Summer Policy Research Fellow – Oak Hill, WV

Organization: West Virginia Food and Farm Coalition

Position Title: Summer Policy Research Fellow

Location: Oak Hill, WV

Hours & Compensation: Full-time. $4000 for 3 months.

Position Dates: June – August 2013.

Application Deadline: May 30, 2013.

Organization Overview:

The WV Food & Farm Coalition supports a network of West Virginians working to grow food and farm businesses and to improve access to healthy local food.

The Coalition helps build linkages among farmers, processors, distributors, educators, agencies, nonprofits, farmers markets, restaurants, youth groups, institutional food service, and anyone else interested in making our local food economy stronger. The Coalition also works to create venues where West Virginians can discuss big-picture issues related to West Virginia food and agriculture, and talk collaboratively about how to address challenges and take advantage of opportunities. Many agencies and organizations exist in West Virginia to support food eaters, food producers and everyone in between. We seek to tie the threads together and to help continue a statewide conversation among multiple sectors about how to help West Virginia’s local food economy grow.

In 2013, after spending over two years hosting public forums and listening to the challenges and opportunities faced by local food advocates, the Coalition launched its Policy Initiative.  The Coalition pursues policies that align with the Road Map for the Food Economy, an action plan created with input from over 400 West Virginians at regional roundtables and other events.  The Coalition’s policy work is steered by four issue-area working groups.  For example, the Meat Processing Working Group, comprised mostly of farmers, surveyed over 50 meat processors last year and has pushed for a policy agenda that supports the needs of meat processing in the state.

Description:

For the summer of 2013, the WV Food & Farm Coalition is seeking a full-time Summer Policy Research Fellow to spend 3 months coordinating and advancing the emerging work of the Coalition’s internal working groups relating to policy development and advocacy.

Responsibilities:

Working in coordination with the Program Coordinator and the Director of Policy, the Summer Policy Research Fellow will conduct detailed research on a number of policy issues affecting the local food economy and will produce a multi-state comparison guide of agricultural policies issues. The Summer Policy Research Fellow will also develop materials, participate in meetings with policymakers, review state and federal regulations and laws, and assist in the continued development of a robust and supportive policy system for the local food economy.

The Summer Policy Research Fellow is a short-term, full-time position that will run for 3 months. The period of the position is flexible but ideally would be June-August 2013. The Fellow will preferably be based out of the WV Food & Farm Coalition’s office in Oak Hill. However we may be willing to discuss remote working options with exceptional candidates. This is a paid stipend position of $4000 for 3 months.

Qualifications:

• Excellent research skills. Some background in legal and/or policy research preferred but not required.
• Basic understanding of the regulatory and legislative policy-making process.
• Self-motivated
• Well-developed writing skills
• Project-oriented; able to complete tasks in a timely and efficient manner
• Some background in agriculture or food advocacy preferred but not required

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] by May 30th.  Position will remain open until filled.

Contact Information: 

WV Food and Farm Coalition, http://www.wvhub.org/wwvffc

Job URL: http://www.wvhub.org/help-wanted