Job Tag: Law/Policy

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) is a national nonprofit service organization that works with current and former federal, state, local, and tribal professionals who uphold environmental laws and values, including protection of public health. We work with public servants– including scientists, attorneys, land managers, rangers, and other specialists–in several ways to shine the light on improper or illegal government actions. Our work includes challenging improper and prohibited personnel actions against public employees, defending whistleblowers, working to improve environmental and civil service laws through affirmative litigation and advocacy, seeking information through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and litigation, and supporting the work of other nonprofit organizations.
Position Description

Provide legal counseling and representation to public employees in federal and state court and administrative proceedings; initiate administrative and/or federal litigation related to issues identified by public employees, and help orchestrate campaigns for environmental, public lands, and public health reforms. Staff counsel will report to PEER’s General Counsel.

Qualifications

All candidates must have a J.D. from an accredited law school and active membership in good standing in the District of Columbia Bar, or membership in good standing in another state bar with the ability to become admitted in D.C.

Candidate must also possess: Excellent oral and written advocacy skills are required; ability to work well both independently and on a team; ability to work in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple concurrent assignments, and meet deadlines; ability to develop and maintain relationships with clients and partner organizations, including initiating new relationships and developing and managing coalitions; commitment to workplace inclusion; and ability to contribute affirmatively to a just and equitable workplace culture.

The ideal candidates will have at least six years of legal experience with three or more of the following:

Civil litigation or administrative litigation experience, including the development of potential claims, drafting pleadings (such as complaints, briefs, substantive motions), managing all aspects of affirmative and defensive discovery, building factual records, and preparing for and/or participating in federal court and/or federal administrative hearings and arguments. Preference for civil litigation experience in federal court and/or administrative litigation experience.
Investigations conducted by a federal agency-specific Inspector General (e.g. EPA, DOI), the Office of Special Counsel, and/or cases over which the Merit Systems Protection Board has jurisdiction.
Familiarity with legal doctrines applicable to regulatory development and implementation, including statutorily required rulemaking obligations for federal and/or state governments. Experience with the federal Administrative Procedure Act is a plus but not required.
Familiarity with the federal regulatory process, either via litigation, notice-and-comment rulemaking, or other administrative processes. Prior federal employment a plus.
Deep engagement with federal regulatory agencies that address issues related to the environment, public lands, and/or public health such as EPA, DOI, and NOAA.
Writing and advocacy focused on environmental, labor, or governance issues.
Ability to learn and become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, and analytical approaches to address them.

Start Date

Immediately, but willing to negotiate based on individual circumstances.
Salary and Benefits

$90,000 to $110,000 with a generous leave package, flextime, and benefits. Full-time remote work is possible.

Job Summary

The Energy & Environment Program Coordinator oversees, develops, and implements environmental or energy-related programs for the State of Arkansas. This position is responsible for planning and directing resources to ensure the regulated community is in compliance with energy or environmental laws. This position is responsible for advancing programmatic goals that align with the department’s mission, coordinating regulatory or voluntary initiatives, supporting grant administration, and collaborating with stakeholders to ensure effective delivery of programs.
Primary Responsibilities

Manage statewide energy or environment programs. Serve as liaison between the state agency and stakeholders, including governmental bodies, the regulated community, and the public. Monitor and evaluate program performance, ensuring compliance with state rules and federal regulations and reporting requirements. Coordinate and manage grant applications, distribution of funds, and compliance tracking. Research, analyze, and interpret environmental data or energy trends to inform policy recommendations. Prepare technical reports, guidance documents, presentations, and educational materials for diverse audiences. Facilitate public meetings, stakeholder forums, and educational workshops. Promote equitable access to state energy or environmental regulatory resources through outreach and community engagement. Support the development of strategies to mitigate energy or environmental impacts. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support cross-agency initiatives. Provide general supervision of professional and administrative support staff by interviewing and recommending for hire, assigning and reviewing work, training new employees, and evaluating employee performance. Performance of other duties as assigned.
Knowledge and Skills

Ability to work independently, set programmatic goals, and manage multiple priorities. Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to convey complex information clearly to non-technical audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with stakeholders across sectors.
Knowledge of state and federal environmental regulations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and environmental data tools.
Adaptability: Comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and adapting to shifting priorities or regulatory landscapes.
Commitment to transparency, public service, and environmentally responsible practices.
Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, conservation biology, natural resources management, or a related field. At least 2 years of experience in environmental or energy program coordination, with a focus on managing or supporting government projects.

