Manager​/Associate Director​/Director, Public Policy

The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture is seeking a new team member to join its Public Policy team who is passionate about American agriculture and the policies that affect the agricultural industry. This position serves as NASDA's lead federal policy advocate for food systems and nutrition. The role converts member priorities into coordinated legislative, regulatory, and funding strategies; leads the Food Systems and Nutrition Committee;

and builds the relationships needed to elevate the voice of state departments of agriculture food systems and nutrition policy. Depending on qualifications, experience, and capacity demonstrated, the portfolio may expand to include leadership of the Marketing and International Trade Committee and associated policy issues, providing a defined opportunity to take on broader responsibility over time.

This position will have the opportunity to travel across the U.S. for meetings and conferences with the possibility of international travel.

Members of the Public Policy team earn a competitive salary and enjoy an excellent work culture at an organization with exceptional perks, including a flexible schedule and an incredible mission.

The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the development, implementation, and communication of NASDA's federal policy portfolio for food systems and nutrition, with primary emphasis on funding and implementation of state led farm-to-table programs; additional priorities may include food safety (e.g., FSMA and food safety inspection), in close coordination with and support of NASDA's Food Safety team, as well as food labeling, nutrition, food waste, food access and security, and food supply chain issues.
• Serve as staff lead for the Food Systems and Nutrition Committee, coordinating priorities with the committee's Chair and Vice‑Chair, preparing meeting 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; provide timely, concise, decision‑ready guidance to NASDA members and leadership.
• Build trusted relationships with commissioners, secretaries, directors, and staff of state departments of agriculture and facilitate consensus across diverse state interests.
• Develop and sustain partnerships and coalitions with agricultural, food systems and nutrition stakeholders to advance NASDA priorities and elevate the roles of state departments of agriculture in those spaces.
• Draft high-quality policy briefs, testimony, comment letters, talking points, presentations, and member communications.
• Manage projects, timelines, deliverables, and reporting with sound and strategic judgment.
• Demonstrate readiness for increasing responsibility by building subject matter knowledge, independently managing assigned issues, and developing the judgment and stakeholder relationships needed to assume additional committee and policy leadership.
• Collaborate across NASDA's policy, communications, trade, partnerships, and other key teams and represent NASDA at meetings and events, including travel as required.

Candidates may be considered at the Manager, Associate Director, or Director level based on the depth, scope, and relevance of their experience.