Government Affairs Manager jobs in Gainesville, FL

Florida Farm Bureau Federation is currently seeking an Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs to proactively facilitate natural resource, environmental, and land issues.

The listed pay range is the starting salary for the position.

At Florida Farm Bureau Federation, you will be part of the state’s largest agricultural organization representing 132,000 member families. You will be inspired to share in one voice focused on the future of what we eat, wear, and use every day so that agriculture thrives for future generations.

Why Florida Farm Bureau Federation?

• You’ll be advocating on behalf of Florida’s farmers and ranchers.
• Your efforts will help ensure locally grown, healthy food options are available for families.
• You get to work with a passionate team of professionals and advocates.
• You’ll have a positive work environment with supportive managers and teammates.
• You will experience the reward of assisting in the healthy future of what we eat.
• You will be part of a company that invests in you!

At Florida Farm Bureau Federation, we understand that attracting the best talent requires more than just a challenging role. That's why we offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to enrich your life both in and out of the office. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package including:

• 401k Retirement Plan: You will be able to participate in a 401k retirement program with a company match of up to 4% of your annual, eligible gross wages. An annual employer contribution will also be added for all eligible employees each year.
• Company Vehicle: You will be provided a company vehicle that can be utilized for personal use.
• Professional Development: You will have the opportunity to obtain special training and enjoy an annual staff retreat paid for by the company.
• Paid Time Off: As a new employee, you will receive 19 PTO days per year.
• Paid Holidays: You will receive at least 9 paid holidays per year.
• Health Insurance: You will have the opportunity to enroll in health insurance with several options to choose from.
• Other Insurance: You will be able to enroll in other group insurance benefits such as dental, vision, life, disability, other supplemental benefits.
• Flexible Spending Account! You will have the option to have a Flexible Spending Account.
• And there’s more! Your insurance benefits become effective the first of the month following your employment start date!

Reporting to theDirector of Government & Community Affairs, the Assistant Director of Government & Community Affairs is a remote position that does not have a dedicated workstation/office at one of the main business offices. This role is responsible for advocating, representing, and communicating Florida Farm Bureau Federation policy before the Northwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Department of Environmental Protection, and local governments.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Serve as liaison between Northwest Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District, state and federal regulatory agencies, and Farm Bureau membership.
• Establish relationships with Water Management District Governing Board members and staff.
• Establish a network of information resources within the farming community, as well as government agencies (FDACS, FDEP, EPA, Corps of Engineers) to assist in keeping abreast of issues.
• Provide written bi-monthly reports for the State Board of Directors.
• Track issues related to water management and regulation and effectively communicate potential agricultural impacts to the membership.
• Facilitate natural resource, environmental, and land use issues.
• Speak publicly on Farm Bureau policy and agricultural issues at meetings and public events (County Commission meetings, state, and federal public workshops, etc.).
• Provide written public comments on proposed regulation and agricultural issues as needed.
• Serve on industry advisory councils, Water Management District working groups, and agricultural committees as needed.
• Represent Farm Bureau at industry meetings, conventions, and tradeshows.
• Work with specific FFBF commodity and/or issue Advisory Committees.
• Provide written and oral reports on meetings and activities to Farm Bureau’s State Board of Directors, County Farm Bureaus, its members, and other staff.
• Other duties may be assigned.

To thrive in this role, you’ll need:

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited four-year college or university.
• Related experience in the public or private sector
• OR equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Will be required to complete a district lobbyist registration.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida drivers’ license.
• Knowledge of Florida agricultural production and practices in north Florida is preferred.
• High self-motivation.
• Ability to build rapport with each of the agencies listed above, as well as the agricultural and environmental community.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents such as water supply planning and county government ordinances; and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of members or employees of the organization.
• Capability to effectively present information and respond to questions from a variety of sources.
• Possess sound verbal, written, and virtual communication skills.
• Ability to develop, prepare, and present reports to staff, membership, or others on various agricultural related issues.
• Ability to interact with media through interviews and written comments.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Ability to analyze and interpret legislation, proposed rules, and regulations.
• Effective computer skills, particularly Microsoft office products.

Florida Farm Bureau Federation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $63,234.00 - $82,199.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Work setting:

• In-person

Ability to Relocate:

• Gainesville, FL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person