The School of Public Policy and Urban Affairs in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities seeks applicants to teach graduate courses in International Environmental Policy at its Arlington, Virginia (National Capital/Washington, DC area) campus. Part-time instructors are needed to teach graduate-level courses in international environmental governance, climate policy, global environmental negotiations, and sustainable development policy.

Instructors will support our NASPAA-accredited Master of Public Administration and Master of Public Policy programs and serve Spanish university exchange students through our CUNEF partnership program. These courses help the Master of Public Policy, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science in Urban Informatics, Master of Science in Applied Quantitative Methods for Social Analysis, and Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice programs.

Teaching will be in a traditional classroom on our Arlington, Virginia campus, with the potential to teach additional classes online for learners throughout our Global Campus Network.

Positions are available throughout the year contingent upon enrollment, funding, and programmatic needs.

Qualifications:

Ph.D. degree in Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, International Relations, Public Policy, or related disciplines is preferred. Advanced (masters) degree with relevant professional experience in international environmental organizations, climate policy, or global environmental governance may be considered.

College-level teaching experience is preferred.

The Thornburg Foundation is seeking applications from qualified candidates to lead the Water Initiative, which focuses on the advancement of policy reforms, planning efforts, research and data, and other work to modernize and transform water management in New Mexico. The Initiative is driven by collaborative approaches and informed by community needs. Partnerships with Tribal and Hispanic communities will be particularly important for this work.

The position will be chiefly responsible for managing a multi-year grantmaking portfolio consistent with the organization’s strategic plan.

Candidates must demonstrate:

Commitment to, experience in, and enthusiasm for advancing policy to reform and modernize water management approaches in New Mexico; required.

Experience working in a bi-partisan way, building coalitions, and engaging diverse stakeholders and tribal communities; required.

Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as organizational and interpersonal skills; required.

Must operate with an entrepreneurial mindset, be self-directed, and highly collegial; required.

5+ years of executive, legislative, campaign, or related political or advocacy experience from within government, the non-profit sector, philanthropy, or other related industry; required.

Undergraduate degree in conservation ecology, environmental science, public policy, social sciences, business, or related field; required. Master’s or Juris Doctor degree; preferred.

Strong project management skills to assure grants are developed, submitted, monitored and reviewed on a timely basis; required.

Understanding of the New Mexico political landscape; strongly preferred.

Experience building issue-advocacy strategies to advance long–term policy objectives; preferred.

Willingness to learn and ability to be flexible with changing priorities and responsibilities; preferred

Essential Duties:

Refine and lead a comprehensive strategy designed to advance modernize water management and build climate resilient water systems in New Mexico.

Work closely with prospective and current grantees to develop new grant applications, support grant implementation, and ensure grant reporting.

Make quarterly presentations to the Foundation’s Board of Directors on the progress of the initiative and grant recommendations.

Coordinate and collaborate with partners and stakeholders to advance a strong research and policy agenda.

Work in a bi-partisan way to build coalitions and engage diverse stakeholders in any strategy, such as national and local business organizations, community and elected officials, tribal entities, legal experts, nonprofit organizations, foundations and community–based organizations.

Consult with national, regional and state funders and funding collaboratives to coordinate, strengthen, and leverage the Initiative.

Report to the President regularly to support their communications with the Thornburg Foundation executive committee.

Ensure Water Initiative alignment and coordination with the Foundation’s other strategic initiatives, especially the Land & Agriculture and Pursuing Public Funding Initiatives.

Work with the highest integrity and in full compliance with applicable rules, regulations and standards.

Requirements:

Occasional travel in-state as well as national travel.

Applicant must pass a background check.

Compensation & Benefits: Competitive salary; health care benefits; paid time off; sick leave; professional development funding, and 401(k) plan with generous employer contribution.

Location: This position is based at the Thornburg Foundation office in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The position allows for hybrid work. Staff schedule requires 3 days per week in the office. The Foundation does not offer remote work options.

Earthjustice seeks a full-time, in-person Senior Litigation Assistant for our Community Partnerships Program in Los Angeles, CA.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; preserve magnificent places and wildlife; advance clean energy; and combat climate change. We partner with thousands of individuals and communities to engage in the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Earthjustice’s Community Partnerships Program (“CPP”) works hand-in-hand with frontline communities fighting for a safe, just, and healthy environment. We provide community-led movements with legal and advocacy resources to help challenge polluters and ensure access to environmental benefits — no matter how long the fight. CPP acts collectively with our community partners to transform social and political structures that stand in the way of equal access to a healthy environment. We take on the status quo by fighting to close dangerous regulatory loopholes; open access to information and records; increase transparency in environmental decision-making and polluting operations; and enforce federal, state, and local laws meant to protect communities from environmental harms.

