The Director, Regulatory Affairs drafts comments and other advocacy documents for proposed regulations, especially environmental regulations, as well as for legislation. They also perform regulatory and policy analysis and research on various issues important for the trade association for U.S. manufacturers of pulp, paper, packaging, and tissue products. Reporting to the VP, Public Policy, the position collaborates with colleagues, members and coalitions to focus efforts and ensure AF&PA’s regulatory priorities are addressed through unified industry positions. It uses analytic and policy expertise to anticipate key regulatory and policy issues and develop and implement positions and strategies and engage in other activities to support member priorities.

The below description provides more detail on American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), this important role and how you will impact the industry.

Working at AF&PA:

The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) values diverse backgrounds and capabilities and invites all talented individuals to apply to be part of our team and support our culture and mission. We encourage the exchange of knowledge, innovative ideas and different perspectives to reach our goals and we support work/life balance.

Essential job functions:

• Analyze regulations, policy proposals, scientific/technical reports, standards and bills from EPA and other government agencies, think tanks, academia, non-governmental organizations, etc. to identify key insights.
• Identify and effectively communicate to the public policy team and other colleagues the potential impacts/opportunities to the paper products industry; and help develop legal, policy and economic arguments for the industry.
• Help design and support research projects on policy issues such as economic and employment impacts of environmental regulations, as well as the carbon benefits of bioenergy and industry products and byproducts.
• Manage outside consultants working on policy analysis and economic studies for AF&PA.
• Keep up with literature and research from other organizations on the forest products industry.
• Interface with other associations, coalitions and think tanks on various industry-related issues.
• Deliver persuasive communication to industry and non-industry audiences.
• Help to respond to member company inquiries regarding policy issues facing the paper and wood products industry.

Qualifications:

If your knowledge, skills and abilities are transferrable and you think you’re a great candidate for AF&PA - please consider applying even if you do not meet all the criteria listed below.

• Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in public policy, environmental science, economics or related field; juris doctor or master’s degree preferred.
• Seven or more years of relevant experience required; however, a juris doctor paired with relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience with regulatory environmental issues including advocacy, technical and economic analyses, and filing public comments on agency rulemakings.
• Experience analyzing federal regulations, including their legal and economic impact; preferably related to manufacturing.
• Ability to draft comments and advocacy documents that clear, concise, and focused on priority issues.
• Ability to effectively perform research, analyze policy and contribute to policy development.
• High degree of analytical ability to address legal, policy and economic issues.
• Solid understanding of the federal regulatory process, and the ability to effectively participate in rulemakings.
• Ability to effectively contribute to organizational and team initiatives with minimal direction.
• Skilled at active listening and learning, facilitation and consensus-building, focusing on desired outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically, anticipate needs, and identify actions for favorable outcomes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills to effectively communicate issues to multiple audiences from generalists to technical experts.
• Ability to work as an effective team member.
• Skilled at using Microsoft Office.
• Ability to juggle multiple responsibilities with high quality execution and performance.
• Knowledge of major sectors of the forest products industry value chain, including paper products, wood products, and forestry preferred.

Compensation and Benefits:

The salary for this position is expected to be between $140,000-$155,000. This is a good-faith estimate based on market data for comparable positions and the current budgeted amount for this role. Factors to be considered when determining the salary of the selected candidate include relevant skills, experience and knowledge, and the alignment of these qualities with those of existing staff.

We offer a generous benefits package that currently includes:

• Paid Vacation, Personal and Sick leave totaling 27-42 days per year (based on relevant experience), plus holidays and paid Parental Leave
• 100%-85% paid CareFirst medical plans for employees and their families
• Generous 401(k) retirement plan with up to 9% employer contribution (after waiting period)
• Free fitness center and pickleball courts at the DC office location
• Plus dental, vision, life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account...

Location:

We are located on 13^th Street, NW between F and G, (directly above Metro Station). Our office is hybrid, which includes up to two days of remote work.

About AF&PA

AF&PA serves to advance public policies that foster economic growth, job creation and global competitiveness for a vital sector that makes the essential paper and packaging products Americans use every day. The U.S. forest products industry employs more than 925,000 people, largely in rural America, and is?among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers?in 44 states. Our industry accounts for approximately 4.7% of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP, manufacturing more than $435 billion in products annually. AF&PA member companies are significant producers and users of renewable biomass energy and are committed to making sustainable products for a sustainable future through the industry’s decades-long initiative — Better Practices, Better Planet 2030. Visit AF&PA online at afandpa.org or follow us on X @ForestandPaper.

Equal Employment Opportunity

AF&PA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and welcomes all talented individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status or other category protected by law.

Your Rights

Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. Information may be found on the Department of Labor’s website (https://www.dol.gov) as well as through these available notices: Know Your Rights; Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA); Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA); and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).