Job Tag: Law/Policy

Legal Counsel

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat.

JOB SUMMARY

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Legal Counsel for American Rivers, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and its affiliated 501(c)(4) organization, and a potential third tax-exempt or advocacy affiliate.

Candidates must have demonstrated experience advising and supporting 501(c)(4) organizations, including knowledge of permissible advocacy, lobbying activities, and the interplay between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) entity compliance and governance.

As a critical member of the legal team, this in-house attorney will be responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with all relevant laws and regulations, providing legal advice to management, and protecting the organization’s interests in various business matters. This role involves creating and managing preemptive risk tools and policies, and advising and supporting the organization in legal disputes and negotiations. In collaboration with the General Counsel, the Legal Counsel shall proactively address the unique legal and governance challenges inherent in a multi-affiliate structure, ensuring each entity operates within the scope of its exempt purpose, while leveraging permissible collaboration to advance shared mission goals.

This role requires a proactive approach to risk management, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle a broad range of legal matters relevant to the organization’s operations.

The successful candidate will have a collaborative mindset, excellent communication skills, and the proven ability to work across departments and with external partners.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Juris Doctor (JD) licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
5+ years of experience as a practicing attorney, preferably with a law firm, the government, or with the nonprofit or public sector with respect to organizations described in Sections 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and 527 of the Internal Revenue Code
Proven impact working with a 501(c)(3) and 501 (c)(4) tax-exempt organization is essential
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex legal concepts to non-lawyers
High ethical standards, sound judgment, and strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with management and other departments
Ability to troubleshoot and solve problems independently and able to manage multiple projects and priorities
Experience working with or supporting a General Counsel’s office or legal department is highly valued
Knowledge of federal regulatory compliance (OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance and Federal Election Commission regulations) and/or construction law is preferred
Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools and Slack. Knowledge of Intacct and project management software is a plus

Candidates who are unsure if they meet all minimum qualifications or who have transferable skills and experience beyond the conservation sector are encouraged to apply.

LOCATION Preferred location is near the Washington, DC headquarters, but will consider applicants from states in which American Rivers currently conducts business. Other occasional regional and national travel to meetings and training may be required.

The salary range for this position is $120,063 -$146,696, annually, depending on experience and qualifications.

Senior Policy Advisor, U.S. Climate Alliance

The U.S. Climate Alliance is a bipartisan coalition of governors securing America’s net-zero future with state-led, high-impact climate action. The Alliance Secretariat helps its member states and territories accelerate climate action by providing a broad range of technical, analytical, policy, and capacity assistance and resources. It also coordinates engagement with local, federal, and international partners to drive durable and impactful solutions across government. For more on the Alliance, visit www.us climate alliance.org.

The U.S. Climate Alliance seeks a Senior Policy Advisor to support governors’ offices in the advancement of policy solutions in the electricity sector. This position serves as primary advisor to Alliance members on relevant state and federal policy matters; manages day-to-day efforts of the Electricity Policy Working Group and relevant cohorts, including on nuclear and geothermal energy; leads activities of the State Modern Grid Deployment Initiative; provides guidance to states in the development and implementation of relevant state-level policies and programs; maintains relationships with sectoral national partners in the nonprofit and advocacy communities; tracks sector-based policy actions at the state and federal levels and regularly updates members; advises on and supports sector-based technical assistance projects; and collaborates with the Alliance’s federal affairs team to facilitate state engagement on key federal rules and actions. They may also be expected to advise on additional policy sectors as assigned.

The Senior Policy Advisor reports to the Policy Director and works as part of a broader team that includes Alliance states, consultants, and external partners.

The position is based in Washington, D.C., with consideration for remote work in the contiguous United States (hybrid schedule).

