San Joaquin Valley Farmer Advocate

Position Overview

CAFF, a California‐based membership organization committed to advancing racial, gender, and environmental justice, is seeking a San Joaquin Valley Farmer Advocate to support small-scale and historically underserved farmers. Working independently as a key member of the Policy Team, you will organize farmers, engage in policy advocacy, build regional partnerships, conduct research and analysis, and manage projects that advance a more equitable agricultural system in the San Joaquin Valley and across the state.

Key Responsibilities

• Farmer Organizing & Engagement (20%):
  • Collaborate with the Policy Director and CAFF staff to develop outreach and engagement plans for farmers.
  • Establish relationships with farmers and connect them with essential resources (e.g. legal assistance, grants, technical support).
  • Design and implement the annual CAFF farmer policy platform by organizing in-person gatherings, workshops, and legislative farm tours.
  • Develop communication tools including storytelling projects, videography, social media content, and blogs.
• Policy Advocacy (20%):
  • Cultivate relationships with key policymakers, agency officials, and staff.
  • Collaborate with the CAFF lobbyist to review, write, and edit legislative language; attend hearings; provide testimony; and prepare position letters or public comments.
  • Coordinate advocacy efforts with active coalitions and networks, including supporting district-level field visits.
  • Educate decision-makers on policies impacting small and underserved farmers.
• Community and Partnerships (20%):
  • Develop strong, trusting relationships with agricultural, environmental, environmental justice, and farmworker organizations.
  • Integrate environmental justice priorities with agricultural policy while acknowledging historic harms.
  • Identify opportunities for collaboration on state-level legislation and join local coalitions and working groups.
• Research & Analysis (20%):
  • Conduct qualitative and quantitative research on farmworker labor standards and related issues.
  • Prepare written reports on policy priority areas such as immigration reform and labor standards.
  • Stay engaged on evolving issues in immigration, labor, and the impacts of state agricultural policies (e.g. SGMA, MLRP, ILRP).
• Project Management (15%):
  • Manage large policy projects, including collaborative work with partner organizations.
  • Handle grant administrative tasks such as reporting, budgeting, and grant writing.
  • Support CAFF staff with grant writing, funder presentations, event planning, communications, and fundraising efforts.
• General CAFF Responsibilities (5%):
  • Participate in Policy Team meetings and collaborate on various projects.
  • Represent CAFF at community events and activities.
  • Attend weekly all-staff meetings and annual retreat(s).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 4 years of experience in a policy and/or organizing role, preferably within a nonprofit organization.
• Strong background in organizing, advocacy, or policy work in agricultural or environmental sectors.
• Experience working with BIPOC communities, farmworker organizations, and/or tribal groups.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and public speaking skills; fluency in English and Spanish.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders and handle competing demands.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and familiarity with WordPress or similar platforms.
• Willingness to maintain strict confidentiality and meet physical requirements (e.g. travel, prolonged computer work, and lifting up to 50 lbs).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with the farming community in sustainable agriculture or related fields.
• Familiarity with Salesforce, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Action Network is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

• Compensation: $70,000-$80,000 per year.
• Bilingual Pay Differential: Eligible.
• Hybrid work environment with occasional travel to Sacramento.
• Opportunity to work in a mission-driven organization dedicated to social, racial, and environmental justice.