National Policy Director

Who We Are

American Farmland Trust is the only national organization that takes a holistic approach to agriculture, focusing on the land itself, the agricultural practices used on that land, and the farmers and ranchers who do the work. Since our founding in 1980, AFT has helped permanently protect over 8 million acres of agricultural lands, advanced environmentally-sound farming practices on millions of additional acres and supported thousands of farm families by improving farm viability and farmland access. Long a pioneering leader, AFT is now riding a new wave of growth, driven by agriculture’s most pressing needs and opportunities. 

Position Summary 

AFT has historically played an outsized role in the development of agricultural policy. At the federal level, AFT led the effort that incorporated a Conservation Title into the 1985 Farm Bill. AFT has also worked actively on other titles of the Farm Bill and on other federal issues, including farm viability, farmland access, and tax policies. At the state level, AFT had a direct role in the creation of 29 farmland protection programs and numerous current use taxation programs—and has successfully championed a wide range of legislation that has advanced conservation practice adoption, farmland retention and access, and farm viability. 

AFT is currently preparing a multiyear strategy aimed at advancing agricultural policy at both the state and federal level, including through the next Farm Bill. To achieve these goals, AFT has been expanding its policy team, which currently includes the Vice President of Policy, Senior Policy Advisor, Conservation & Climate Policy Manager, and Farm Viability Policy Manager, as well as additional policy staff in several states/regions, and consultant support. We are seeking a National Policy Director to expand synergies between our state and federal policy work, increase the capacity of the national team, and provide additional strategic leadership and management. 

Reporting to the Vice President of Policy, the National Policy Director position offers an exciting opportunity to shape and carry out the policy agenda of a growing, forward-looking agricultural conservation organization. In addition to working with AFT’s federal and regional/state policy teams, this role will work closely with AFT’s program, communications, and research staff.  

This position is not place-based and can be performed remotely. However, if performed remotely, applicants should expect to occasionally travel (15%) for key meetings, stakeholder engagements, board meetings, etc.  

Duties and Responsibilities 

The National Policy Director has both internal and external-facing responsibilities. These responsibilities include: 

Strategic Planning:  

• Lead strategic planning, support, coordination, and integration of policy advocacy efforts between AFT’s state/regional offices and its national policy team.  
• Contribute to the development of advocacy and communications plans, particularly with respect to AFT’s state-level work and Farm Bill advocacy. 

Management & Policy Advancement:  

• Convene meetings between state-level and national staff, identify and provide additional training and resources to meet the needs of policy staff.  
• Manage and contribute to a portion of AFT’s federal policy portfolio.  
• As appropriate, review, contribute to, and approve materials developed by national policy staff. 
• Contribute to the annual budgeting and work-planning processes for the state and national policy teams and related projects. 
• Manage relationships with external consultants. 
• Oversee internal reporting and monitoring activities, including program metrics, executive team bullets, and workplan monitoring. 
• Assume managerial and leadership responsibilities of AFT’s national policy team in the absence of the Vice President of Policy. 
• Support a strong team culture of shared learning, innovation, and problem-solving among AFT staff.

 Communications:  

• Enhance AFT’s recognition as a thought leader by seeking out opportunities to engage the public, stakeholders, and the media on AFT policy priorities and by representing AFT in the media and at events and agency, legislative, and coalition meetings. 
• Research, write, and edit white papers, public comments, and testimony on policy and programs as well as other communications materials such as fact sheets, presentations, blogs, statements, rapid response pieces, etc.   

Fundraising:  

• Work with development staff, Vice President of Policy, and others within AFT to identify potential funding sources.  
• Develop and contribute to grant proposals, grant reports, and meetings with current and prospective funders. 

• Strong desire to advance AFT’s mission by developing supportive policy grounded in research findings. 
• Proven track record of delivering superior results and assuming leadership roles in advancing policy.  
• Knowledge of state and/or federal legislative processes as well as state and/or federal agency policy-making processes.  
• Demonstrated project management skills and experience collaborating with diverse teams of colleagues, staff, and partners with flexibility and creativity. 
• Experience in developing partnerships with relevant stakeholders, such as farmers and ranchers, non-profits, the scientific community, corporations, and government agencies.  
• Skill in translating complex issues and policy to diverse audiences in writing as well as through meetings and presentations.   
• Experience in supervising staff. 
• Desire to work as part of a highly collaborative team that values communication, transparency, and constructive debate. 
• Strong writing and editing skills, including real-time group editing of documents. 
• Willingness to work around a demanding schedule and deadlines.  
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to stay on task when managing multiple projects. 
• Dedication to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice within AFT and across the agriculture and the food system.  
• Ability to travel throughout country as needed (up to 15%). 
• If appropriate, ability to work effectively from home. 

Desired Qualifications 

• Familiarity with state and/or federal agricultural programs related to conservation, farmland protection, farm viability, and/or farmland access. 
• Experience in state policy development, implementation, or advocacy. 
• Existing relationships with relevant national or regional stakeholder groups, legislative staff, and/or agency staff.   

Education & Experience  

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field such as public policy, political science, agriculture, or environmental science. 
• At least 10 years of total experience in state and/or federal policy, with 6 years relevant to agricultural viability, conservation, and/or farmland protection (experience can be substituted with post graduate degrees, fellowships, leadership programs, etc.). 

Working Conditions/Travel

• Occasional work in the evenings or on weekends may be required to meet deadlines.  
• This position is NOT required to be in the Washington, DC area. However, applicants should expect to travel up to 15% of the time, including to the national office, regional offices, and elsewhere in the country.  

Compensation

The salary range is from $120,000 to $140,000 for full-time employees, based upon experience.

American Farmland Trust offers a full benefits package for full time employees:

• Insurance coverage begins the 1st of the month following the date of hire. 
• Medical & Prescription Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Company Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability (LTD)
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) – Healthcare & Dependent Care
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• 401(k) with 10% match after six months of employment
• Sick Leave: Regular full-time employees accrue 3.5 hours per pay period (13 “sick days” per year).
• Vacation Leave: Accrue 15 days during the first year increasing by one day per year to 20 days per year maximum.
• Holidays: AFT observes eleven fixed holidays during the year (all offices closed) plus a choice of up to three (depending on hiring month) floating holidays.

Why you should apply:

• Be a part of a purpose-driven, committed, knowledgeable, high-performing, experienced and fun team
• A diverse and inclusive work environment
• A cause and mission you can be proud of
• Competitive compensation & benefits
• Remote work opportunities
• Flexible scheduling

Timeline

Applications must include a resume AND cover letter and answer all screener questions to be considered. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

We believe diversity drives innovation. We are inclusive. We embrace differences. We recognize and respect the fundamental value and dignity of all our employees. We celebrate the unique traditions, heritages, and experiences our employees bring to the workplace. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive culture that promotes and values diversity, and where everyone feels empowered to bring their authentic selves to work every day. Please see AFT’s statement on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.