Job Tag: Law/Policy

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry and represents more than 1,000 member companies and 255,000 Americans working across the United States. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy and is creating the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. We work with our member companies and strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.

Position Summary

The Director of Regulatory Affairs is responsible for the development and implementation of SEIA’s policies and positions and execution of solar + storage policy goals at a host of federal agencies, including but not limited to Treasury, EPA, Interior, DOE, FERC, and in Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs). Tax policy, land use, wildlife issues, energy markets, transmission and interconnection, carbon regulation and other environmental policies are critical arenas for the organization and its member companies.

The Director develops policy positions in conjunction with SEIA members and staff, drafts regulatory filings, and engages in direct advocacy. The position reports to the Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs, who reports to the VP of State and Regulatory Affairs. The Director is based in Washington, D.C., and is expected to attend in-person meetings in and around Washington regularly.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

Represents SEIA regarding energy, natural resources, and environmental policy matters of importance to the solar industry before federal Executive Branch agencies.
Manages and leads SEIA members and coalition partners in multiple venues to advance SEIA’s policy objectives at federal energy and environmental agencies, including consensus-building on complex federal policy matters.
Develops and maintains relationships with relevant agency staff and others involved in the policymaking process and conducts direct advocacy with the Administration.
Drafts regulatory filings and legal pleadings on behalf of the organization for submission in RTO, regulatory, and court proceedings.
Coordinates with SEIA’s Director of Energy Markets, Director of Storage Markets & Policy, and other regulatory affairs and state relations staff on cross-cutting issues.
Collaborates with SEIA’s Communications team to formulate talking points and incorporate communications strategy into SEIA’s advocacy initiatives.
Produces written materials in support of SEIA’s advocacy and regulatory efforts.
Communicates with SEIA members, organizes committee and working group activities, and responds to member company inquiries.
Attends meetings and briefings on behalf of the Association, providing summaries and analyses of proceedings and advising senior management on emerging issues.
Supports the conferences and tradeshows SEIA organizes through panel participation, content generation, speaker identification, and on-site staffing of the conferences.

Professional Experience, Education & Other Qualifications

A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a public policy-related discipline. A law degree is preferred but not required. Experience drafting regulatory filings is required.
4-8 years of public policy or regulatory advocacy experience; experience working in an Executive Branch agency or in Congress a plus.
Experience working with the Department of the Treasury, Interior (including the Fish and Wildlife Service), U.S. EPA, FERC, and/or the Department of Energy.
An open-minded and creative approach to regulatory advocacy, with coalition-building skills to leverage like-minded organizations and situational allies.
The ability to work directly with SEIA members, with excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills.
Excellent written communication skills and the proven ability to draft rulemaking or other comments on behalf of a client.
The ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced team environment.
A strong work ethic, service-oriented approach, excellent judgment, and highest level of integrity and professionalism.

Working Conditions

Work is in an office environment
May be occasionally required to stand, walk, or reach with arms
Travel required (approximately 15%)

Compensation Range

$115,000 – $140,000 annually, based on experience and excellent benefits package.

PLUS Communications is looking for a Energy Policy Director to provide public affairs and policy expertise, communications strategy and messaging direction, strategic planning, and client relationship management for a large-scale client in the energy industry.

Your day in this position includes:

Serving as a key advisor to the client – providing counsel on day-to-day communications efforts and long-term strategies.
Develop strategic messaging and communications plans around complex energy policy issues.
Serving as a resource in the energy space for targeted reporters – for background conversations about relevant policy issues.
Crafting narratives by distilling complex energy policy and regulatory information into tangible messaging for a variety of audiences.
Developing, writing, and editing media and messaging materials (such as press releases, talking points, media statements, opinion pieces, fact sheets).
Serving as a liaison between PLUS’ internal team, the client, other agency partners and external vendors.

Requirements

This job may be for you, if you:

Exhibit deep, technical knowledge on energy policy.
Have proven experience crafting communication plans and messages about energy issues and policy.
Can work together with our clients’ public affairs teams to develop strategic communication plans.
Can identify and communicate the nuances of energy policy to key stakeholders.
Have strong organizational skills and ability to manage several projects simultaneously to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Have a solutions-oriented mindset.
Can balance a high-volume workload while maintaining attention to the details.
Can motivate a team to deliver high-quality results in challenging situations.
Are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, no matter the time commitment.