Selection Criteria

Bachelor’s degree with substantial work experience in climate, energy and/or environment policy. Preference may be given to candidates with a master’s degree
7-10 years of professional experience in related policy areas. Extensive experience working with governments required; direct experience working in, with, or around state-level government strongly preferred.
Commitment to advancing policy solutions in the U.S. that address climate change, reduce pollution, and increase resilience to climate impacts
Demonstrated aptitude for conducting research and analysis, developing presentations and briefing memos, and presenting to senior leaders
Exceptional verbal, written, and in-person communication skills
Critical thinker that can generate products tailored to different audiences without requiring frequent direction
Demonstrated ability to coordinate multi-stakeholder processes to build consensus, maintain trust, and support the achievement of shared goals and priorities. Past experience with multistate, national, or international coalitions strongly preferred
Adaptability to changing circumstances and eagerness to learn new policy areas
Familiarity with relevant U.S. climate-related datasets and tools
Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite with demonstrated skill for using and displaying complex datasets in Microsoft Excel and/or other tools
Ability to work as part of a small team and prioritize multiple competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
Self-motivated with strong ability to find solutions in the face of challenges
Maximum flexibility in accepting and professionally executing a range of tasks
Ability to diplomatically engage diverse counterparts and use personal discretion in working with sensitive information
Ability to manage competing priorities.

Salary: The salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000.

Climate & Energy Staff Attorney

Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) is seeking a full-time attorney to join our team working to protect New England’s environment for all people. The Attorney will work with CLF’s Climate & Energy program and will be based in CLF’s Portland, Maine office. Their work will focus on legal and policy issues in Maine, with the opportunity for some remote and flexible work within New England. We are seeking a Staff Attorney II level, with at least 5 years of relevant experience.

What you’ll do

The Attorney will be a key player in helping us achieve our mission. The Attorney will work independently and as part of state-based and regional teams and coalitions advocating for a just and clean energy future. In this role, the Attorney will both lead and support high-impact, cutting-edge advocacy efforts in the energy, transportation and buildings sectors as part of an over-arching strategy to tackle the climate crisis while centering environmental justice.

The Staff Attorney will:

Devise and execute legal strategies for achieving CLF’s advocacy goals, including through litigation;
Develop relationships, build coalitions, and work collaboratively with community and advocacy groups, public officials, and business interests;
Build and sustain alliances and coalitions among impacted and allied entities;
Represent CLF in regulatory and administrative proceedings;
Draft public comment letters on projects, policies, and plans;
Advocate for priority bills before the Maine State Legislature, including oral and written testimony;
Advocate before Maine’s Public Utility Commission and engage with the regional independent electric system operator, ISO-NE;
Engage in development efforts to support the work of the Climate and Energy program and the Maine office, including donor and foundation stewardship efforts and funding proposals, grant reporting and board engagement;
Engage in public outreach efforts on climate, and energy-related advocacy initiatives;
Contribute to CLF’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
Write public educational materials, articles, and opinion pieces and communicate about advocacy work through media outlets and social media; and
Contribute to the health of our community and the smooth operation of our organization.

What you’ll need

We are looking for a motivated and mature self-starter who can work independently and as a productive member of a talented and diverse group of advocates dedicated to CLF’s mission and distributed across New England.

To be successful in this role, you’ll need:

At least 5 years of experience practicing law, preferably in the areas of environmental and/or energy law and preferably in Maine;
An active license and good standing in Maine, or an active license and good standing in another state and willingness to become licensed in Maine;
Demonstrated experience working with state and federal environmental, energy, and climate laws and a strong grasp of political systems and regulatory proceedings;
Significant litigation experience in state and federal courts, before regulatory agencies or public utility commissions, or comparable experience;
Strong analytic abilities, oral and written communication skills, and a commitment to environmental justice advocacy;
Strong commitment to CLF’s mission, including its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion;
Coalition and network building skills, including cultural competence and ability to communicate and collaborate within diverse and multicultural communities; and
A capacity to develop and/or enhance expertise in relevant technical or policy areas.

Staff Counsel

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) is a national nonprofit 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.
Key Responsibilities

Working at the confluence of law, policy, and media, PEER staff counsel will:

Represent clients in all aspects of administrative and federal court litigation, mediation, and settlement.
Respond to employee requests for assistance and determine the legal services or other support that PEER may provide based on the nature of the request.
Develop and implement legal, communications, and other strategies to remedy employee-identified problems including, but not limited to, analyzing legal claims and defenses, drafting FOIA and other information requests, and drafting formal and informal requests for federal or state investigation of improper, unethical and/or illegal activity.
Research and draft filings for administrative proceedings and federal and state litigation, legal memoranda, agency comments, FOIA requests, letters, and other types of advocacy materials.

