What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff or Senior Attorney - Energy Justice Program position at Center for Biological Diversity?
Job Description
Job Description
Salary : $69,000-125,000 DOE
Salary Range : Staff Attorney : $69,000 - $85,000; Senior Attorney : $85,000 - $125,000
Location : Applicants residing in or ready to relocate to the DC area preferred; exceptional candidates who will work remotely will also be considered.
ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.
We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Staff or Senior Attorney will work as part of a highly driven, dynamic, and supportive team in the Energy Justice Program. Organizational priorities for the Program include challenging federal, state, and utility attacks on distributed renewable energy and energy democracy; holding utilities accountable for egregious behavior harming ratepayers, especially poor communities and communities of color, wildlands, and the climate; and generally stripping the social license of fossil utilities, which are at the frontline of driving the climate emergency.
The main duties of this role include innovative impact litigation and administrative advocacy, as well as advancing justice-centered campaigns at both the federal and state levels. The attorney will litigate federal and state court and administrative cases, build and maintain effective relationships with partners, conduct media advocacy, and engage the public through campaign activities. The ideal candidate will have excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills and be a proactive and confident self-starter, with an ability to think strategically, creatively, and quickly. The position may require work on other organizational priorities as well. The attorney will report to and work closely with the Energy Justice Legal Director and closely collaborate with the Programs other lawyers, campaigners, policy specialists, and media colleagues.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Work closely with Energy Justice program staff to identify, develop and litigate cases, rulemaking petitions, and administrative and regulatory advocacy instruments before state and federal regulatory agencies to advance program goals;
- Draft legal briefs, petitions and technical comment letters on environmental issues, permitting processes, proposed rules, and other actions across numerous state and federal regulatory agencies;
- Produce consistently high-quality work, including delivering regular legal work such as briefs, memos, petitions, technical comment letters, or oral arguments, as needed;
- Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and activists and decisionmakers;
- Represent the Center in coalitions and meetings related to active campaigns and litigation;
- Conduct media advocacy, including drafting press releases, fact sheets, drafting opinion editorials, and delivering effective statements to reporters;
- Engage the public through campaign activities such as action alerts and public speaking;
- Collaborate regularly, including on case development, feedback and review of writing, and strategic thinking, with the Energy Justice legal director and team;
- May include supervision of law clerks and legal fellows;
- Occasional travel required (meetings, conferences, hearings, oral arguments, field visits, etc.);
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
WORKING CONDITIONS
This position will preferably work from the DC Office with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday with some morning, night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines, but the Program is open to remote work depending on circumstances, where stable and fast internet from your home office is required (the Center provides a home office stipend). The position will require travel for meetings, conferences, hearing, field visits, and court appearances. The DC Office is open all week, but the Team generally comes in 2-3 days / week.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organizations discretion.
Cognitive
Ability to process and analyze information : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Exchange accurate information : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Communicate and express oneself with others : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Interaction with other colleagues : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Interaction with the public / co-collaborators : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Physical
Reading (ingest data) : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Working on a computer : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Typing : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Writing by hand : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Sitting : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Walking : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Standing : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Lift / Carry 0-25 lbs : [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Lift / Carry 25-75 lbs : [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Climbing up or down stairs : [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Bending : [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Squatting : [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Reaching overhead : [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Repetitive motions : [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently
Ability to drive : [] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Location Conditions
In person required (versus remote work) : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Travel required : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Night or weekend work : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
Work in outdoor conditions : [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
BENEFITS (Subject to changesee Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30 hours a week
For all regular staff
JEDAI STATEMENT
The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.
We are an equal opportunity employer.
The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.
Application process :
Please apply online and email a cover letter, resume, a writing sample of no more than 10 pages, and at least 2 references to Howard Crystal at hcrystal@biologicaldiversity.org. Please include in your cover letter your earliest possible start date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; the position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Salary : $69,000 - $125,000