What we require:

8-10 years of relevant experience in public policy – on Capitol Hill, in the administration, at a think tank
Deep and technical knowledge of energy policy.
Interest in public affairs and policy issues; ability to synthesize technical content.
Experience managing comprehensive communications campaigns.
Experience working directly with press and a rolodex of energy or sustainability reporters.
Understanding of the communications landscape and how various communications channels work (i.e. digital, print, social, broadcast).
Proven experience in writing and editing materials and a strong understanding of AP Style.

The Development Innovation Lab (DIL) at the Unviersity of Chicago is seeking to hire a Policy Analyst to support the Innovation Commission for Climate Change, Food Security and Agriculture. The Commission will promote innovations with the potential to address interlinked challenges of climate change and agriculture. Chaired by Professor Michael Kremer, this global Commission will convene an independent and high-level group of former heads of state, finance ministers, and private sector leaders. The Policy Analyst will be a key member of the Commission Secretariat, contributing to evidence synthesis, writing, data analysis, and program administration efforts, among other responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Supports analysis of policy challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and low agricultural productivity.
Reviews and maps academic and policy literatures.
Drafts research and policy-oriented materials under minimum supervision.
Supports economic appraisal, including cost-benefit analysis, of proposals.
Supports research and policy activities, including stakeholder engagements.
Maintains technical and administrative support for a research project.
Analyzes and maintains data and/or specimens. Conducts literature reviews. Assists with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents.
Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Since 1989, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society.

Reporting to the President and Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel is charged with providing independent, strategic legal guidance and management of organizational legal risks and opportunities. In this new General Counsel role for CIEL, you will partner with leadership to develop a strong legal framework in support of organizational effectiveness and innovation, nonprofit corporate, legal compliance, employment, labor, contract, and intellectual property, and risk management. Additionally, you will direct outside counsel in the event of litigation and advise on a wide range of matters, including evaluating and mitigating legal exposure and risk, and defense against SLAPP litigation. You will also provide input and advice on governance issues to the Board of Directors.

This role will be a great fit for you if you are a highly experienced and skilled in-house attorney with a track record of non-profit legal work, and commitment to social and environmental justice. You must strategically think about the big picture and how to always improve our legal systems and practices. You thrive and remain steady under pressure, efficiently manage priorities and projects, and possess great attention to detail.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Advising

Advise executives, senior management, and board on various matters such as legal rights, policy issues, internal governance, new and existing laws, legal trends, and mitigation. Emphasis will be placed on nonprofit corporate, legal compliance, employment, labor, contract, intellectual property, evaluating and mitigating legal exposure and risk, and defense against SLAPP litigation.
Collaborate with the Director of Talent, Equity, and Culture to ensure personnel policies and practices adhere to CIEL’s values and applicable law.

Legal Leadership

Develop and maintain a strong legal framework in support of organizational effectiveness, innovation, compliance, and risk mitigation, and ensure best practices are followed.
Establish an efficient, effective system for reviewing external communications to minimize legal exposure and risk.
If and as necessary, lead and drive successful litigation strategies, in coordination with outside counsel, to defend the organization and activists, including in SLAPP suits.
Collaborate with core leadership team to ensure CIEL maintains appropriate document retention policies and practices.
Ensure high-quality contract review systems to protect organizational interests.
Analyze and interpret issues and prepare legal opinions.
Anticipate issues and estimate risks strategically, identifying proactive solutions that will eliminate or mitigate risks.
Create and maintain strong working relationships with skilled outside attorneys across multiple practice areas and movement coalitions.
Liaise with external consultants and counsel, including in Geneva, as needed.

Compliance and Legal Matter Management

Ensure organizational compliance with federal, state and local laws, including non-profit corporate and tax, lobbying for 501(c)(3) organization.
Optimize and oversee compliance, including working closely with the Chief Financial Officer and HR Director to support and provide legal guidance on HR policies, compliance with employment and labor laws, financial regulation, and clean financial audits
Support Chief Financial Officer in ensuring timely charitable fundraising registrations and compliance with fundraising regulations, such as licensing forms and other statutory filings.
Examine and create draft agreements, such as employment and vendor agreements.
Maintain knowledge of organization’s operations and legal documents.
Create new entities and manage the organization’s intellectual property.

