[CLOSED] Staff Attorney

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an internationally recognized, independent research, publishing, and education center working to strengthen environmental protection by improving law and governance worldwide. The Institute brings together science and policy to deliver just and practical legal and policy solutions for environmental, economic, and social progress across the United States and around the world.

ELI’s staff aims to:

• Build the skills and capacity of tomorrow’s leaders and institutions
• Research and analyze complex and pressing environmental challenges
• Promote and disseminate the best thinking through print and electronic media
• Work with partners to develop and implement laws, policies, and other means to protect the environment and society
• Convene people with diverse perspectives to build understanding through robust dialogue

For more information on ELI’s programs, visit https://www.eli.org/programs.

ELI is seeking an experienced Staff Attorney to work on environmental law and policy projects addressing critical environmental challenges domestically and internationally. It is expected that this Staff Attorney would collaborate with project managers and other staff on our portfolio of uniquely positioned environmental law and policy projects addressing critical environment and sustainable development challenges domestically and internationally.  ELI has numerous focal areas, and this Staff Attorney would bring expertise in one or more of them, such as energy, climate, water, ocean, environmental justice, air, land use, or others.  The Staff Attorney would engage in nonpartisan research and maintain the highest standards for integrity while analyzing and proposing solutions for pressing environmental challenges.

JOB SUMMARY

ELI’s Research & Policy experts assemble interdisciplinary teams to improve environmental law and its implementation.  ELI staff work on today’s most challenging issues, including climate change; environmental justice; natural resource management; land conservation and smart growth; biodiversity loss and habitat destruction; and air, water, and soil pollution. A hallmark of the Institute’s work is its longstanding record of working closely with government agencies at all levels and with communities and non-governmental organizations to support achievement of their environmental, sustainability, and justice goals.

ELI attorneys, scientists, and policy analysts work together to develop and carry out projects that respond to the urgent environmental issues of today and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. This includes identifying how to use existing law to solve new problems, building the capacity of each sector to better undertake its role, and promoting effective public participation in environmental decision making. We collaborate to execute varied project and program tasks including, but not limited to, research, analysis, writing, outreach, and program development. Our attorneys are skilled researchers, widely published authors, well-respected experts in their areas of focus, inspiring and supportive colleagues, and dedicated to making a difference.

We are currently seeking a Staff Attorney who will work within the Research & Policy division. The division engages with government, nongovernmental, and private sector stakeholders to help them improve the legal and institutional frameworks governing sustainable development at the international, national, and subnational levels.  Current initiatives cover a wide range of topics, from capacity building for state water managers on the Clean Water Act’s total maximum daily load program, to educating judges about the latest climate science, to the sustainability of small-scale fisheries in Southern Africa, to tracking and disseminating recent movement at the state and federal levels relating to environmental justice.  These initiatives involve varying tasks, from in-depth research to convening small- and large-scale events. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Perform extensive legal and policy research and analysis in a professional, timely, and self-directed manner, in adherence to ELI’s mission and project budgets and timelines, under the direction of program directors.
• Develop written products on law and policy topics in a range of formats and communicate on areas of expertise to support partners or external communications for ELI’s many audiences.
• Staff Attorneys may have project-related managerial roles with junior staff, including other Attorneys, Research Associates, and Interns.
• Facilitate and coordinate meetings and communications with partners and other stakeholders and represent the Institute publicly as needed to communicate and foster particular programs and projects. 
• Assist program directors with program development and grant and contract proposals to secure funding that supports high-quality programs and projects, under the Direction of the Vice President of Research and Policy.  
• Periodic travel to domestic and international destinations as projects require.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. or equivalent degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of post-law school experience in the environmental law and policy field.
• Experience and expertise in one of ELI’s areas of interest.  
• Excellent skills in policy and legal research, analytical writing, and verbal communication.
• Ability to become proficient in new issue areas and contribute to creative, rigorous, analytical approaches to address them.
• Well-developed collaborative and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Well-developed judgment to assess needs, develop strategy, establish priorities, and effectively manage multiple tasks at the same time with moderate supervision.

COMPENSATION

Compensation starting at $70,000, and commensurate with experience. We also provide excellent benefits including:

• 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  

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, submit an application package via ELI's online application system at https://www.eli.org/employment. Note that your submission must contain the following uploaded documents (Word or PDF format), as follows:  

• Cover letter  
• Current CV or resume with dates for all listed experience 
• List of 3 references
• A legal writing sample

ELI will accept applications for this position on a rolling basis. You must use ELI’s online application system; ELI cannot accept applications submitted by email, USPS or other shipping service, or hand delivery.

Please note that to ensure the health and safety of the ELI workforce, any offer of employment from ELI is contingent on candidates providing proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.  ELI management will consider requests for religious or medical exceptions, consistent with applicable law.     

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.