National Farm to School Network: Policy Intern
Company: National Farm to School Network
Hourly Rate: $17/hour
Location: Remote from anywhere in the US
Application Deadline: August 15, 2024
Description
Position: Policy Intern
Part-time position from September 2024 - April 2025
Location: Team Member must be located within the United States and set up to work in a virtual environment.
About the National Farm to School Network
National Farm to School Network (NFSN) is an information, advocacy and networking hub for communities working to bring local food sourcing and food and agriculture education (including school gardens) into schools and early care and education settings. Farm to school (F2S) activities, when firmly centered in equity, can create opportunities for children and families to make their own food choices, while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities. NFSN provides vision, leadership and support at the state, regional and national levels to connect and expand the farm to school movement. Our network includes national staff, partners from states, Washington D.C., U.S. Territories and Native nations, an advisory board and thousands of farm to school supporters. For more information, please visit www.farmtoschool.org.
NFSN is a project of Tides Center, the nation’s largest fiscal sponsor. Tides Center is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco that works with individuals, groups and funders to implement and accelerate positive social change in the nonprofit sector. For more information, please visit www.tides.org.
Position Description
National Farm to School Network seeks a part-time Policy Intern to support implementation of NFSN’s policy advocacy priorities. The Policy Intern will assist the Policy Director to promote policies that advance NFSN’s Call to Action and engage our Partner organizations through policy research and analysis, development of policy resources for use by Partner organizations, and coordination of educational opportunities for Partner organizations.
This temporary position starts in September 2024 and runs through April 2025 at 15 hours per week.
This role is a remote position and may be located in any location in the United States.
The Policy Intern will report directly to the Policy Director and work closely with NFSN staff and partners.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Policy Intern will assist the Policy Director in implementation of federal and state policy analysis and advocacy activities.
Responsibilities will include:
Research and analysis of timely policy issues, such as federal or state bills
Policy monitoring of legislative and regulatory developments
Development of resources and communications on NFSN issue positions and policies affecting NFSN stakeholders
Support and coordination of opportunities for engagement of NFSN Partner organizations, such as surveys, interviews, roundtable calls or panels
Support the Policy and Programs team in using software to track government and coalition relationships
Contribute to policy content (idea generation, writing) for NFSN monthly newsletter, blog, social media, and other communications
Participate in organizational efforts to advance racial equity within NFSN, in policy, and in the movement as a whole, as needed
Other Duties and Responsibilities
Complete reporting and track activities as needed (staff surveys, time tracking, lobbying tracking, etc.)
Participate in Programs and Policy Team and NFSN staff meetings as schedule permits
Represent NFSN at relevant conferences, meetings and public events
Travel as needed for conducting the duties of the position
Education and/or Experience
College degree or currently enrolled in undergraduate/graduate program, or 3 years of equivalent experience
Excellent performance history in prior positions or projects Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated competence in policy analysis, knowledge of policymaking process preferred
Previous experience, interest or passion in the field of farm to school, education, nutrition, agriculture, or community building
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including translating policy analysis for public audiences
Ability to engage with diverse stakeholder groups, such as meeting facilitation, presentations and data collection
Knowledge and/or interest in advocacy
Content knowledge in or capacity to increase knowledge of racial and social equity principles related to farm to school
Experience with Google Suite applications including Docs, Sheets, Forms, and Slides
Basic understanding of databases, such as Salesforce
Ability to manage time and project priorities, including communicating with supervisor about workload
Desire and capacity to work with large stakeholder groups, partnership relationship building and community driven movements
Organized and detail oriented
Responsive and prompt in communications
Organizational Relationships
Reports directly to Policy Director and works closely with NFSN staff and partners
Compensation and Benefits
This position is temporary, non-exempt, part-time (under 20 hours/week) and is not eligible for health benefits.
Hourly pay ranges between $15-$17 and is commensurate with experience.
Culture
NFSN is undergoing significant transformation to align internal systems and external programming with NFSN’s Call to Action. This includes updates to our mission, vision, and core values, and ongoing assessment and refinement of NFSN practices, policies, and programs to identify and address white supremacy culture. Work is in progress and requires all staff– including new employees– to possess a deep commitment to racial equity and to disrupting inequities, both organizational and systemic.
Physical Demands
This position requires 1-5 hours per day either sitting at a desk (responding to emails, developing materials or being on the phone). This position may require minimal travel to meet with grant project staff or partners, or to represent NFSN at conferences, events or meetings.
Work Environment
This is a remote position, and applicants may be located anywhere with reasonable access to transportation in the United States. This position will be working from a remote office / home office set up.
To Apply
To apply, include a resume, 1-page cover letter detailing how your interest and experience fits the requirements, and 2 writing samples. Writing samples should ideally showcase a short format of 1-2 pages each. Please submit all materials in PDF form. Send items to Cassandra Bull, Policy Specialist, at Cassandra@farmtoschool.org. Note: Applicants are encouraged to apply early.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received.
This position will be open until August 15, 2024 or until a qualified applicant is found, whichever comes first.
National Farm to School Network, a project of Tides Center, is an “at-will” and equal opportunity employer. Applicants and employees shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender (including pregnancy and gender expression) identity, color, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or ordinance.
Applicants from groups most impacted by systemic inequities, including people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.
Direct Application Details Link: https://www.farmtoschool.org/employment