Legislative Director, Climate and Energy

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.

This position provides legislative and administrative strategy development and implementation as well as oversight of a team of the Policy and Legislation staff working on Earthjustice’s climate and energy priorities, including limited PAL advocacy in the states if applicable.

This is a hybrid position from our Washington, D.C. office (minimum 2 days a week).

Responsibilities: 

Lobby Strategy Development and Implementation (30-40%) 

• Oversees the development and implementation of legislative and administrative advocacy strategies by supervisees as well as develops and implements same on issues covered directly.
• Directly lobby Congress and the Administration.
• Educate the Administration and Congress on key legal challenges and rulings.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice on (climate and energy) issues.
• Responsibly takes positions on policy and legislative matters relating to (climate and energy issues) in consultation with the V.P. of PAL, relevant supervisees, and, as warranted, relevant Legislative Director peers, Litigation V.P.s, litigators and other internal policy experts.
• Works with V.P. of Policy and Litigation and, as appropriate, relevant PAL, Litigation and Leadership staff in recommending positions on Presidential nominees.
• Develop, maintain and expand trusting relationships with senior staff of key congressional and administration decision-makers, including relevant congressional committees.
• Tracks legislation and policy initiatives relating to (climate and energy) issues.
• Develops or oversees the development of lobby and education materials by staff, including but not limited to fact sheets, letters, action alerts and blogs.
• Works with the relevant issue-based and PAL National Communications Strategists to develop media strategies and conducts media outreach and the creation of social media, blogs, op-eds and other strategic communications tools on (climate and energy) issues.
• Perform policy, legislative and legal analysis.
• Plan and implement initiatives, as well as oversee the planning and implementation of initiatives by supervisees, to educate the public and foster broader public advocacy for (climate and energy).
• Plan and execute events, such as fly-ins, briefings and lobby days and oversee same by supervisees.
• Proactively seek out opportunities to advance policies in the federal, and when applicable state, legislative and regulatory arenas.

Coalition and Partnerships(10-20%)

• Creates and maintains a leadership position within the D.C. environmental community and when applicable state and local environmental and justice communities on assigned issue areas.
• Represent Earthjustice in coalitions and with partners on assigned issues.
• Create opportunities for partners and allies to engage in education and advocacy on assigned issues and to be engaged in strategy development as appropriate.
• Cultivate and expands deep and trusting relationships with clients, partners, and coalitions in support of climate and energy issues.
• Coordinate briefings, seminars, and informational sessions with clients and partners as well as support partners’ Hill/administration outreach as appropriate.

Internal Coordination/Administration (15-20%)

• Serve on the PAL Managers Team and meaningfully contribute to same.
• Liaison with Earthjustice Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy, relevant Practice/Working Group chairs, litigators as well as PAL and Climate and Energy National Communications Strategists.
• Contributes to organization-wide annual and strategic planning, including serving on planning working groups and/or delegating team members to do so.
• Contribute to department-wide advocacy and efficiency improvement strategies.
• Assist in efforts to cultivate diversity, equity and inclusion within the