Agricultural Policy Lobbyist

Bockorny Group; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site in Washington, DC

Job summary

The Bockorny Group, a Washington, DC-based bipartisan government affairs firm, seeks a full-time on-site professional to lead advocacy strategy for agricultural, food, and rural policy matters. You will manage client relationships and work directly with clients to shape advocacy before Congress and federal agencies.

Responsibilities include developing comprehensive advocacy strategies, engaging with Congress, monitoring policy developments, and drafting testimony and talking points.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree in public policy, law, or related field is a plus.
• 5–10 years of professional experience in government relations, lobbying, congressional staff work, or related agricultural policy role.
• Demonstrated substantive expertise in agricultural policy (Farm Bill programs, USDA rulemaking, agricultural trade policy, biofuels, food and nutrition programs).
• Established relationships with House/Senate Agriculture Committees and/or relevant federal agencies (USDA, EPA, USTR) strongly preferred.
• Prior experience as congressional staff with an agricultural portfolio, or at USDA/agency, is highly valued.
• Proven ability to independently manage client relationships and lead advocacy strategy with minimal oversight.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; experience drafting testimony, talking points, and client-ready analysis.
• Track record of business development or growing client relationships.

Responsibilities

• Serve as lead strategist and primary contact for clients on agricultural, food, and rural policy issues, including Farm Bill, trade, biofuels, food safety, and nutrition programs.
• Develop and execute comprehensive advocacy strategies, engaging with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal agencies (USDA, EPA, USTR, FDA).
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting agricultural clients and provide timely, strategic counsel.
• Draft and review advocacy materials for clients, including testimony, regulatory comment letters, and talking points.
• Manage day-to-day client relationships and act as a trusted senior advisor.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities; draft proposals and scopes of work.
• Represent the firm at industry events, congressional receptions, political events, and other functions to build relationships with policymakers and prospective clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic advocacy

Client relationship management

Policy analysis

Public policy

Lobbying

Congressional liaison

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

AI tools

Job description

Company Description

The Bockorny Group is a boutique, bipartisan government affairs consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. For over 35 years, our firm has represented a distinguished client roster, including Fortune 100 companies and major trade associations. Leveraging strong relationships with federal policymakers, and decades of collective knowhow, our team works with our clients to develop winning strategies and engages directly with lawmakers and regulators to shape the policies that matter most.

Role Description

This is a full-time, on-site role located in Washington, D.C. This individual will lead advocacy strategy and client relationships on agricultural, food, and rural policy matters. This individual will work directly with clients to develop and execute advocacy strategies before Congress and federal agencies, while also contributing to the growth of the firm's agriculture practice.

Principal Responsibilities

Strategic Advocacy and Federal Legislative Affairs

• Serve as lead strategist and primary point of contact for a portfolio of clients on agricultural, food, and rural policy issues, including the Farm Bill, agricultural trade, biofuels and renewable energy, food safety, and nutrition programs.
• Develop and execute comprehensive advocacy strategies on behalf of clients, engaging directly with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and relevant federal agencies, including USDA, EPA, USTR, and FDA.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory developments affecting agricultural clients and provide timely, strategic counsel on political and policy risk.
• Draft and review advocacy materials on behalf of clients, including testimony, regulatory comment letters, and talking points.

Client Relationships and Business Development

• Manage day-to-day client relationships, ensuring responsive, high-quality service and serving as a trusted senior advisor.
• Identify and cultivate new business opportunities within the agriculture, food, and agribusiness sectors, including drafting proposals and scopes of work.
• Represent the firm at industry events, congressional receptions, political events, and other functions to build and maintain relationships with policymakers and prospective clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; an advanced degree in public policy, law, or a related field is a plus.
• 5-10 years of professional experience in government relations, lobbying, congressional staff work, or a related agricultural policy role.
• Demonstrated substantive expertise in agricultural policy, such as Farm Bill programs, USDA rulemaking, agricultural trade policy, biofuels and renewable fuels, food and nutrition programs, crop insurance, or animal agriculture issues.
• Established relationships with the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and/or relevant federal agencies (USDA, EPA, USTR) strongly preferred.
• Prior experience as congressional staff with a significant agricultural portfolio, or at USDA or another relevant federal agency, is highly valued.
• Proven ability to independently manage client relationships and lead advocacy strategy with minimal oversight.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience drafting testimony, talking points, and client-ready analysis.
• A track record of business development or a demonstrated ability to grow client relationships.
• Ability to effectively represent a broad client portfolio across a bipartisan policymaker base.
• High degree of proficiency in Microsoft Office; experience using and training artificial intelligence tools is a plus.