Policy Fellow - Agricultural Innovation

About ClearPath, Inc
ClearPath's mission is to accelerate American innovation to reduce global energy emissions. To advance that mission, we develop cutting-edge policy solutions on clean energy and industrial innovation. An entrepreneurial, strategic nonprofit, ClearPath (501(c)(3)) collaborates with public and private sector stakeholders on innovations in nuclear energy, geothermal, hydropower, natural gas, energy storage, critical minerals, carbon capture and heavy industry to enable private-sector deployment of critical technologies. Started in 2014 by entrepreneur Jay Faison, ClearPath is a conservative energy advocacy organization that engages in the direct education of policymakers within Congress, the White House, Executive Agencies with energy and environmental jurisdiction, and regulators.

ClearPath team members believe in small government, free markets, and American entrepreneurship. Those principles form the basis for how the team analyzes proposed clean energy and climate policy.

ClearPath Values:

• Teamwork: We empower each other to accomplish our shared mission.
• Purpose: We believe the principles of limited government, free markets, and fiscal responsibility are essential to achieving our mission.
• Ownership: We empower teammates to visibly own and achieve goals.
• Adaptability: We are open to new, complex ideas and test our assumptions to lead change and advance our mission.
• Curiosity: We have a proactive desire to learn, grow, and improve ourselves, our ideas, and our mission in a thoughtful and focused way.
• Credibility: We agree that being trustworthy and believable is everything for building and maintaining influence.

Job Summary

The Agricultural Innovation Policy Fellow will join ClearPath's policy team to support the development of policy recommendations across a growing portfolio focused on agricultural innovation. This includes advancing policies that scale breakthrough technologies, enhance productivity, and reduce emissions across the agriculture sector.

This position is part of ClearPath's Conservative Climate Leadership Program (CCLP)-a one-year fellowship designed to develop the next generation of conservative clean energy and climate leaders. Fellows gain hands-on experience in federal policy, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communications while working directly with ClearPath's policy and government affairs teams.

The Fellow will support policy research and analysis, legislative tracking, stakeholder outreach, and communications efforts that inform ClearPath's work with Congress, federal agencies, and industry partners.

Job Description

Research & Analysis:

• Conduct research on market-based policy trends, including innovative financing mechanisms to support agri-tech innovators, agricultural biotechnology to expand commodity markets, agricultural trade, soil carbon, and on-farm productivity innovations
• Produce written materials such as policy briefs, memos, blogs, and backgrounders
• Track federal legislation, regulatory activity, and agency initiatives related to USDA programs and agricultural policy
• Analyze emerging technologies such as microbial fertilizers and carbon sequestration solutions and assess policy implications
• Support rapid-response research needs for congressional and stakeholder inquiries

Strategic Thinking & Execution:

• Support execution of ClearPath's agricultural innovation policy strategy
• Assist in prioritizing research areas aligned with organizational goals
• Contribute to identifying gaps ("white space") in current policy and innovation efforts

Communications, Relationship Building & Influencing:

• Draft clear, concise content translating complex agricultural and technical topics for policymakers and stakeholders
• Support development of materials for Capitol Hill briefings, events, and external engagement
• Assist in stakeholder outreach, including coordination with industry, researchers, and agricultural organizations
• Contribute to public-facing thought leadership such as blogs and explainers

Capabilities

• Deliberative decision making - gather, consider, and evaluate all relevant information to make logical conclusions before being moved to action. Is able to put aside personal biases and take an objective approach to making decisions based on data or other pertinent facts.
• Analytical thinking - have the capability and the inclination to identify and synthesize information from diverse sources by looking for patterns in data, making connections between seemingly unrelated events, and understanding how different parts of a system are interdependent.
• Learning agility - able to discern patterns in data, recognize relationships between concepts, and rapidly apply learning from one context to solve analogous problems in different contexts.
• Scientific acumen - consistently and appropriately implement best practices in scientific inquiry and empirical reasoning to identify trends in data.
• Information seeking - have an underlying curiosity and desire to know more about things, people, or issues. Go beyond routine questions and dig for exact information to resolve discrepancies.
• Quality focus - are able to manage the efficiency, accuracy, completeness, and integrity of the work that they produce. Recommend improvements in procedures to continually improve the quality of work produced.
• Time management - able to manage multiple responsibilities by being organized and keeping on top of important time sensitive tasks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, public policy, economics, political science, or a related field
• Strong interest in agricultural innovation, clean energy, or climate policy
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or academic experience related to agriculture, energy, or public policy
• Familiarity with U.S. agriculture policy, USDA programs, or conservation initiatives
• Interest in agricultural technologies such as precision agriculture, fertilizers, or methane reduction
• Experience with data analysis, policy research, or communications tools

Compensation Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Annual bonus, historically awarded.
• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
• Retirement Benefit offering an employer matching contribution of employee contributions $1 for $1 on the first 5% of pay contributed.
• No set vacation policy - take what you need whenever workflow allows.
• Fully stocked office kitchen in a newly renovated building on Capitol Hill.

At ClearPath, we value a diverse and inclusive workforce. We believe our team is the key to making an impact and fulfilling our mission. ClearPath is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.