Conduct legal and policy research and assist in executing environmental, public lands, and public health campaigns.

Monitor relevant policy issues to identify instances where PEER should consider getting involved in litigation or in regulatory advocacy.
Serve as a media spokesperson on related legal and policy matters.
Leverage relationships within the legal community to support PEER’s work, to help carry out our mission, and to strengthen our continued organizational growth and sphere of influence, including fostering opportunities for PEER staff to build deeper professional relationships.
Coordinate with teams across the organization in the development of strategic narratives and other media to help educate the philanthropic community, legal community, and progressive communities on pressing issues.

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; 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 three or more years of experience in 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.

Salary Range

$95,000 to $115,000 with a generous leave package, flextime, and benefits. Full-time remote work is possible.

Senior Policy Advisor, Freshwater

The Senior Policy Advisor, Freshwater leads and implements The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) federal freshwater policy strategies in service of TNC’s 2030 goals. They work primarily with U.S. federal agencies, Congress, and partners to develop, modify and advance strategies to shape water policy in the United States.

The successful candidate must reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Reporting to the US Federal Water Policy Team Lead on the North America Policy and Government Relations team, the Senior Policy Advisor, Freshwater furthers the work of The Nature Conservancy and its conservation partners through direct interaction with U.S. government agencies and Congress focusing on policy, practice, and funding initiatives that provide conservation opportunities and/or impact conservation and restoration of freshwater throughout America. They serve as a leader for TNC in developing, analyzing and implementing freshwater policy at the federal level in the United States and as a conduit between TNC’s programs and state chapters to key leaders in federal agencies. They will serve as a relationship manager and policy contact for senior officials at the Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation and the US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water. They will serve as a leader and collaborator with other business units across TNC to develop and present clear and consistent messaging on freshwater priorities. They will possess a deep appreciation and respect for people and a desire to learn from others with varied perspectives and experiences.

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree in political science, environmental policy, business or related field and 6 years of senior management level experience in government relations, corporate sector, or equivalent experience.

Supervisory experience.

Fluency in English.

Direct experience working with government agencies and Congress or equivalent experience working on U.S. federal policy for a nongovernmental organization.

Experience analyzing agency regulations and policy proposals, legislation, drafting comments, and developing alternative policy solutions.

Experience in leading policy strategy development and implementation.

Experience working with partners.

Project management experience including coordinating the work of other professionals inside and outside an organization.

Experience with relationship building.

Experience negotiating complex high profile or sensitive agreements.

Proven written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Desired Qualifications:

Master’s degree appreciated.

Experience working in a federal agency or in a congressional office.

Experience presenting to and communicating with federal agency leadership, and members of Congress and their staff.

Excellent team player with experience working in multi-disciplinary groups, using influence and interpersonal skills, listening, diplomacy and tact to build strong relationships with governments, corporations, partners, donors, volunteers, and all levels of staff.

Experience conceiving and implementing strategic initiatives.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $129,000 – $149,000. The successful candidate must reside in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

Climate Policy Advisor

The Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee seeks a climate policy advisor. Candidates should have a deep background in carbon pricing, carbon tariffs, and other market-based climate policies. Comprehensive understanding of the European Union carbon border adjustment mechanism as well as other international carbon pricing policies is strongly desired. Candidates should have at least seven years of work experience; previous Hill or administration experience is a plus. Candidates should be strong writers, entrepreneurial, and excel at managing multiple projects simultaneously. The office does not discriminate on the basis of an individual’s race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, uniformed service, genetic information, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), or any other factors.

Federal Government Relations Advisor

Nature United is a national organization that is reimagining conservation across Canada. We believe that nature—thriving and full of life—is the foundation of strong communities, a prosperous economy, and a future worth passing on to our grandchildren. Nature United is an affiliate of the global organization The Nature Conservancy (TNC).

The Federal Government Relations Advisor supports Nature United’s conservation goals by leading project teams, designing and delivering project objectives, and serving as liaison and informational contact between Nature United and federal agencies, parliamentarians and political staff.