Administration:

Maintain timesheets and submit them on time.
Meet periodically as requested, with supervisor and other team members.
Participate in weekly staff and team meetings and other organizational activities, including an annual staff performance evaluation.
Meet target dates, prioritize tasks, and ensure high-quality work products.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications:

Minimum 7 years of legal experience with 3 years in an attorney management role, including a track record for translating strategic thinking and legal analysis into action plans, outputs and results
Outstanding judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Ability to thrive and make decisions in a fast-changing and deadline driven environment, including managing multiple priorities and projects, anticipating future needs and maintaining attention to detail
Exceptional and persuasive written and verbal communicator, including experience working with non-lawyers and explaining complex legal concepts in a comprehensive way
An intrinsic and unwavering support for justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond
Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as needed
Juris Doctor degree from accredited law school and current state license to practice law
Knowledge of statutes, rules and regulations pertaining to businesses and nonprofit organizations
Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience with legal advising or representation of international, nonprofit, environmental, activist, and/or human rights organizations
At least 10 years of legal experience with 5 years in an attorney management role
Admitted to the Bar of the District of Columbia

The United States is poised for a decade of supercharged clean energy growth, following new state and local commitments to renewable energy and the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Environment America is hiring an advocate to leverage this progress to develop new and stronger clean energy champions in Congress.

As our Government Relations Manager for Clean Energy, you’ll organize events with members of Congress, brief Hill staff on the latest clean energy news, and powermap districts to understand what clean energy progress looks like “back home.â€

You’ll develop strong, collaborative relationships with Democrats, Republicans, and anybody else excited about the promise of clean energy.

And, you’ll work closely with our 30 state offices, communications experts and organizers to help our largest-ever federal climate law live up to its promise by ensuring millions of Americans hear about and utilize new clean energy tax credits.

If you are passionate about the environment, highly organized and goal-oriented, and skilled at working with people, you can make a big impact in this role. This position requires exercising excellent judgment, discretion and the ability to oversee significant projects.

Representative responsibilities:

Government relations: Develop and manage collaborative relationships with congressional targets and their staff, including Democrats and Republicans.
Coalition building: Recruit and work collaboratively with others who can support our project, including groups in our Congressional targets’ home states and districts.
Communications and media outreach: Serve as a spokesperson for our clean energy campaigns. Draft materials for lawmakers, the public, and the media including opinion editorials, press releases, campaign action emails, factsheets, bill summaries, regulatory comments and presentations.
Campaign strategy: Identify opportunities to deepen relationships and cultivate legislative champions through media and communications, events, grassroots organizing and VIP and coalition engagement.
Research: Take complex data and distill it into clear, powerful conclusions that are easy to communicate to decision-makers and the public.
Fundraise from individual donors and foundations to support Environment America’s work.
Recruit and train new staff, interns and volunteers.

If these qualities sounds like you, we hope you’ll apply to join our team:

A good lobbyist who can advocate, persuade and cultivate relationships (experience in a legislative office within Congress is preferred),
An effective communicator with excellent writing and verbal skills,
A creative and strategic thinker,
Well-organized, able to work independently to achieve goals while balancing urgent and important needs,
Experienced in campaign advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building and/or campaign politics for at least 2 years,
And passionate about clean energy.

About the Position
It is anticipated that the attorney hired for this position will provide legal services/advice to the Water Resources Department related to environmental law and will represent the City in water and wastewater law, municipal utilities, environmental law, water quality, Superfund/CERCLA issues, and other related regulatory and land use issues. This position will review and draft contracts, permits, and agreements with governmental and non-governmental entities, regulatory agencies, and Indian communities; draft, review, and interpret resolutions and ordinances; review legal forms such as bids, contracts, and bonds for services and supplies related to environmental, water, wastewater and utilities matters. This position may provide legal services to one or more additional City departments and Boards and Commissions. Other responsibilities may include providing legal advice in one or more of the following areas: open meeting law, public records law, elections law, licensing, public housing and/or human services. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience in general municipal law or a related field.