CPP is seeking a Senior Litigation Assistant to provide litigation and administrative support for the team’s litigation and advocacy activities. The Senior Litigation Assistant will: provide litigation services, including legal advocacy assistance, factual research, and drafting; assist in case development and management; and help ensure the overall effectiveness of litigation support in CPP. The Senior Litigation Assistant will report to the Legal Practice Manager.

This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week), hybrid role. This role requires in-person attendance at our Los Angeles office and is not a remote work position.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
2+ years of experience in a legal assistant position in a litigation setting, as demonstrated by strong grasp of legal citation conventions; strong proofreading skills; proficiency with Westlaw or Lexis.
Proficient in software and other technology used to support litigation work such as Microsoft Office Applications, file management, Adobe PDF, and PACER/ECF. Experience with eDiscovery platforms a plus.
Excellent research, analytical, and writing skills.
Familiarity with CEQA a plus.
Able to perform work with high level of autonomy and minimal supervision.
Ability to define and organize priorities among multiple assignments, meet deadlines, and effectively collaborate under pressure.
Work effectively with remote staff and maintain confidential information.
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage complex information.
Flexible, punctual, highly reliable, and available for occasional evening and weekend work.
Ability to work for extended periods on the computer as needed to meet filing deadlines.
Understanding that CPP’s work may range from intellectually challenging to more mundane administrative work.
Awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
High level of emotional intelligence including self-motivation, self-awareness, empathy, ability to give and receive feedback, and outstanding interpersonal skills.
Familiarity with environmental and social justice issues preferred.
Passion for Earthjustice’s mission.

Bullrock Energy Ventures is a dynamic, well-established solar developer headquartered in Vermont. We are dedicated to building and operating clean energy projects that support the transition to a more sustainable future. With an entrepreneurial culture and a multistate project pipeline, we are a small but busy team making a big impact in renewable energy.

The Role

We are seeking a highly capable Paralegal to join our team and support the legal and transactional needs of our solar project portfolio. This position is ideal for someone with strong commercial experience—whether in solar, renewable energy, or commercial real estate—and a keen interest in project development, finance, and operations.

As our Paralegal, you will work closely with company leadership and outside counsel on matters ranging from project acquisition diligence to tax equity closings and operational contracts. You will play a critical role in keeping projects organized, documented, on time and on track.

Key Responsibilities

Draft, review, track, and manage project-related contracts, records, and closing checklists
Support diligence and closings for acquisitions, financings, and tax equity investments
Assist with land rights, contracts, utility agreements, and project operations·
Coordinate with colleagues, outside counsel, lenders, investors, and counterparties
Maintain document management systems to ensure organized, complete project files

Qualifications

3+ years of experience as a paralegal in commercial real estate, renewable energy, or project finance (solar experience preferred)
Strong drafting, organizational, and document management skills
Familiarity with transactional closings, diligence processes, and financing agreements
Ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines with accuracy and speed
Team-oriented with excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently

Why Join Us

Competitive compensation and benefits package, 401(k), Health Insurance, Incentive Compensation and vacation/holiday paid time off
Collaborative and entrepreneurial work environment
Opportunity to gain exposure to all phases of solar project development and finance
Based in South Burlington, Vermont—a great place to live and work—with flexibility for remote work for highly qualified candidates

How to Apply

Please send your resume, cover letter, including a description of your relevant, hands-on experience, to **@**********rp.com. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. 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: Working in concert with all stakeholders in New Jersey and with representatives of the relevant national entities, ensures the New Jersey 100% Clean Energy strategy is planned and executed successfully in alignment with other organizational strategic priorities. Manages the coordination, prioritization, and integration of all energy work in New Jersey. Works with Chapter and Program staff and volunteers to support the successful development and implementation of state based plans and related fundraising. This role is designed to provide additional strategic capacity and leverage for the campaigns, capacities and the Chapter in moving forward collaboration and coordination in the state regarding all clean energy, resource adequacy, and building and transportation electrification work, including planning, implementation and evaluation.
Job activities include but are not limited to:

