programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.