State Legislative Representative, Midwest Regional Office

Earthjustice seeks a State Legislative Representative for its Midwest Regional Office in Chicago Heights, IL. The role involves developing and implementing legislative strategies on environmental issues, advocating for clean energy and public health, and collaborating with various teams. Key responsibilities include lobbying, tracking legislation, creating educational materials, and engaging with media. Earthjustice is a nonprofit organization focused on environmental law and justice.
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 peopleu2019s 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.
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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, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.
The Midwest Regional Office partners with tribal communities and other impacted communities to fight for clean air, drinking water, and soil; we fight to protect the regionu2019s treasures, including the Great Lakes and the pristine Boundary Waters, and the fish and wildlife that inhabit these places; we fight to transition Illinois to a zero-emissions future where cars, trucks, buildings, and power plants run on clean energy, not fossil fuels.u00A0 u00A0 In coordination with the Midwest Regional Office, the State Legislative Representative will be responsible for developing and implementing both legislative and administrative strategies in Illinois, focusing on a range of environmental issues of importance to Earthjustice, our clients, and partners, including advancing clean energy innovation towards a zero-emissions future and promoting environmental justice, and protecting public health from toxics such as lead and PFAS. This role will work closely on their state advocacy with other programs within Earthjustice that engage in their region and interface with the D.C. Policy and Legislation Team.u00A0
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Lobby Strategy Development and Implementation (50-60%)
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Develop and implement legislative and administrative advocacy strategies relating to assigned issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Directly educate and lobby state legislature, Governoru2019s office, and executive agencies on priority issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Track legislation and policy initiatives relating to regional priority issues, and other program priority issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Develop lobby and education materials, including but not limited to legislative and policy memoranda, reports, briefing papers, fact sheets, letters, action alerts and blogs.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Draft new legislation, policies, and amendments to existing laws and policies.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Work with Communications Department to develop media strategies and conducts outreach to media and the creation of social media, blogs and op-eds on priority issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Work with Managing Attorney/Legislative Director and when warranted the relevant litigators and internal issue area experts to develop positions and strategies on relevant legislation and administrative actions.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Perform policy and legislative analysis.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Serve as a spokesperson for Earthjustice on issues relevant to legislative and policy priorities in assigned state(s).
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Supervise projects and other efforts performed in connection with priority legislative and administrative issues by Earthjustice attorneys, assistants, interns, or contractors. u00A0 Coalition and Partnerships (20-30%)
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Work closely with existing partners and clients, and cultivate new allies, strategic relationships, partnerships, and coalitions.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Establish effective coalition strategies in support of legislation and rulemaking proceedings, in collaboration with regional staff and other programs.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Cultivate strategic relationships and influential partnerships to further Earthjusticeu2019s objectives on priority issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Create opportunities for partners and allies to engage in advocacy on assigned issues and to be engaged in strategy development as appropriate.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Coordinate briefings, seminars, and informational sessions with partners as well as support partnersu2019 traditional and social media outreach as appropriate. u00A0 Internal Coordination and Administration (20%)
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Interface with Earthjustice regional offices and programs to support and inform their work relating to state policy.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Collaborate with Earthjustice lawyers and researchers on advocacy for state priority goals, including participating in internal working groups on relevant work.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Engage with State Legislative Director and federal Policy and Legislation (PAL) staff on issues that involve intersections between state and federal policy.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Ensure State Legislative Director and other PAL lobbyists are aware of work you are doing that may impact them, to prevent conflicts, for coordination, etc.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Coordinate with program teams on shared legislation or cross-cutting issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Participate and contribute in strategy meetings regarding possible or pending litigation bound to impact advocacy efforts on covered issues.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Contribute to Earthjusticeu2019s Community, Justice and Impact work through involvement in trainings and internal working groups.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Ensure timely submission of attendance, time accounting and reimbursement requests. u00A0 Qualifications
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Bacheloru2019s degree required.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Relevant advanced degree preferred.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Preferred: Minimum five yearsu2019 experience in legislative service, lobbying, and/or government relations in assigned state.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Knowledge of assigned stateu2019s legislature, legislative process, and state political landscape.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Demonstrated experience working with, and influencing, the legislative process in a collaborative environment with numerous stakeholders.u00A0
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Demonstrated experience working with the legislative process, including the ability to translate Earthjustice priorities into legislative language and implement effective lobbying strategies, often with partners, to ensure passage into law.u00A0
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Able to embrace a supportive, team-centered, inclusive approach to the work.u00A0
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Entrepreneurial spirit with proven ability to work independently and proactively.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects and deadlines.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Detail oriented and good organizational skills.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Excellent writing and oral communications skills, including experience in working with traditional and social media.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Proven ability to work in coalitions and with allies.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Experience in working with traditional and social media.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Proven ability to work independently and proactively. u2022 u00A0 u00A0Contributes towards an equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages partnership, active listening, and integrating diverse perspectives.
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Supports Earthjusticeu2019s core values of partnership, inclusion, justice and excellence. u00A0 u00A0 We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer a congenial, flexible, hybrid work environment and a casual dress code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program u00A0 Salary depends on experience and location. Salary range in Chicago, IL: $109,700 - $121,900 Salary range in remote locations in Illinois: $98,200 - $109,100 u00A0 To Apply:
Applicants should apply via Jobvite and include the following:
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Resume
u2022 u00A0 u00A0Cover letter u00A0 Preference will be given to candidates who apply by November 7, 2025.u00A0After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. u00A0 u00A0 Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only accepts resumes submitted for positions that are currently open. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via the on-line application process (where available), will not be reviewed or retained. u00A0 Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, inclusion and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are provided with equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position. u00A0 u00A0 u00A0