Director, Farm Animal Legislation

## Summary

The Director of Farm Animal Legislation will drive the ASPCA’s policy agenda to reform the animal agriculture system and help better the lives of farm animals – the largest category of animals on earth who experience extreme cruelty. The ideal candidate for this role is an effective, determined, and resourceful advocate with strong experience in collaboration who is passionate about working to fix our broken food system and improve conditions for farm animals.

The majority of the more than 10 billion animals farmed for food each year in the U.S. currently live in grossly inhumane conditions. The ASPCA identifies and supports legislative and regulatory policies that diminish the number of animals suffering in factory farms and reduce the negative consequences to people, animals, and the environment associated with industrial animal agriculture. As our society focuses on the need for reforms, there are enormous challenges and opportunities for change-making.

The Director of Farm Animal Legislation will lead the ASPCA’s farm animal welfare legislative campaigns, identify and capitalize on opportunities to reach the ASPCA’s farm animal policy goals in agriculture-related legislative, regulatory, and policy work. The Director will contribute to compelling public messaging and education campaigns to highlight the need for farm welfare reforms. The Director will report to the Vice President, Federal Affairs, working closely with Farm Animal Welfare and Legal Advocacy Teams to develop, strategize, coordinate, lobby for, manage, and implement legislative and regulatory policies. This position will also work with the Vice President of State Affairs on any state-related strategies.

## Compensation

Starting pay for the successful applicant will depend on a variety of factors, including but not limited to education, training, experience, location, business needs, internal equity, market demands or budgeted amount for the role. The target hiring range is for new hire offers only, and staff compensation may increase beyond the maximum hiring range based on performance over time. The maximum of the hiring range is reserved for candidates with the highest qualifications and relevant experience. The expected hiring salary range for this role is set forth below and may be modified in the future.

The target hiring range for this role is $118,000 – $125,000 annually

For more information on our benefits offerings, visit our website.

## Benefits

At the ASPCA, you don’t have to choose between your passion and making a living. Our comprehensive benefits package helps ensure you can live a rewarding life at work and at home. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

• Affordable health coverage, including medical, employer-paid dental, and optional vision coverage.
• Flexible time off that includes vacation time, sick and bereavement time, paid parental leave, 10 company paid holidays, and paid personal time off.
• Competitive financial incentives and retirement savings including a 401(k) plan with generous employer contributions — we match dollar for dollar up to 4% and provide an additional 4% contribution toward your future each year.
• Robust professional development opportunities including classes, on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship, and internal mobility.

## Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Policy Development / Strategy / Implementation

• Track, analyze, and research pending legislation related to animal welfare.
• Identify, devise, initiate, and drive strategies to achieve the organization’s farm animal welfare legislative and regulatory goals.
• Drive policy efforts in conjunction with internal and external subject matter experts to ensure they advance larger ASPCA goals.
• Build strong relationships with Congressional Offices and allied partners and collaborate with them to advance our policy goals.
• Lobby federal legislators and their staff to drive our policy agenda, serving as the ASPCA’s main point of contact with Hill offices on this issue.
• Direct and oversee research and draft advocacy materials, including letters, backgrounders, testimony, and fact sheets.
• Research, develop, and work with Farm Animal Welfare and Legal Advocacy to draft legislation and regulations.
• Work with Legal Advocacy colleagues to identify issues where legislative work can be supported through litigation.
• Collaborate with federal affairs and cross-departmental teams to establish blueprints for strategic planning.
• Initiate, coordinate, and participate in briefings, events, and panels to raise awareness.
• Direct farm animal welfare related policy work with special focus on federal strategies and collaborate with State Directors.
• Participate in regular internal and external meetings with lobbyists, regulatory staff, and campaign colleagues.
• Work with relevant staff on filing federal lobbying reports, as needed.

Communication and Outreach

Intradepartmental Communication:

• Lead regular conversations with colleagues regarding needed resources and coalition efforts related to policy reforms.
• Collaborate with the Legislative Engagement team to create outreach plans and oversee implementation.

Interdepartmental Communication:

• Orchestrate analysis, information sharing, and cross-fertilization of work with Farm Animal Welfare and Legal Advocacy colleagues.
• Ensure the tone and accuracy of materials sent from Government Relations is consistent and supportive of objectives.

Public Communication:

• Lead efforts to devise communication strategies to support federal and state legislative and regulatory goals.
• Coordinate with the communications team regarding planning, needs, and tools for assigned legislation.
• Offer presentations, trainings, research projects, and updates on issues.
• Represent the ASPCA in a professional and courteous manner at all times.

Special Projects

• Provide projects as needed for interns.
• Participate in internal working groups to facilitate policy development.
• Participate in planning for department’s involvement in national tradeshows and exhibits.

## Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values:

• Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals.
• Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes.
• Believes in Team – that we are stronger together.
• Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible.
• Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals.

## Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required.
• Juris doctor or graduate degree preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in a large non-profit, legislative office, or government agency focused on government affairs functions required.
• 3+ years of experience in federal legislative work required.
• Experience with farm animal welfare and food policy issues, highly preferred.
• Experience with animal protection issues a plus.
• Experience in state legislative work a plus.

## Qualifications:

• Knowledge of legal analysis, interpretation, and significance of legislative proposals.
• Knowledge of the federal legislative process, committee structure, and political trends on the Hill.
• Knowledge of administrative law, agency structures, authorities, and policies.
• Knowledge and ability to aid in the drafting of complex legislation and regulatory policies.
• Knowledge of animal welfare issues, laws, and regulations.
• Able to articulate and summarize issues and speak extemporaneously.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Highly organized with acute attention to detail.
• Strong writing and media skills.
• Ability to prioritize responsibilities, multi-task, and manage time-sensitive projects.
• Commitment to work for animal protection.
• Ability and willingness to travel up to 5% annually, as needed.

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Language: English (Required)

## Our EEO Policy:

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. Please inform the ASPCA’s People Team if you need an accommodation in order to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the application process.

## About Us:

The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City and operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, and legal and legislative advocacy.

We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

## State-Specific Disclosures:

Your Employee Rights Under the Family and Medical Leave Act: Pursuant to regulations of the FMLA, we provide notice to applicants about eligible employees’ protected leave. Click on the link to learn more.

Colorado and Oregon Residents: Per CO Senate Bill 23-058 and ORS 659A.030, we cannot generally request or require any age-related information on an initial employment application. If submitting materials containing age-related info, please redact before submission.

Indiana Applicants: It is an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against a prospective employee on the basis of status as a veteran. You may file a complaint with the Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) or the EEOC.

Massachusetts Applicants: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment.

Philadelphia Applicants: You may view your rights under the Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards Act here.

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