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Director of Agricultural Development

Rainmaker· Business Development
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Washington, DC$150k - $175kFull-timePosted 1mo ago

About the role

Director-level role focused on USDA engagement, policy development, and federal funding strategies to advance Rainmaker’s agricultural water conservation and precipitation enhancement initiatives. Based in Washington, DC with domestic travel.

Responsibilities

  • USDA Engagement: Own Rainmaker’s relationship with USDA end to end, specifically NRCS at national HQ, regional and local offices, along with FSA, RMA, ARS, ERS, and NIFA.
  • Conservation Program Development: Identify and secure USDA funding vehicles for precipitation enhancement as a conservation practice; own proposal development and follow-through.
  • Farm Bill & Legislative Strategy: Own Farm Bill strategy, track conservation and research titles, develop legislative proposals and appropriations language.
  • Congressional Engagement: Maintain relationships with House and Senate Agriculture Committees and related subcommittees; prepare briefing materials.
  • State & Federal Alignment: Collaborate with State Government Affairs to align federal authorities and funding with state and basin needs.
  • Agricultural Coalition Building: Represent Rainmaker in Washington’s agricultural community and identify shared advocacy opportunities.
  • Regional & Producer-Facing Work: Build relationships with state conservationists, extension services, and producer groups; translate needs for federal program managers.
  • Field Demonstrations & Site Visits: Organize visits to demonstrate technology and its fit in agricultural water systems.

Qualifications

  • 10+ years in agricultural policy, conservation policy, or agricultural government relations.
  • Thorough working knowledge of USDA operations at national and state/regional levels.
  • In-depth command of USDA conservation and water programs and how producers access them.
  • Strong Farm Bill understanding: its writing, reauthorization, funding, and interaction with appropriations.
  • Track record of developing programs and securing federal funding (grants, cooperative agreements, cost-share).
  • Current relationships across USDA, Congressional agriculture committees, and the Washington agricultural community.
  • Understanding of western water policy and agricultural water landscape.
  • Ability to operate as strategist and hands-on operator in a fast-paced startup environment.
  • Direct agricultural or ranching background is a bonus.
  • Must be based in Washington, DC with willingness to travel domestically.

Skills

Required:USDA stakeholder managementFarm Bill expertiseLegislative and regulatory strategyConservation program funding

Benefits

  • Significant stock options with high upside at an early-stage company
  • 401(k) with employer matching
  • Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision)
  • Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Paid parental leave for both parents
Last updated Oct 23, 2026. Interested? Apply on the company site.
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About Rainmaker

Make rain. Make snow. Make droughts end.

Rainmaker uses drone-based cloud seeding to increase rainfall, restore ecosystems, and fight drought. Learn how our scalable weather technology brings water to the West.

cloud seeding companyweather modificationdrone cloud seedingrainfall enhancementdrought solutions
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