Remote Political Science Research Assistant Jobs in Indiana

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain strong proactive relationships with county commissioners, plan commissions, BZA members, planning directors, and zoning staff through routine, face-to-face engagement.
• Serve as a statewide trusted resource on livestock production, zoning best practices, and agricultural land use issues, helping counties and members understand the broader context behind livestock proposals and rural development trends.
• Equip livestock producers and county Farm Bureau leaders to effectively navigate local planning and zoning processes, including understanding permit requirements, and engage effectively in public hearings.
• Prepare members for testimony by providing coaching, tools and practice opportunities to help members deliver credible, constructive testimony and strengthen community relations.
• Develop and deliver educational programs for local officials on modern livestock production, environmental safeguards, zoning best practices, and agricultural land-use considerations
• Track local trends affecting agriculture including, renewable energy siting, development pressures, annexation and rural land use conflicts, in coordination with regional managers, commodity partners and the Indiana livestock team.
• Provide analysis and recommendations to IFB leadership on local trends, ordinance proposals, and potential impacts to members.
• Coordinate with regional managers and county Farm Bureaus to build and maintain local networks of informed members who monitor zoning activity, engage early with local officials, and elevate agricultural perspectives.
• Represent Indiana Farm Bureau at meetings, hearings, and events with local officials, agriculture groups, and community stakeholders
• Contribute to development of updated educational materials, zoning guides, and communication tools for counties and members.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in livestock production, local government, planning & zoning, land-use policy, or related agricultural roles.
• Strong understanding of Indiana agriculture and rural community dynamics
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex topics to non-ag audiences in a clear, credible, and engaging manner.
• Experience working with or presenting to local government bodies (plan commissions, BZAs, county commissioners, councils).
• Ability to build relationships, manage sensitive issues, and adapt communication strategies.
• Self-directed, organized, and able to manage multiple projects across the state.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Direct experience in livestock production or livestock industry organizations.
• Experience with county zoning ordinances, comprehensive plans, and land-use permitting.
• Familiarity with rural land-use trends.
• Preferred: Prior involvement with Farm Bureau or grassroots agricultural organizations.

Education

• Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, animal science, public affairs, planning, political science, or related field.

Core Competencies:

• Relationship Building - Establishes credibility and rapport with diverse stakeholders, including producers, elected officials, and community leaders, through consistency, follow-through, and genuine engagement.
• Communication - Translates technical or bureaucratic content into clear, accessible language tailored to the listener's background.
• Collaborative Partnership - Works effectively alongside organizational staff, members, and allied groups toward shared goals, sharing credit and coordinating effort.
• Situational Judgment - Reads context quickly and adjusts approach accordingly, making sound decisions in ambiguous or fast-moving situations without needing explicit direction.
• Organization & Self-Direction - Independently plans and manages a complex workload — travel, meetings, and follow-up commitments — across a wide geographic territory with minimal oversight.
• Proactivity / Initiative - Anticipates needs and acts ahead of being asked, surfacing issues early and pursuing opportunities rather than waiting for direction.
• Diplomacy & Tact - Navigates sensitive topics and competing interests with discretion and respect, preserving relationships even when delivering difficult messages.

Working Conditions:

• Approximately 75% of time will be in-state travel for Regional Manager support, committee meetings, and farm visits.
• Approximately 25% of work time will occur in the evenings and on weekends.
• Remaining 25% of time will be split between the Indiana Farm Bureau home office for meetings and remote work.
• Ability to present, communicate, and traverse both office and agricultural environments.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, and travel (by car or air) as needed to conduct business
• Ability to move about various locations, including hotel meeting facilities, convention centers, and farms
• Manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate a computer and standard office equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing
• Occasional lifting of up to 25 lbs.
• Reasonable accommodations available for individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions