The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an internationally recognized, independent research, publishing, and education center working to strengthen environmental protection by improving law and governance worldwide. The Institute brings together science and policy to deliver just and practical legal and policy solutions for environmental, economic, and social progress across the United States and around the world.
ELIÔÇÖs Research & Policy experts assemble interdisciplinary teams to improve environmental law and its implementation. ELI staff work on todayÔÇÖs most challenging issues, including climate change; environmental justice; natural resource management; land conservation and smart growth; biodiversity loss and habitat destruction; and air, water, and soil pollution. A hallmark of the InstituteÔÇÖs work is its longstanding record of working closely with government agencies at all levels and with communities and non-governmental organizations to support achievement of their environmental, sustainability, and justice goals.
ELI attorneys, scientists, and policy analysts work together to develop and carry out projects that respond to the urgent environmental issues of today and anticipate tomorrowÔÇÖs challenges. This includes identifying how to use existing law to solve new problems, building the capacity of each sector to better undertake its role, and promoting effective public participation in environmental decision making. We collaborate to execute varied project and program tasks including, but not limited to, research, analysis, writing, outreach, and program development. Our attorneys are skilled researchers, widely published authors, well-respected experts in their areas of focus, inspiring and supportive colleagues, and dedicated to making a difference.
We are currently seeking an Attorney who will work within the Research & Policy division. The division engages with government, nongovernmental, and private sector stakeholders to help them improve the legal and institutional frameworks governing sustainable development at the international, national, and subnational levels. Current initiatives cover a wide range of topics, from educational programs on the Clean Water ActÔÇÖs total maximum daily load program, to educating judges about the latest climate science, to the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in Southern Africa, to tracking and disseminating recent movement at the state and federal levels relating to environmental justice; and these initiatives involve varying tasks, from in-depth research to convening small- and large-scale events.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Serve as a subject matter expert and perform extensive legal and policy research and analysis in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner as well as communicating on areas of expertise to support partners or external communications.
Serve as a project manager by designing, developing, and managing projects, consistent with ELIÔÇÖs mission and project parameters. This includes performing, assigning, and supervising delegated project tasks, and ensuring adherence to project budgets and timelines.
Manage and mentor staff assigned to their projects.
Develop outputs on law and policy topics in a range of formats and for many audiences.
Facilitate and coordinate meetings and communications with partners and other stakeholders and represent the Institute publicly as needed to communicate and foster programs and projects.
Develop (and assist others with) grant and contract proposals and provide other development support to secure sufficient funding that supports high-quality programs and projects.
Be available to external parties and partners and engage when there are opportunities to broaden or deepen understanding of key issues or key aspects of ELIÔÇÖs work.
Periodic travel to domestic and international destinations as projects require.
QUALIFICATIONS
J.D. or equivalent degree.
A minimum of 10 years of post-law school experience in the environmental law and policy field.
A track record as a recognized thought leader in one of ELIÔÇÖs areas of interest.
Excellent skills in policy and legal research, analytical writing, and verbal communication.
Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them.
Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills.
Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Well-developed judgment to assess needs, develop strategy, establish priorities, and effectively manage multiple tasks at the same time with moderate supervision.