CITY ATTORNEY ASSISTANT II
Performs duties and responsibilities commensurate with assigned functional which may include, but are not limited to, any combination of the following:

Provide legal advice, prepare legal opinions and memoranda for the guidance of City divisions and departments, employees, and occasionally the City Council.
Remain apprised of current court decisions and legislation and advise relevant City divisions of the effects of those developments on the City’s business.
Draft, review, and edit contracts and other City documents.
Attend and provide legal advice at Board, Commission, and City Council meetings, as directed.
Provide legal representation in federal, state, and local administrative matters.

CITY ATTORNEY ASSISTANT II
Education and Experience

Graduation from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association.
Five years’ experience in the practice of law.
Preferred: Experience in municipal or public law.

Licensing, Certifications and Other Requirements

Current membership in the Arizona State Bar Association.
Every person employed by the City of Scottsdale shall reside in the State of Arizona during his or her active employment by the City, regardless of whether the employee is approved to remote work.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the government agency responsible for protecting air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Air District is tasked with regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the nine counties that surround San Francisco Bay: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano, and southern Sonoma counties. It is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors composed of locally elected officials from each of the nine counties. The Air District’s mission is to create a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident, while protecting and improving public health, air quality and the global climate.

The Air District aims to achieve its mission through many strategic goals, including: reducing and eliminating health problems caused by air pollution, achieving and maintaining air quality standards, leading the Bay Area’s efforts to fight global climate change, creating high-quality regulatory programs, and applying environmental best practices in all operations. To do so, the Air District regulates air pollution emissions from stationary emission sources such as factories, refineries, and power plants, and from smaller facilities like gas stations and dry cleaners. The Air District ensures that such facilities comply with air pollution laws and regulations, provides incentives to replace older, higher-emitting vehicles and equipment with cleaner alternatives, and gives grants and provides outreach to encourage healthy clean air choices by businesses and consumers. The Air District implements these efforts with an equity focus, aiming to reduce air quality disparities and promote environmental justice by targeting local air pollution in overburdened communities.

The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.

The Air District is recruiting for the position of Senior Assistant Counsel in the Legal Office. This is a full-time, exempt, management position. There are up to two (2) vacancies.

The Air District is also recruiting for the Assistant Counsel I/II position concurrently with this recruitment for the Senior Assistant Counsel position. Applicants may apply for one or both positions at the same time.

Description of the Position:

Under direction, the position assists in administering and coordinating all phases of legal work for the Legal Division; performs the most specialized, complex and sensitive legal work; performs related work as assigned.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This single-position class has responsibility for assisting the General Counsel with departmental administrative matters and for handling the serious, controversial and complex legal matters. In addition, the Senior Assistant Counsel provides advice and counsel to the Board of Directors, the Hearing Board, the Advisory Council, and District management. This class is distinguished from the General Counsel in that the latter has overall management and administrative responsibility for all Air District legal matters.

Examples of Duties for this Position

(Illustrative Only)

Assists in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the Counsel’s office; assists in the administration of the department’s budget.

Plans, organizes, administers, reviews and evaluates the activities of professional and support staff; assists in the selection of staff and provides for their training and professional development.

Provides technical advice to attorneys in the office; handles the more complex and difficult litigation and negotiations.

Confers with and advises District departments and prepares legal opinions concerning their duties, powers, functions and obligations.

Represents the District in court cases encompassing a wide variety of complex environmental legal issues including all phases of pretrial, trial and appellate work in state and/or federal courts.

Monitors legal developments including legislation and court decisions related to environmental law and activities and evaluates their impact upon District operations.

Prepares pleadings, motions, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, leases, permits and other legal documents.

Attends meetings of the Board of Directors, the Hearing Boards, the Advisory Council and other commissions and committees as required.

Acts as the Counsel on a relief basis.
Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills is:

Equivalent to graduation from a college or university plus and appropriate law degree and four years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of environmental law with a public agency in the State of California.

Our office is seeking attorneys with a minimum of three (3) years’ litigation experience handling Environmental matters to join our office. This practice area has a 1,950 hour requirement. Additionally, we offer a generous bonus structure for those choosing to exceed 1,950 hours.
Responsibilities

Duties include but are not limited to independently managing a litigation caseload from beginning to end, communicating with clients and providing timely reporting, appearing at depositions and various court appearances and working closely with other attorneys and Partners on matters.
Qualifications

Qualified candidates will have credentials from an ABA approved law school, an active license with the West Virginia State Bar in which this office is located, and possess excellent communication skills. We are known for our diversity, LGBTQ and Women’s initiative groups, just to name a few, which offer excellent opportunities for growth and advancement. We offer a competitive benefits and salary package, including 401K w/ employer contribution.

