Job ID: 29768
Date Opened: 05/28/2025
Date Closed: 06/11/2025
Policy Analyst, Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure
The position is in the District's Food Policy team at the Office of Planning, and will function as a Policy Analyst responsible for conducting research, data analysis, and policy development and analysis related to supporting resilient food system infrastructure that enables more purchasing from regional farms and food producers. The position will include finding innovative solutions to the District's food procurement, including exploring the next steps towards central food processing, aggregated purchasing, partnerships with private and public institutions, and infrastructural needs for local growers and producers. This position will have a heavy emphasis on relationship and trust-building through community events, public speaking and presentations, and facilitation of interagency collaboration. The ideal candidate has experience in food systems, institutional procurement, and research, with existing relationships in the District's food system.
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Conducts research and analysis pertaining to resilient food systems infrastructure, including cold storage, urban agriculture needs, food processing, food access, entrepreneurship, workforce development, sustainability, and health equity. Research methods include, but are not limited to, collecting best practices from other states; analyzing legislation, regulation, and budget documents; conducting stakeholder interviews; and collaborating with partner agencies. Prepares technical food policy reports, including scoping, writing, editing, and reviewing information.
Compiles, verifies, and analyzes data on government procurement, budgets, stakeholder interviews, and challenges for residents and local businesses to be used in the development of studies and projects. Researches best practices pertaining to food and related systems, drawing on local, national and international case studies and examples, as appropriate, particularly with regard to Central Food Processing Facilities and procurement changes that prioritize values-based purchasing. Analyzes and distills best practice research into clear summaries and written products.
Collaborates with key partner agencies involved in food, procurement, and related systems and programs, including the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, Office of Contracting and Procurement, and the Departments of Health, Human Services, Small and Local Business Development, Corrections, Youth and Rehabilitation Services, Parks and Recreation, and Energy and the Environment.
Organizes and hosts food policy and planning meetings, including stakeholder outreach, meeting preparation, presentation, and facilitation, notetaking and following up on key items.