Legislative Strategy. Works with Chapter Director to develop strategic, programmatic, equity, movement building, and financial goals and objectives. Implements strategic campaigns to move New Jersey to 100% clean energy, working in collaboration with the New Jersey Chapter and Program staff, as well as volunteer leadership, partner organizations, and the public.
Legislative Lobbying. Lobbies and advocates before state and local NJ government to advance Sierra Club’s energy policies, and develops and maintains relationships with policymakers in New Jersey.
Building Coalitions. Represents Sierra Club at state coalitions working group meetings on design of new clean energy policies, along with other staff.
Internal Planning and Coordination. Coordinates integrated planning and implementation between Sierra Club entities, including the New Jersey Chapter and the Beyond Coal, Beyond Dirty Fuels, Building Electrification, and Clean Transportation For All. Ensures internal communication between Sierra Club entities working on energy-related efforts in New Jersey.
Optimizing Structure and Process. Works with Chapter and Program staff to identify and implement structural and procedural changes needed to achieve clean energy in New Jersey.
Fundraising. Collaborates with Chapter and Program staff to fundraise in support of clean energy-related initiatives in New Jersey.
External Promotion. Provides professional expertise to and supports staff, volunteers, partners, and businesses in priority implementation areas to promote clean energy policy development.
Movement Capacity Building. Supports Sierra Club staff and volunteers engaging in and cultivating a justice-centered environmental movement that advances the organization’s respective clean energy campaign priorities, builds volunteer capacity & power, and strengthens communities.

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

Experience. At least 5 years’ experience working at a state, regional, or national level with the following skills
Issue Knowledge. Strong knowledge of energy issues, including power sector regulation, renewable energy and energy efficiency policy, and clean and equitable transportation policy.
Legislative Knowledge. Strong knowledge of New Jersey’s energy legislative and policy landscapes with demonstrated track record of sustained elected official relationships.

The salary range for this position is $90,000 – $95,000 annually.

NRDC is seeking a Forest Protection Advocate with policy, legal, and /or scientific expertise to advance NRDC’s forest priorities. The advocate’s time will focus on issues including: combatting the forest biomass industry’s attempts to expand operations to the West coast (presently, California and Washington); developing NRDC’s work on wildfire policy; preventing subsidies and other incentives for the forest biomass industry at the federal level; and supporting litigation to protect Northern forests.

The Forest Protection Advocate will work with the Nature team in our Chicago, San Francisco, Santa Monica, New York or Washington, DC offices. San Francisco or Santa Monica offices preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement high-impact advocacy strategies and tactics that advance NRDC’s forest work with policymakers at the state and federal levels.
Work with NRDC attorneys to support legal challenges related to NRDC’s forest work.
Build and maintain strong, diverse coalitions comprised of NGOs and community groups.
Analyze and translate and/or conduct scientific research in furtherance of forest protection, including on biomass energy and wildfire.
Develop reports and policy research supporting forest conservation, including ones highlighting the many problems inherent with biomass energy.
Enhance NRDC’s engagement with communities negatively affected by biomass energy production by organizing in and supporting such frontline communities.
Liase with communications team and engage with reporters to deliver high-impact stories supporting NRDC’s forest work and galvanize opposition.
Engage with NRDC funders, members, and activists to help increase their understanding of and commitment to our forest conservation campaigns.
Contribute to NRDC’s long-range planning for future forest advocacy campaigns.

Qualifications

Commitment to NRDC’s mission and values.
Bachelors Degree in relevant field
4 + years of relevant experience
Advanced degree in law or science preferred.
Experience in policy advocacy at the federal and state levels.
Experience leading campaigns and achieving campaign goals and objectives.
Demonstrated ability to analyze, understand, and clearly translate technical, scientific, and other expert materials for a variety of advocacy audiences.
Community organizing experience, including in environmental justice communities.
Strong strategic skills relevant to policy, advocacy, and project development.
Strong writing skills and experience drafting a range of advocacy materials, including reports, blogs, and fact sheets.
Strong verbal communication skills, including experience with public speaking and oral advocacy with decisionmakers.
Strong skills building and working with broad coalitions that reach beyond the traditional environmental community.

For this position, the salary range is $113,000 to $121,000.

The Wyoming Wilderness Association (WWA) is a non-profit organization, led by a state-wide Governing Council, that is dedicated to the implementation of strategic campaigns to protect public wildlands in Wyoming through stewardship, advocacy and education.

Position summary

WWA is seeking a full-time Executive Director (ED), an individual with a vision to lead WWA through this consequential time in the history of conservation. They will develop and execute a strategic plan that is concise, transparent, and effective to carry out the organization’s mission to protect Wyoming’s wild, public lands from future development and to advocate for the designation of more Wilderness areas in Wyoming. The ED oversees a statewide staff and will be the main policy director of the organization: identifying and monitoring proposed plans and policies (administrative and legislative) that threaten and/or protect Wyoming’s public wildlands and advise if action is required.

Requirements

Passion for the protection and preservation of Wyoming’s wild, roadless public lands.
Thorough understanding of the issues and policy surrounding the conservation of public wildlands within Wyoming’s political climate.
Familiarity with Wyoming’s wildlands.
Come with a vision for how WWA can best promote its mission under the upcoming new administration.