The Policy Advisor, International Climate Policy, reports to the International Climate Policy team and works with TNC country program staff and Global Teams to provide strategic direction and coordination to increase and improve in-country policies, programs, and regulations related to Natural Climate Solutions. They provide policy analyses, design advocacy and outreach strategies, and work with country staff to utilize available tools, data, and resources to shape and influence state and national policies, programs, and regulations.

This is a term-limited position, for which funding has been secured for 18 months. There may be a possibility of an extension, depending on business need and/or funding opportunities.

Duties include:

• Coordinates TNC global and in-country efforts to develop and execute policies in targeted countries, with a near-term focus on Brazil, India, China, and Indonesia to ultimately reduce/sequester greenhouse gas emissions through Natural Climate Solutions.
• Applies a diversified knowledge of global and domestic levers to build options for countries to implement their Nationally Determined Contributions, improve other relevant policies, and attract finance through voluntary and jurisdictional REDD+ programs such as LEAF or ART, etc.
• Brings TNC tools and resources, including scientific data and platforms, to bear in informing policy design and implementation.
• Supports country teams to understand and apply international policy rules within their domestic policy frameworks and to access and take advantage of international financial mechanisms/opportunities.
• Develops guidance, tools, and training resources for country programs to utilize to address common policy questions/challenges across countries (e,g. national regulations on carbon markets; corresponding adjustments; nesting; subsidy reform tactics, etc)
• Undertakes targeted policy analyses, as needed, together with in-country experts.
• Serves as a thought partner for targeted country programs to analyze opportunities and challenges and design policy strategies.
• May design and oversee consultant work.
• Support program objectives by working in a complex matrix organization environment and works collaboratively within a cross-functional interdisciplinary team.
• Develops relationships and works effectively with corporate, government, community, and non-governmental organization partners.
• Acts independently within broad program goals.
• Participates in negotiations for complex, high profile or sensitive agreements.

WHAT YOU’LL BRING

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, management or other relevant field and 5 years of government relations or corporate sector experience, or equivalent combination education/experience.
• Fluency in English
• Analytical and project management experience. Demonstrated experience in successfully develop and implement complex projects in an unstructured environment.
• Experience developing, directing and managing multiple projects in different countries and implementing strategic program goals.
• Proven communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule in order engage effectively with country teams in different geographical areas.

To apply for job ID 53119, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/.

At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of togetherness. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice – a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature.

Scope: The Environmental Law Program is at the cutting edge of climate change litigation. We work with our allies to reduce the environmental and public health degradation that flows from the lifecycle of fossil fuel use, ranging from destructive mining and fracking to combustion to disposal. At the same time, we advocate for the expansion of energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. In the past few years alone, we have achieved tremendous public health and climate change benefits for many communities, including for those engaged in environmental justice struggles in particular.

Legal Interns/externs work on all aspects of litigation, including undertaking legal research, preparing written memoranda, and conducting factual investigation. Depending on the cases to which our interns/externs are assigned, students may also draft notice letters, briefs and other pleadings, attend court appearances, and work on discovery. During the course of the program, students typically work with several of the Club’s attorneys, thus gaining exposure to a wide range of litigation styles. Our interns/externs are encouraged to participate during weekly legal team meetings where we discuss our dockets and strategy.

Job activities include but are not limited to:

Conducting legal research and factual investigation.
Preparing written memoranda and drafting other legal documents.
Researching prospects for new litigation, including factual and legal claims.
Assisting in the review of legal documents, instruments or other material.
Attend court appearances (depending on cases assigned)
Work on discovery (depending on cases assigned)

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

Required: Current Tulane University J.D. candidate.
Exceptional writing, research, and analytical skills.
Exceptional interpersonal skills.
Excellent organizational skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
Equity Analysis and Practice. You are aware of your group identities and how they have shaped your life and experiences at work. You have an analysis of how racism and other forms of oppression in society impact relationships, systems and culture. You bring experience and skills for working effectively with colleagues across group identities and position/role.

The strongest candidates will also demonstrate the following skills, experience and competencies:

Environmental law background preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $18/hour, non-negotiable.