Reporting to the Director of Government Relations, and working in collaboration with Strategic Partnerships , Conservation, and Communications teams the Federal Government Relations Advisor furthers the work of Nature United and conservation partners through direct interaction with the federal government, Indigenous governments, multilateral agencies, and/or other external partners focusing on federal policy, programs, and funding initiatives that provide opportunities and/or impact toward natural climate solutions (NCS), sustainable management of lands and oceans, and Indigenous-led conservation. They will identify conservation-related public policy and funding opportunities, evaluate the potential for strategic partnerships, and develop and implement strategies to influence priorities, public policy and public funding for conservation at the national and/or global level. They will liaise with counterparts within Nature United, our global affiliate (The Nature Conservancy), and with external partners to provide and extract useful lessons and experience, to coordinate on joint policy/practice approaches, and to position Canada as a global conservation and natural climate solutions leader.

What You’ll Bring:

Bachelor’s degree and 4 years related experience or equivalent combination.

Fluency in English.

Understanding of Federal policy-making processes and Parliamentary system.

Experience presenting to and/or communicating with government or legislative staff and/or program leadership.

Experience in designing, implementing and directing multiple complex projects and ensuring program accountability.

Communications experience including preparing and presenting project proposals and developing written communications.

Experience working with corporate, NGO and Indigenous partners, and government agencies.

Desired Qualifications:

French skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.

Master’s degree appreciated

Familiarity with social, economic and political conditions and issues in Canada, including Indigenous rights and Indigenous-led conservation.

Experience coordinating projects in a decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.

Outstanding written and oral communication, negotiating and organizational skills.

Salary range in Canada is: $104,000 – $112,000 CAD annually

Director of Policy, Energy

The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a self-motivated and experienced individual for the role of Director of Policy, Energy. This role will join the energy programs team as an expert in power sector advocacy, supporting our work in coalition building, stakeholder education, and advocacy. This full-time position is responsible for supporting the organization’s energy policy agenda with an emphasis on the power sector and the deployment of renewable energy across Illinois. This role will be supervised by the Chief of Staff.

This position can be located in Springfield or Chicago, IL. The position is full-time and may include evening and weekend work, and occasional travel within Illinois.
About You

We’re looking for someone who is excited by the challenge of addressing the biggest issues facing Illinois. You should be a stellar communicator with excellent attention to detail who enjoys digging into legislative issues and working with broad coalitions of partners to build power and execute on legislative priorities.

We are a small, dynamic team that relies on each other to produce high-quality work.

We strongly encourage candidates from all different backgrounds and identities to apply. Each new hire is an opportunity for us to bring in a different perspective, and we are always eager to further diversify our organization. IEC/IECEF is committed to building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Qualifications

Strong knowledge of clean energy policy and programs, as well as the Illinois policy-making process.
Advocacy and/or political campaigns experience is a plus.
Passion for environmental advocacy, democracy, and environmental justice.
Excellent project management skills.
Excellent communication skills.
Strong time management skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups and people.
Commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship work.
Proficiency in using Zoom and both the Microsoft and Google software suites.
Highly organized.
Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and work independently.
Issue expertise in environmental and climate issues.
Strong writing skills — able to draft concise summaries, briefs, or reports.
Experience or interest in public interest work, advocacy, or lawmaking.

Salary: Salary range is $80,000 to $100,000, commensurate with experience.

Senior Manager, Policy and Programs

Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) is a regional nonprofit that works to accelerate energy efficiency, electrification, and grid-flexibility across Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states as a core strategy to reduce climate pollution and build an affordable, sustainable, just, and resilient energy future.

NEEP is based in Massachusetts, with staff in locations around the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. We are a remote-first organization, which allows our employees to work in any of NEEP’s 13 states/jurisdictions in the region. If you are someone who can inspire groups of people and organizations to work collaboratively towards a common goal, then please keep reading.

