Regulatory and Referral Program Manager

Job Title: Regulatory and Referral Program Manager

Organization:  Council for Healthy Food Systems (CHFS)

Location: Remote, based anywhere in Texas

Reports to:  Executive Director

Compensation: $65,000/ year

About the Organization

The Council for Healthy Food Systems (CHFS) is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit, focused on providing educational programs and resources that support farmers and local food producers in building ecologically and economically sustainable operations.

Position Summary

The Regulatory and Referral Program Manager is a senior position responsible for designing and delivering regulatory education, referral resources, and intake support for CHFS’s grant-funded farmer assistance programs. The Manager leads the development of clear, accessible materials that help farmers and ranchers understand and navigate complex federal and state regulatory and program requirements, with a particular focus on USDA-related services.

This position plays a central role in building and overseeing the organization’s new Regulatory Support and Resource Referral Call Line. In the early phase of the program, the Manager will work with the Executive Director to develop materials and respond to calls or inquiries.  Over time, the role shifts toward managing complex or high-impact cases, maintaining referral pathways, and ensuring that screening tools, educational materials, and guidance remain accurate, current, and responsive to participant needs.

The Regulatory and Referral Program Manager works closely with the Program Director, and Grants and Program Intake Coordinator, as well as with USDA and other partners, to align outreach, education, and referral efforts. This role is designed for professionals with experience in regulatory navigation, public-sector or USDA programs, or compliance education who enjoy translating complex requirements into practical guidance. It is not a legal representation role, nor a call-center position, but rather a senior program role focused on education, referral, and problem-solving.

This is a 3-year grant-funded position.

Key Responsibilities

Regulatory Analysis

• Research and monitor regulations applicable to small farms and ranches in Texas related to production, processing, marketing, and distribution.

• Exercise professional judgment in interpreting regulatory frameworks and identifying practical pathways for farmers and ranchers to comply with requirements or access programs.

• Working with the Executive Director, develop clear, plain-language handouts and guidance materials that translate regulatory requirements into actionable steps for producers.

Resource Development

• Research, compile, and maintain USDA, FDA, Texas Department of Agriculture, and Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board, and allied NGO resources, referral options, and program guidance.
• Develop written materials and tools to support participant understanding of government programs.
• Maintain ongoing communication with USDA and other agency staff to ensure accuracy, alignment, and effective referrals.

Call Line Program Development & Support

• Design and refine screening questions and intake tools for the Regulatory Support and Resource Referral Call Line.
• Working with the Communications Director, design and implement a phased Call Line outreach and marketing plan targeting multiple geographic regions within Texas.
• Participate in Call Line intake during program start up to support early implementation and quality control; over time, focus primarily on complex or high-impact cases requiring regulatory navigation and troubleshooting that exceeds the written materials and tools.
• Provide advanced guidance and case management support for participants facing regulatory issues or procedural barriers to accessing programs and services.

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.

Qualifications

• 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 accessible resources.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, especially with government partners.
• 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.

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 2-3 writing samples to Judith@HealthyFoodSystems.org with the subject line: Regulatory and Referral Program Manager  – [Your Name]. Writing samples should demonstrate the ability to explain complex regulatory or programmatic information clearly to a non-technical audience.

Applications will be reviewed starting on January 12, and continuing on a rolling basis until the position is filled.