Director, Public Policy

National Association of State Departments of Agriculture•Arlington, VA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) is hiring a public policy professional at the Manager, Associate Director, or Director level to advance policies that strengthen American agriculture. The role works closely with state departments of agriculture to develop and advance federal legislative and regulatory priorities, leads NASDA’s Animal Agriculture and Natural Resources and Environment Committees, and builds relationships with policymakers and agricultural stakeholders. The position leads on animal agriculture, natural resources, environmental policy, and agricultural resilience, while supporting other committees and policy initiatives as organizational priorities and member needs require. The position is based at NASDA headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, with a hybrid schedule of three days in the office and two days working from home. It offers opportunities to travel across the United States for meetings and conferences, with possible international travel. The role collaborates with leaders from state departments of agriculture in all 50 states and four U.S. territories, congressional and government entities, and other agricultural stakeholders. NASDA is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association representing state and territorial agriculture departments and works to grow and enhance American agriculture through policy, partnerships, and public engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required.
Manager level: at least two years of relevant experience, including ability to support policy analysis and advocacy, manage defined issues and projects, cultivate stakeholder relationships, and produce clear, accurate written materials with appropriate guidance.
Associate Director level: at least four years of relevant experience and demonstrated ability to manage policy issues, relationships, and projects with increasing independence.
Director level: at least six years of relevant experience, including ownership of complex policy strategy, senior-level external representation, and independent committee or portfolio leadership.
Ability to track and analyze legislation, regulations, program guidance, funding proposals, and emerging issues; assess implications for states; and recommend and execute practical courses of action.
Ability to communicate complex issues through concise written materials and oral advocacy.
Ability to build credibility with members, government officials, partners, and coalitions; navigate differing perspectives; and build consensus without formal authority.
Experience managing multiple priorities, deadlines, deliverables, or related responsibilities with accuracy, accountability, and follow-through.
Ability to collaborate across teams, adapt to changing priorities, learn new issues quickly, and represent NASDA with sound judgment, discretion, and nonpartisanship.

Nice To Haves

Federal agricultural policy experience with Congress or relevant federal agencies, primarily USDA, EPA, and FDA, including legislative, appropriations, or regulatory policy.
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.
Desired area of study: agricultural policy, animal science, environmental science, natural resources, political science, public policy, economics, law, or a related agriculture, food, or nutrition field.
An advanced degree may substitute for a portion of relevant experience where appropriate.

Responsibilities

Lead development and implementation of NASDA’s federal policy portfolio for animal agriculture, natural resources, and environmental issues.
Serve as staff lead for the Animal Agriculture Committee and Natural Resources and Environment Committees; coordinate priorities with committee chairs and co-chairs; prepare 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, and provide timely, concise, decision-ready guidance to NASDA members and leadership.
Build trusted relationships with state agriculture department commissioners, secretaries, directors, and staff, and facilitate consensus across differing state interests.
Develop and sustain partnerships and coalitions with agricultural, natural resources, environmental, and other stakeholders to advance NASDA priorities and strengthen advocacy.
Draft policy briefs, testimony, comment letters, talking points, presentations, and member communications.
Manage projects, timelines, deliverables, and reporting with sound and strategic judgment.
Build subject matter knowledge, independently manage assigned issues, and develop the judgment and relationships needed to assume additional policy and committee leadership.
Collaborate across NASDA policy, communications, trade, partnerships, and other teams; represent NASDA at meetings and events, including travel as required.
Support other NASDA committees and policy initiatives as organizational priorities and member needs require.