Full Time
Washington, DC, US
The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is an environmental law, science, and policy center that makes law work for people, places, and the planet. We envision a healthy environment, prosperous economies, and vibrant communities founded on the rule of law. Our mission is to foster innovative, just, and practical law and policy solutions to enable leaders across borders and sectors to make environmental, economic, and social progress.
Since 1999, ELI has annually awarded a prestigious law fellowship. This year we are offering a two-year fellowship opportunity, to begin in September 2024 and end in August 2026. This fellowship is an entry-level legal position. Past law fellows have gone on to judicial clerkships and environmental and human rights advocacy organizations, academia, federal agencies, and law firms.
JOB SUMMARY
The Public Interest Law Fellow works closely with other ELI attorneys and professionals, including our U.S. and international partners, to advance environmental protection, the rule of law, and environmental justice. The work frequently requires considering how environmental protection is affected by other laws and policies that are related to environment and society — e.g., those governing energy, taxation, land use, human rights, and governance and administration.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The law fellow is expected to assume substantial responsibility and will work collaboratively with other ELI professional staff in a team approach. Assignments include legal and public policy research, writing, and collaboration across all substantive ELI program areas. More specifically, the Public Interest Law Fellow:
- Analyzes existing legal and public policy tools and crafts innovative approaches to advance environmental protection and environmental justice in multiple US and international settings.
- Works with ELI staff and other professionals to develop and implement professional projects and programs consistent with ELI’s mission.
- Represents the Institute publicly as needed to communicate and foster particular programs and projects.
- Assists in facilitating training activities and may be asked to make public presentations.
- Coordinates Research Associates and/or Research & Policy Interns on tasks related to specific programs (but does not formally supervise them).
QUALIFICATIONS
The fellowship hiring process is rigorous and highly competitive. Applicants must have a JD degree, top academic record and exhibit superior legal research and writing skills. Law review or equivalent experience is preferred; foreign language skills are a plus.
The Environmental Law Institute is collaborative by nature, and you must be able to interact in a professional manner with people from diverse racial, ethnic, political, and socioeconomic backgrounds. We employ anti-racist practices and principles while striving to support ELI’s culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Other skills needed but not limited to include:
- Broad knowledge of and experience in environmental, energy, or natural resource law and policy
- Excellent skills in policy and legal research, analytical writing, and verbal communication
- Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office
- Demonstrated ability to:
- Represent ELI publicly in a manner consistent with our mission and values
- Contribute to projects effectively and efficiently while producing high quality deliverables
- Collaborate effectively with others
- Establish and adhere to deadlines
- Effectively manage multiple projects
- Establish priorities with moderate supervision
COMPENSATION
The annual salary for this position is $60,000. 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:
- a cover letter and resume, combined into a single document;
- a law school transcript;
- Identification of three professional references; and
- a writing sample of approximately ten (but no more than 15) pages.
Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm EST on Monday, December 11, 2023. 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.
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.
