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Open:  January 30, 2023

Close:  Open until filled

Range: Excepted Service 8 ($106,497 to $159,747)

Current District of Columbia residents will receive priority and advanced preference for screening and interviews.

Mayor Bowser seeks qualified candidates to serve as the next District of Columbia Food Policy Director. The Food Policy Director provides strategic direction and leadership for the District on food issues with attention to food insecurity and low food access, including analysis, stakeholder engagement, policy development, coordination, and tracking. The Food Policy Director will work in concert with the District of Columbia's Food Policy Council, City staff, and food systems stakeholders to promote healthy food production and access in the District, attract new participants to the local food economy, assist individuals already participating in the local food economy, focus on racial injustice and inequity while applying disaggregated data and analysis and achieve the food goals identified in the Sustainable DC Plan.  Work is performed in collaboration with key city agencies involved in food related issues and programs, including the Departments of Health, Human Services, Parks and Recreation, and Energy and the Environment. The Food Policy Director reports directly to the Director of DC Office of Planning and is responsible to the Mayor and the Food Policy Council.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Identification of priorities, establishment of goals, and implementation of actions to advance the District's food system.
• Promotes equitable and sustainable food policies across the District that increase food access, and build a local food economy. 
• Identifies and provides strategic direction on the needs and experiences of populations impacted by systemic racism in the District, as it relates to higher rates of food insecurity and low food access including in areas with historic disinvestment.
• Centers racial equity in development and implementation of policies and initiatives.
• Supports the Food Policy Council on food policy and food economy with the implementation of the District's strategic food plan.
• In collaboration with the Food Policy Council, examines existing regulations and policies that may be overly burdensome as applied to the local food economy.
• Conducts in-depth research, statistical analysis of food policy issues, and acquires and analyzes disaggregated data.
• Presents critical observations, findings and recommendations on food policy and legislation, and their effect on the District.
• Develops other quantitative and qualitative analyses, as required, consistent with commonly accepted practices for the Food Policy Council.
• Assures that food policy issues and recommendations are well-defined, and recommends needed amendments to laws and regulations.
• Identifies and prioritizes actions as part of establishing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan to advance sustainable food production, distribution and consumption.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key internal and external partners, networks, coalitions, and organizations with the goals of facilitating communication, data collection, and the sharing of best practices.
• Manages and coordinates the creation and implementation of food policies across District agencies and in consultation with community stakeholders. 
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends revisions to City Code and regulations, as necessary.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum Education requirement; Bachelor's degree from an accredited four year-college or university in public and business administration, public policy or related field, plus six (6) years of work related experience; OR an equivalent combination of education and/or experience which exhibits the ability to perform satisfactorily in the position required. Master's degree in public health, public administration, community development, urban planning, agriculture or a related field, plus, at least, four (4) years of work related experience preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of local, regional, and national food systems policy and issues, including developing recommendations for related programs.
• Experience in embedding a racial equity lens in food system and policies, including applying racial equity impact analysis tools to projects.  
• Experience with the District of Columbia political processes, including regulations, legislation and community engagement. 
• Extensive knowledge of advanced project management concepts, practices and methodologies, and demonstrated understanding of applicable strategies. Ability to conduct research on the feasibility of proposed improvements to the food economy as well as policy gaps or inconsistencies that may hinder the overall mission of the Food Policy Council.
• Analytical ability to make realistic assessments; to conduct innovative analyses involving complex variables; and to develop recommendations based on review and analysis that are consistent with current accepted policy development, theory and practice.
• Ability to provide leadership, guidance, and support to interdepartmental teams; and strong community leadership experience with exemplary communication and negotiation capabilities. Ability to manage diverse projects and be flexible when priorities changes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills sufficient to advise, negotiate and consult with a variety of management officials, stakeholders, and others; and sufficient to effectively prepare and present reports/findings.

DOMICILE REQUIREMENT:

There is a legal requirement that each new appointee to the Excepted and Executive Service either: (1) be domiciled in the District of Columbia at the time of appointment; or (2) establish District domicile within one hundred eighty (180) days of appointment.  The law also requires that Excepted and Executive Service employees maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment.  Failure to maintain District domicile during the period of the appointment will result in forfeiture of employment.

To be considered, applicants must complete the process.  Letters of support are not required and will not impact the process. 

Click here to learn more about the position and apply today.