Senior Climate Attorney

The Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. seeks a Senior Climate Attorney to join its Climate & Energy team in the U.S., preferably Washington, D.C. This role involves federal litigation and regulatory advocacy related to climate and air pollution from the power sector. Candidates should have over 7 years of legal experience, a Juris Doctor degree, and expertise in climate and clean energy policy. The position allows for collaboration with various NRDC programs.
Overview

NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws, including the Clean Water Act and many of the implementing regulations. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C.

NRDC is seeking a Senior Attorney to work with the Climate & Energy team in any of our U.S. offices (Washington, D.C. preferred).

Position Summary

The Senior Attorney will play a key role in NRDC’s climate, clean air, and clean energy federal litigation and regulatory advocacy as a senior member of the Climate & Energy Program’s Power Sector Division. The team’s priority regulatory initiatives include: Environmental Protection Agency regulations for climate and air pollution from the power sector, motor vehicles, and heavy industry; and other agency actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Senior Attorney will join a team of experienced Clean Air Act advocates and litigators working to defend federal climate standards. This position will also have the opportunity to collaborate with programs across NRDC, including, for example: experienced communications staff; technical experts in the Science Office; and advocates in the Environment, Equity, and Justice Center.

Your new role at NRDC is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).

Responsibilities
• Participate in advancing NRDC’s Climate & Energy Program federal initiatives, including regulatory advocacy and litigation related to EPA Clean Air Act regulation of pollution from the power sector, motor vehicles, oil and gas industry, or other heavy industry.  
• Represent NRDC in litigation, as well as before government agencies and congressional offices, in the media, at public events, and with external partners and stakeholders. 
• Help define and execute NRDC’s litigation and advocacy strategies to advance new policy approaches and defend strong regulations. 
• Provide counsel and guidance to Climate & Energy Program staff on legal topics and related policy issues. 
• Monitor and, as appropriate, litigate unlawful federal deregulatory actions and other threats to administrative agencies and the civil service

Qualifications

This Senior Attorney position is designed for mid-career attorneys with more than 7 years of legal experience. In assessing candidates, we look for:
• Juris Doctor degree and admission to the Bar of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice, or willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that Bar.
• 7+ years of direct experience working on climate, clean air, or clean energy policy. 
• Knowledge of administrative law and federal court practice. 
• Excellent writing, research, and public speaking skills. 
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail. 
• Good strategic judgment, integrity, professional discretion, and ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters. 
• Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission. 

Preferred 
• Experience litigating and working with coalitions. 
• Knowledge of the Clean Air Act  and associated technical issues.
• Experience practicing in the D.C. Circuit. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $130,000 to $140,000.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month.

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws.

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs.

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422.

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.