Desired

Hold a master’s degree relevant to environment and natural resources or have commensurate experience.
Experience balancing a budget.
Experience working in a non-profit.
Experience with donor relations and fundraising.
Experience hiring and managing staff.
Experience working with state and federal agencies and Tribal leaders.

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) seeks its next Washington State Director to lead the Washington Business Unit (BU) and serve as a partner with colleagues in TNC’s Western US and Canada Division as we execute on our ambitious conservation goals.

With 80+ staff across the state, an operating budget of approximately $18M, a 20-member volunteer board, and a strong conservation agenda in place, this role offers a unique opportunity to help shape a resilient future for Washington, the Pacific Northwest, western North America, and the globe.

The Washington State Director functions as the visionary leader, senior manager, and principal ambassador for a large, highly complex BU. The current strategic priorities the Washington State Director will lead include 1) climate mitigation and adaptation, 3) community and ecological stewardship, 4) healthy and resilient forests and rivers and 5) healthy waters for people and salmon. They are accountable for the BU’s success in implementing TNC’s conservation approach, producing measurable conservation results and maintaining organizational values. They ensure outcomes are achieved in priority areas that fall within the BU’s responsibilities, and contribute intellectual, financial, and/or human resources to the formulation and execution of priority cross-boundary efforts. They support the alignment of activities by securing, coordinating, and configuring resources, capacity, and programs to address the most critical organization-wide projects, threats and strategies. They are responsible for collaborating with others on the procurement and application of resources to address the conservation priorities established by TNC, both in their ecoregions or BU and in areas beyond their span of authority. They serve as the primary local spokesperson for TNC to internal and external audiences (including staff, volunteers, the Board of Trustees, public and private donors, government agencies and officials, community leaders and other partners) and cultivate those audiences to support and promote TNC’s mission and vision.

The Washington State Director oversees the leaders of policy/government relations, fundraising, and finance for the BU and partners with Division-wide leaders of marketing/communications, finance, conservation, and HR. Leadership may include approving budgets, setting priorities which dictate private and public fundraising goals, supporting philanthropy, resources and external affairs staff in the cultivation and direct solicitation of donors (private, bilateral and multilateral government) to meet fundraising goals. They are responsible for a significant portion of the BU’s direct fundraising, principally in the major market of Seattle.

In addition to their responsibilities leading and managing the Washington BU, the Washington State Director serves on the Leadership Team for the Western US & Canada Division. The Division’s current priorities include cross-boundary, system-scale initiatives in Indigenous-led Conservation, major river restoration, forest, grassland and sagebrush steppe health, climate and renewable energy, and federal policy and public lands. As leader of a large BU in a major market, the Washington State Director will lead fundraising efforts and deploy staff to support these Division-level initiatives. The Washington State Director plays a leadership role in local-to-global fundraising for The Nature Conservancy.

The Washington State Director reports to the Western US and Canada Division Director and works closely with the local Trustees.

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree and minimum of 7 years of management experience or equivalent relevant combination.

Leading and managing a large multi-disciplinary team with the strong ability to motivate, lead, set objectives and manage performance.

Knowledge of and direct experience working and operating in Washington state.

Experience in natural resources and/or the environment more broadly.

Strategic planning and systems thinking for large, complex initiatives.

Financial experience managing a multi-million-dollar budget.

Experience communicating with and presenting to different types of audiences, including donors, board members, employees, and outside partners.

Experience working with Indigenous tribes and sovereign nations.

Fluency in English; excellent written and oral communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

7-10 years’ experience as a proven leader in the conservation arena, non-profit sector, advocacy, or related for-profit area, including demonstrated experience producing results and meeting program/department goals.

General knowledge of the natural resources of Washington and the Western US, their conservation challenges, and current management approaches.

Experience in fundraising and commitment to increase program fundraising success in support of the Conservancy’s global, regional, and local priorities, especially by identifying innovative forms of fundraising, cultivating major donors, and forging relationships and results in the Washington market.

Experience building partnerships or multi-lateral agreements across business and/or government.

Experience creating and fostering an environment that allows staff to feel empowered and creating a culture of trust, fairness, and development.

Experience cultivating strong interpersonal engagement and relationships in a global, multicultural context and developing relationships to drive organizational outcomes.

Proven skills in board development and recruitment for fundraising and influencing results.

Exposure to policy influence and development.

Navigating and leading within a global, matrixed organization.

Knowledge of the tech industry, such as key organizations and navigating contacts within them.

Politically savvy.