Farmer Support & Regulatory Navigation Manager

Posting Update: We’ve updated this role to better reflect its focus on working directly with farmers to navigate regulatory and government program requirements. The revised description emphasizes applied problem-solving, relationship-based support, and the ability to learn and interpret regulations—rather than prior subject-matter expertise.

Position Summary

The Farmer Support & Regulatory Navigation Manager is a senior role focused on helping farmers and ranchers navigate regulatory and government program systems. The Manager develops clear, accessible materials and provides hands-on support to help producers understand requirements, identify options, and resolve barriers when systems break down.

The Manager serves as a translator between farmers and institutions—researching unfamiliar regulations, assessing how they apply in specific situations, and turning complex requirements into clear, actionable guidance. This role is ideal for a practical, people-centered problem solver who enjoys working through complex rules with people, exercising judgment, and helping individuals move forward.

The Manager plays a central role in building CHFS’s new Regulatory Support and Resource Referral Call Line. During program launch, the Manager will work directly with farmers and respond to inquiries; over time, the role shifts toward handling complex cases, refining tools and materials, maintaining agency relationships, and ensuring the program remains responsive to real farmer needs.

This is not a legal representation role or a call center position. While familiarity with regulatory and government program environments is required, CHFS does not expect candidates to be experts in all applicable regulations at the outset; the ability to learn new frameworks and apply them thoughtfully is essential. This is a 3-year grant-funded position.

Key Responsibilities

Program Development, Education & Outreach

This work focuses on translating regulatory and program requirements into practical tools and support for farmers.

• Research and monitor regulations applicable to small farms and ranches in Texas related to production, processing, marketing, and distribution.
• Exercise professional judgment to interpret regulatory frameworks and identify practical ways for farmers to comply with requirements or access programs.
• Develop clear, plain-language handouts, guidance materials, and tools that translate regulatory and program requirements into actionable steps for producers.
• Maintain and update government agency and allied NGO resources and referral options, including ongoing communication with USDA and other agency staff to ensure accuracy and alignment.
• Design and refine intake and conversation tools that help farmers clearly explain their situation, while gathering the information needed to provide effective support.
• Provide guidance and case management support for Call Line participants facing regulatory issues or procedural barriers to accessing programs and services.

Farmer Advocacy & Case Navigation

• Serve as a trusted, consistent point of contact for farmers seeking help navigating regulatory requirements or accessing government programs.
• Listen carefully to individual circumstances and tailor guidance to fit each operation’s scale, capacity, and goals.
• Identify procedural barriers, misalignments, or gaps in agency processes and work with partners to resolve or escalate issues when appropriate.
• Provide follow-up support to ensure farmers understand next steps and feel confident moving forward.

Regulatory Education & Conference Planning

• Co-develop and implement annual regulatory education plans in partnership with the Program Director and the Grants and Program Intake Coordinator.
• Support planning and delivery of regulatory education sessions at CHFS’s annual Conference, including content development and participant resources.
• Represent CHFS at conferences and outreach events to recruit participants, strengthen partnerships, and raise awareness of our services.

Who Thrives in This Role

This role is a strong fit for someone who:

• Is comfortable digging into unfamiliar government rules or programs and figuring out how they work in practice
• Can explain complex information without jargon or condescension
• Enjoys problem solving in situations where the “right answer” is not obvious
• Respects farmers’ expertise and lived experience

Qualifications

Experience may come from government, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, extension services, legal support roles, or other public-facing systems navigation work.

• Experience providing technical assistance, program navigation, case management, or regulatory support to farmers or other small businesses or community members.
• Experience in regulatory programs, USDA programs, regulatory compliance, legal research, or related fields.
• Strong analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information into accurate, accessible resources.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to handle complex or sensitive participant cases with professionalism and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple program phases, timelines, and deliverables.

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of USDA policies, funding programs, agricultural regulations, or federal referral systems.
• Experience developing educational materials, intake scripts, or marketing plans.
• Experience managing intake processes or supporting clients/customers in a regulatory environment.
• Legal background or licensure is a benefit, but not required; this role focuses on education, referral, and regulatory navigation rather than legal representation.

Benefits & Work Culture

• Flexible schedule and remote work/ office from home
• Collaborative, mission-driven team environment
• Paid time off and holidays; also paid medical leave after 1 year

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 writing samples to Judith@HealthyFoodSystems.org with the subject line: Farmer Support & Regulatory Navigation Manager – [Your Name].

We invite you to include in your cover letter a brief (5-7 sentence) description of a time when someone came to you with a problem involving rules, requirements, or a government program they didn’t understand. What steps did you take to figure out what applied, and how did you help them move forward?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 writing samples to Judith@HealthyFoodSystems.org with the subject line: Farmer Support & Regulatory Navigation Manager – [Your Name].

We invite you to include in your cover letter a brief (5-7 sentence) description of a time when someone came to you with a problem involving rules, requirements, or a government program they didn’t understand. What steps did you take to figure out what applied, and how did you help them move forward?

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Bilingual in Spanish is a bonus.