Economist

EMPHASIS: Sustainability and Environment, Labor and Taxes

DEPARTMENT: Public Policy

POSITION OBJECTIVE: Develop economic research, market and policy analysis, presentations, commentaries and databases on a wide variety of factors related to environmental, labor and tax issues.

REPORTS TO: Chief Economist

LOCATION: Washington, DC; eligible for telework flexibility 2 days/week

DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively follow current and emerging issues in conservation and sustainability, including outlook and analysis, energy and eco-service markets, and conservation programs.

• Actively follow current and emerging issues in labor markets and policy, as it affects agriculture; and prepare and review analyses.

• Actively follow current and emerging issues in tax policy, as it affects agriculture; and prepare and review analyses.

• Provide regular economic analyses, commentaries and general content for AFBF and state Farm Bureau staff, volunteer leaders and interested stakeholders in the food and agricultural industry.

• Extensive knowledge of data sources needed to analyze tax, labor, and conservation and sustainability issues, and to generate easy-to-read charts.

• Provide economic presentations to Farm Bureau staff and members, government, and other stakeholder groups in the food and agricultural sector.

• Represent Farm Bureau at professional conferences and other functions to share expertise, explain Farm Bureau policy positions and gain knowledge about policy issues and market trends.

• Respond to media and other inquiries concerning Farm Bureau economics and policy work.

• Work with various AFBF task forces, study groups, staff committees, working groups and AFBF meeting activities to provide economic and policy input.

• Work with outside economic consultants on a regular basis and on special economic research projects in support of Farm Bureau policies.

• Arrange conferences and meetings on economic policy issues for state Farm Bureau staff and volunteer leaders.

• Maintain professional competence by attending and participating in professional meetings, seminars and other activities to improve individual skills and abilities.

RELATIONSHIPS:

Economists work directly with a wide range of AFBF and state Farm Bureau staff, state Farm Bureau volunteer leaders, other industry leaders, government officials, members of the media and other stakeholders in agricultural commodity markets on subject matter developments, proposed policies or international initiatives.

EDUCATION OR TRAINING REQUIRED:

• Master’s Degree or higher in Agricultural Economics or similar field

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• 2-5 years of agricultural economics experience
• Expert Microsoft Office skills including PowerPoint, Excel, Word, and Outlook

• Strong knowledge of agriculture and related databases necessary to analyze timely questions on subjects important to the industry

• Proven experience presenting agricultural market and policy information to stakeholders such as producers and other business professionals

• Strong knowledge of agricultural markets, production systems, market structures, risk management, production data management and other factors affecting the economics of farmers and ranchers in the United States

• Experience in public speaking

PREFERRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/TRAINING/SKILLS:

• Trade association, university extension or USDA experience desired
• Experience analyzing and reporting on agricultural conservation and sustainability issues
• Experience analyzing and reporting on agricultural labor issues
• Experience analyzing and reporting on tax and government finance issues
• Experience making data visualizations, e.g., Tableau, GIS, or other
• Experience using data analysis packages

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Frequent travel – approximately 20%
• Public speaking
• Ability to work some weekends

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and resume to humanresources@fb.org.