Staff Attorney

Profile

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is hiring a Staff Attorney to work on our portfolio of uniquely positioned environmental law and policy projects addressing critical environment and sustainable development challenges domestically and internationally. We seek an entrepreneurial and talented attorney, with a passion for using law to solve environmental challenges. Examples of potential project assignments include: training Colombian judges on combatting illegal logging, working with communities on ocean and coastal governance, and developing legal tools to support climate change mitigation and adaptation in the U.S. and abroad.  The Staff Attorney carries out varied project and program assignments in collaboration with and under the direction of more senior research and policy staff including, but not limited to, legal and policy research and analysis, writing, outreach and public presentations, and support for program development.   

  

PRIMARY GOALS/OBJECTIVES  

ELI’s Research and Policy staff assembles interdisciplinary teams to work on a wide range of projects in areas such as climate change, governance, natural resource management, land conservation and smart growth, biodiversity loss and habitat destruction, ocean resource management, and air, water, and soil pollution. The Institute has a long-standing track record working at the federal, state, and local levels; we assist governmental officials responsible for implementing and enforcing environmental laws, and nongovernmental organizations that pursue environmental goals and provide accountability. ELI’s international programs are marked by engagement with in-country partners to develop and strengthen legal mechanisms to protect the environment, promote sustainable development, and manage conflict risks; develop and enhance institutions responsible for managing natural resources and the environment; build government, civil society, and private sector capacity; and conduct research on cutting-edge issues from environmental peacebuilding to migration with dignity to marine spatial planning, among others. For more information on ELI’s mission, visit https://www.eli.org/  

  

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES   

• Perform extensive legal and policy research and analysis and complete it in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner.  



• Develop written products on law and policy topics in a range of formats and for ELI’s many audiences.  



• Follow direction from senior staff in developing and carrying out projects and programs consistent with ELI’s mission and project parameters.   



• Periodic travel to domestic and international destinations as projects required.  



• Facilitate and coordinate meetings and communications with partners/stakeholders and represent the Institute publicly as needed to communicate and foster particular programs and projects.  



• Assist with project proposals and provide other development support to secure sufficient funding to carry out high-quality programs and projects.   



• On occasion, Staff Attorneys may be granted responsibility to direct ELI projects. As project managers, Staff Attorneys are responsible for performing, assigning and supervising delegated project tasks, and adhering to project budgets. Staff Attorney project managers will collaborate with senior staff to secure project funding.  



• Staff Attorneys may be required to have limited project-related supervisory roles with junior staff, including Research Associates and Interns.   

  

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES   

• Excellent skills in policy and legal research, analytical writing, and verbal communication to present findings related to research programs.  



• Broad knowledge of and experience in environmental, energy, or natural resource law and policy, or related field.  



• Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office   

Demonstrated ability to:    

• quickly become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them  



• produce high-quality work products within budget while adhering to deadlines  



• communicate effectively through writing for policy, academic, and public audiences; participating in meetings; and speaking publicly to a range of audiences  



• collaborate effectively with senior and junior staff, colleagues, and partner organizations  



• represent ELI publically in a manner consistent with our mission and values  



• establish priorities and effectively manage multiple tasks at the same time with moderate supervision  



• travel and work in challenging environments, domestically and internationally. Travel duration may range from one night to several weeks.   

  

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE   

• J.D. or equivalent degree with a strong academic record  



• 1-4 years post-law school experience in the environmental law and policy field  



• Specialized training and practical legal and policy experience in the environmental field is highly desirable.  



• Demonstrated proficiency or fluency in Spanish is required; proficiency in other languages, especially French, is also an asset.    

  

COMPENSATION  

$50,000 to $54,000 annual salary, commensurate with experience. Includes excellent benefits such as:      

• Health/Dental/Vision insurance    



• Flexible Spending Account    



• Employer paid life insurance & disability insurance    



• Long Term Care insurance    



• Pre-tax transportation benefit    



• Fitness Incentive    



• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account with employer match    



• Paid time off     

  

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE  

Submit an application package via ELI's online application system. Simply visit https://www.eli.org/employment to get started. Note that your submission must contain the following uploaded documents (Word or PDF format), as follows:     

• Cover letter, addressing your personal goals and interests, as well as your experience and interest in carrying out the duties outlined above.    



• Current CV or resume    



• List of 3 references  



• A legal writing sample of at least 10 pages   

Candidates passing the initial applicant screening process may be requested to provide additional writing samples. This position will begin in March 2020.  

Applications must be submitted no later than February 17, 2020. You must use ELI’s online application system; ELI cannot accept applications submitted by email, USPS or other shipping service, or hand delivery. No phone calls, please.    

  

ELI is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness. As such, minority candidates and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.  

Company info

Environmental Law Inst