The Senior Manager, Policy and Programs is responsible for the day-to-day management of a portfolio of work in NEEP’s Policy and Programs department, including research, tools, and stakeholder engagement. The Senior Manager will manage NEEP’s role in convening the New England Heat Pump Accelerator, which is a major regional heat pump market transformation initiative. NEEP serves as the regional convener for this multi-year project. The Senior Manager will work in a fast-paced environment, oversee a project Advisory Council, uphold a governance process for the Council, establish and oversee regional engagement opportunities, draft program documents and other public facing resources, and coordinate stakeholders and market actors. In this role, the Senior Manager will provide direct oversight and support state implementation and the evaluation of the initiative. If you also have a deep interest in nonprofit work and the passion to champion mission-driven vision and values, we’d love to hear from you. You will thrive in NEEP’s collaborative and fast-paced work environment and will respect and uphold our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

A Day in the Life of This Role

In this role, you will work with a wide array of NEEP stakeholders, including state energy offices, utilities, energy efficiency program administrators, advocates, manufacturers, distributors, contractors, consultants, and nonprofit organizations across the region to facilitate policy and program implementation to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps. The Senior Manager will lead NEEP’s role as convener of the New England Heat Pump Accelerator and assist the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection in managing a coalition of stakeholders to achieve objectives.

This will include developing and maintaining excellent working relationships with regional partners, including the state agencies and program implementers involved with the New England Heat Pump Accelerator and serving as a resource on technical topics to allies, policymakers, and the media. The Senior Manager will oversee all meetings of the Accelerator including weekly project meetings, monthly Advisory Council meetings, and regional working groups. This position will also assess stakeholder needs and lead creation of policy resources to advance heat pump adoption in the region. The Senior Manager will be expected to respect and uphold NEEP’s core values. This position will report to the Director, Policy and Programs.

What NEEP is Looking for in a Candidate

7+ years of progressively senior experience in energy efficiency, project management, and stakeholder engagement and at least one year of manager-level experience
Advanced degree preferred but not required
Subject matter expertise in one or more of these areas: utility or statewide energy efficiency programs, utility and state energy planning, building decarbonization state level policies, heating and hot water electrification including cold-climate heat pumps, statewide energy efficiency workforce policy
Sound knowledge of the historical background of stakeholders and evolution of the industry
Ability to collect, organize, analyze, disseminate, and interpret relevant industry data to all levels of the organization
Up-to-date knowledge of industry standards and trends to apply to NEEP’s strategic decision making
Demonstrated ability to collaborate internally and externally
Ability to manage budgets and proposals for complex, multi-year grant proposals
Ability to communicate program area strategy and activities to a variety of audiences, including funders
Demonstrated project management skills; accountability for project deliverables and financial systems
Experience developing strategic program initiatives that advance NEEP’s regional mission
Ability to lead the hiring and development of staff; take responsibility for the performance of the team
Ability to support team members in their professional development

Salary Range: The salary for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience, offering a range of $90,000 to $100,000 annually.

Associate General Counsel

National Audubon Society is looking for an attorney to join a service-oriented Office of General Counsel (OGC). The Associate General Counsel will work closely with the General Counsel and the rest of the in-house legal team to provide high-level legal advice across the broad spectrum of practice areas routinely encountered by a complex, international mission-driven conservation organization. The Associate General Counsel (AGC) will support the General Counsel and the Audubon Legal Department, providing legal and management advice and counsel across the corporation.

This position is classified as hybrid, in accordance with Audubon’s “Where We Work” Policy. Hybrid employees are expected to work in an Audubon office every Monday and Tuesday and an additional two days each month of the employee’s choosing. Candidates should be located within commuting distance of Audubon’s New York, NY office.

Compensation: $106,000 – $119,000 / year

Qualifications and Experience:

Juris Doctorate degree and 3-5 years of experience. An equivalent combination of education and work experience will also be considered.

Experience drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, settlements, and other legal documents preferred.

Ability to work collaboratively within and across teams.

Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.

Demonstrated expertise in at least one area of preferred legal specialization. Multiple areas of expertise a plus.

High ethical standards and demonstrated work ethic.

Excellent listening, oral, and written skills.

Excellent research and analytical skills.

Excellent judgment.

Belief in Audubon’s mission a plus.

Commitment to Audubon’s organizational values of care, collaboration, change, integrity, impact, and innovation.

Experience fostering inclusive and collaborative work environments is valued.

Demonstrated personal and professional commitment to working with a diverse group of people.

Spanish or Portuguese competency not required but a plus.