Food Systems Efficiency Advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council – Washington, DC or San Francisco

Organization: Natural Resources Defense Council

Position Title: Food Systems Efficiency Advocate

Location: Washington, DC or San Francisco

Hours and Compensation: Full-time

Application Deadline: Applications will be considered upon receipt on a rolling basis until December 5, 2014.

Description: NRDC is seeking a Food Waste Prevention Advocate to work with the Food and Agriculture Program team in our Washington DC or San Francisco office.

Up to 40 percent of all food in the U.S. goes uneaten. This has severe economic, social, and environmental implications, including the loss of  vast natural resources used to produce, transport, cool, and then dispose of that food. In addition, a 60 percent increase in food demand is predicted as we move towards a future with a larger population and richer diets.  Just as energy efficiency has been embraced as a method for offsetting energy needs, reducing waste and losses in the food system offers a way to meet some of that future food demand, offsetting the pressure to convert more land to agriculture or intensify cropland production further.

Responsibilities: The NRDC Food and Agriculture Program is working on multiple fronts to address this problem.  Our approach is a combination of engagement with the food industry, public education through reports, press, and other media campaigns, and policy solutions.

We now seek an Advocate to expand our team.  Together with other NRDC staff, the Advocate will:

• Help our team design and win federal and municipal policies that will lead to reduced food loss and waste.
• Provide subject expertise and project management for a broad national public education campaign to help consumers reduce food waste.
• Provide research, analysis, blogs, written comments and testimony to educate policymakers, media representatives and consumers about this issue.
• Serve as a spokesperson for NRDC at meetings and with the press.

Qualifications:

• 5+ years or more of related work experience.  Food industry experience a plus.
•  Graduate degree in a related field is preferred, but not required.
•  Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability for advocacy.
•  Familiarity with the issues of sustainable agriculture, retail and food service workings, and/or waste management strongly desired.

How to Apply: Apply online at the NRDC jobs page.