Senior Campaigner, Washington State Food & Agriculture

Who We Are:

Friends of the Earth is a hard-hitting, progressive, environmental organization that pulls no punches and speaks sometimes uncomfortable truth to power. It’s an approach that has worked for four decades to produce important victories that help protect our planet and its people. We’re part of Friends of the Earth International, a federation of groups working in more than 70 countries on today’s most urgent environmental and social issues.

To accomplish our mission, Friends of the Earth is working at the nexus of environmental protection, economic policy and social justice to fundamentally transform the way our country and the world value people and the environment.

Friends of the Earth’s Food and Agriculture Program is working to rapidly transition our food system to one that is sustainable, healthy and just. We carry out market and policy campaigns aimed at protecting pollinators, reforming animal agriculture and reducing the harmful environmental and social impacts of industrial agriculture, while advocating for local, just, humane, organic and sustainable food production.

Position Summary:

The Senior Campaigner, Washington State Food & Agriculture will lead Friends of the Earth’s state-level efforts to advance a just transition away from factory farming toward a healthy, regenerative food system and to ensure access to nutritious, plant-rich meals in schools and other public institutions. The senior campaigner will advance state- and local-level policy initiatives through policy advocacy, coalition building, and grassroots mobilization. This role requires a high degree of independence and leadership in building and sustaining strategic relationships with coalition partners, policymakers, and impacted communities; shaping public narratives; and mobilizing broad support. This is a remote position; however, the employee must live in Washington state to support state-specific advocacy, coalition work, and community engagement.

The annual salary range for this full-time remote position is $73,000-$83,000. This position is part of the Nonprofit Professional Employees Union (NPEU) at Friends of the Earth. Offers are determined based on the relevant skills and experience required for the position. The application deadline is 5:00 pm EST, Thursday, December 11. If there is a large influx of applicants, the position may close earlier than the specified date.

Essential Functions:

• Collaborate with Friends of the Earth’s Food & Agriculture team to develop and implement campaign strategies in alignment with overarching priorities. (25%)

• Advance local and state policy goals through policy advocacy, coalition building, grassroots outreach, research, and communications. (25%)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key actors in the state, including grassroots, statewide, and national partners as well as policymakers, to advance shared goals. (20%)

• Develop a nuanced understanding of state and local policy landscapes to support effective outreach and influence strategies. (10%)

• Engage strategically with impacted communities and key partners (e.g., farmers, public school students, community members suffering from agricultural pollution) to ensure campaigns advance equitable outcomes and environmental justice; serve as a thought partner, contributing ideas and solutions that drive shared impact and systemic change. (10%)

• Monitor, analyze, and report on relevant legislative and regulatory activities related to food and agriculture, school food, public food procurement, and other priority issues at the state and local levels. (5%)

• Work with internal teams to advance campaign objectives via traditional and social media. Represent Friends of the Earth’s interests and positions independently in media interviews, conferences, public events, and lobby meetings to support campaign objectives and reach key audiences. (5%)

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (in any field) or equivalent work experience.
• 4-6 years of experience in policy advocacy, coalition building, grassroots organizing, or related campaign roles.
• Demonstrated understanding of the interconnections between food systems, climate change policy, public health, and racial justice with the ability to translate that understanding into integrated strategies that drive equitable and sustainable outcomes.
• Knowledge and understanding of state-level legislative and executive branch processes and a strategic approach to both policy and politics.
• A demonstrated commitment to the environment and social and racial justice.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and comfort with presenting material to a wide range of audiences, including the public, the press, businesses, farmers, students, and government officials.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a fast-moving and results-oriented team, with a diverse group of coalition partners.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel regularly (weekly) to Olympia during the legislative session and ability to travel outside Washington occasionally (3-5 trips per year).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Established professional experience and networks in Washington State, particularly with state legislators, state agencies (particularly Washington State Department of Agriculture, Department of Ecology, and/or Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction), and community-based stakeholders.
• Experience with agriculture, nutrition, school meals, or public procurement policies.

Perks and Benefits:

We’re proud to be a generous, people-first employer that invests in your growth and well-being. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to help you thrive both personally and professionally:

• 37.5-hour work week to support work-life balance
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% for eligible dependents)
• Disability and life insurance for added security
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA**)** for healthcare and dependent care
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off, including:
  • 25 vacation days to start
  • 15 paid holidays
  • 20 sick days
  • 3 floating holidays
  • Summer Fridays (the last two Fridays in July and all Fridays in August)
  • Winter break (office closed between Christmas and New Year’s)
  • Parental leave, sabbatical options, and more
• Professional development and IT stipend
• Education reimbursement and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Friends of the Earth is an equal opportunity employer who encourages applications from women, people of color and other members of underrepresented groups who will contribute to the diversity of its staff. In compliance with federal law, all people hired will be required to verify identity and complete eligibility verification upon hire.

SDG Impact