Job opportunity - Climate Change and Environment Attorney

[Lois Greene]

JOB POSTING:

CLIMATE CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENT ATTORNEY

Connecticut Fund for the Environment / Save the Sound

www.ctenvironment.org • www.savethesound.org

 

Connecticut Fund for the Environment (CFE) is a leading non-profit environmental advocacy organization based in New Haven, Connecticut.  CFE’s Save the Sound program has an additional office in Mamaroneck, New York for its Western Long Island Sound program. CFE is a professional organization with a strong track record and we are currently in an exciting period of expansion. It is seeking an experienced, dynamic, self-starter to fill a position as the Climate Change and Environment Attorney.  This is a full-time position in New Haven, CT which reports to CFE’s Program Director.

           

CFE’s climate and energy program is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing Connecticut’s leadership role in addressing climate change and air pollution and supporting sustainable communities and economies.   CFE uses legal and policy expertise to advocate for effective environmental solutions; Save the Sound, a permanent program of CFE, is dedicated to the protection, preservation and appreciation of Long Island Sound.

 

Position and Responsibilities

The climate change and environment attorney will be primarily responsible for developing and implementing CFE’s climate and energy program under the direct supervision of CFE’s Program Director, who oversees CFE’s policy work. The position will involve working with multiple stakeholders in the legislature, administration, regulatory agencies, business community, clean energy community, and others, including other environmental advocacy groups. It will involve researching and understanding cutting-edge issues regarding climate change, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, clean energy finance, renewable energy deployment, grid modernization, and utility business models. Responsibilities include drafting legislation, comments in administrative proceedings, and grant proposals, testifying on bills before the state legislature, and working with communications staff on public outreach materials and press.

 

The energy and environment attorney, with direction and supervision from the Program Director, will also plan, track, and report progress to demonstrate genuine progress in meeting CFE’s goals. Recent priorities include: (1) advocating for meaningful greenhouse gas emissions reductions at the Governor’s Council on Climate Change and at the local level, (2) supporting policies to promote electric vehicles, (3) the Share the Sun campaign, which focuses on public outreach and education around shared solar, and (4) removing regulatory barriers to deployment of clean and renewable distributed generation. The attorney may also appear before agencies and in federal and state court on behalf of CFE in energy, air, land, and water related matters.   

 

Qualifications

Candidates must have a J.D. and be admitted to the Connecticut state bar, or be willing to sit for the Connecticut bar at the next available opportunity. Another advanced degree in science, economics, or policy would be helpful but is not required. The ideal candidate should have at least 2-3 years of postgraduate legal experience, a demonstrated commitment to public interest environmental advocacy, and a background in energy and climate law and policy. He or she should be highly self-motivated, capable of organizing and implementing campaigns, and a strong public representative of CFE and its mission. Finally, he or she should have experience in, and understanding of, legislative and regulatory affairs involving climate and energy, including knowledge of state and federal regulation of utilities. Outstanding research and writing skills and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively are required.          

 

Interested candidates should email a resume, cover letter, and three references to Valerie Wormely-Radford at [e-mail] with “Climate Change and Environmental Attorney” in the subject line. The application process will remain open until a candidate is selected, however CFE advises that materials be submitted prior to June 15, 2017. Candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis.  

 

CFE is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on any basis when considering applicants. Compensation is commensurate with education and experience.

 

Background

Founded in 1978, Connecticut Fund for the Environment merged in 2004 with Save the Sound, a respected voice for the protection of Long Island Sound’s shoreline, marine habitat and water quality since 1972. Linking CFE’s legal, scientific and policy expertise with Save the Sound’s proven stewardship, restoration, and community outreach capability has created one of the region’s leading environmental organizations. Our mission is to protect and improve the land, air and water of Connecticut and Long Island Sound. Our staff of 32 works with thousands of partners and stakeholders, including elected officials and community leaders, individual citizen activists (13,000), volunteers (2,500), and members (5,300).

 

Additional Duties of All CFE/Save the Sound Employees

All employees are expected to assist with execution of the annual development plan to support meeting the annual organizational and campaign budget. Activities may include, but are not limited to:

•Playing a lead or support role in drafting content for grant proposals and funding requests;

•Participating in donor cultivation and solicitation activities in support of small donor development; and

•Supporting the execution of small fundraising events or donor cultivation events.

 

All employees must also maintain accountability to administrative systems and procedures, including but not limited to:

•Submitting expense reimbursements, credit card reconciliations, invoices, lobbying reports, etc. by the deadlines assigned, as well as submitting content for the outreach calendar;

•Plan, track, and report on individual and departmental work in support of organizational coordination;

•Contribute content for organizational communications and marketing materials.