Policy Associate​/Senior Policy Associate

Do you have an appetite for turning research into results and helping uncover gaps, craft solutions, and stand up for policies that matter? This role engages with partners, policymakers, and rural residents to transform ideas into action and ensure every voice is heard in shaping the future of our communities.

If this is you, read on, we might be looking for you!

The Center for Rural Affairs is seeking a Policy Associate or Senior Policy Associate whose focus will be on clean energy. This position will be based in Iowa, with preference for candidates in central or northwestern Iowa. The successful candidate will work to provide key support for advancing the Center’s clean energy policy priorities through research, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy. Regional travel is required.

The ideal candidate will be passionate about clean energy and economic development. They will be adept at community outreach and comfortable building relationships. They will engage with constituents and other stakeholders to understand challenges and develop solutions.

The Center for Rural Affairs is a dynamic, energetic non‑profit organization working to build a better rural future for all. We’ve done this work for more than 50 years and we do it from rural places with a flexible work environment. The Center focuses on capital access, community capacity, and policy advocacy strategies with work in areas of food systems, community resources, small business support, and environment and resilience.

The Center’s work is rooted in our mission‑aligned values. We believe that a diversity of people and ideas strengthens our work, our workplace, and our communities. We take equal opportunity seriously and we welcome applicants from a variety of backgrounds.

The Policy Associate reports to a Senior Policy Associate, Policy Manager, or Senior Policy Manager and is responsible for the following:

• Conducting research to identify policy gaps, analyze potential solutions, and stay informed on relevant media and policy developments.
• Engaging with constituents, partners, and stakeholders to gather input that shapes and informs policy priorities.
• Supporting advocacy efforts by working with legislators, county officials, and other decision‑makers to promote the Center’s policy agenda.
• Developing written materials to include reports, white papers, blogs, opinion pieces, and action alerts and to communicate policy research and recommendations.
• Building and maintaining collaborative relationships with partner organizations to support the advancement of policy campaigns.
• Integrating the Center’s Values into policy work, partnerships, and organizational practices.

The Center may also consider hiring at the Senior Policy Associate level, depending on qualifications. The Senior Associate role would, in addition to the Associate duties and responsibilities above, serve as a team lead on one of the Policy team’s major energy efforts and may involve overseeing and directing others.

To be successful in this job, you will excel in five areas:

• Relationship building: You know how to talk with people to learn what needs they have through conversation and inquiry. People trust you because you’re efficient with their time and have their best interests in mind. You’re able to build networks, as well as alliances, and find points of collaboration even when there are competing interests on your time. You develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders and can bring in allies and partners.
• Drive to achieve results: You know how to work to your strengths to achieve your own ambitious goals, and you anticipate hurdles as merely a momentary inconvenience. You possess a competitive drive. You set a high bar and meet it because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to come up with pragmatic, yet innovative, solutions.
• Inclusive leadership and management: You approach leadership in your work with a mindset of “power with” rather than “power over” and regularly include others with lived experience and/or expertise in decision‑making. You use resources…