The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks an Environmental Justice Staff Attorney be based at their Philip Merrill Environmental Center headquarters located in Annapolis, MD.
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest regional non-profit conservation organization working solely to save the Bay. Established in 1967, CBF has a staff of approximately 185 employees working in offices in Annapolis Maryland; Richmond and VA Beach, Virginia; Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C., and in 15 field education program locations. Our staff and volunteer corps work throughout the region educating students and adults, advocating for clean water polices, restoring waterways, and litigating when necessary.
CBF’s headquarters office in Annapolis, MD is the Philip Merrill Environmental Center, the world’s first U.S. Green Build Council’s LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened The Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach, VA. The Brock Center is one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.
CBF has an annual budget of approximately $21 million and is supported by more than 200,000 members and e-subscribers. For more information on CBF please visit www.cbf.org.
CONTEXT OF THE POSITION
The purpose of the Environmental Justice Staff Attorney is to continue CBF’s environmental justice initiative as it relates to furthering the goals of a healthier and cleaner Bay. This position has overlapping responsibilities both as an advocate developing relationships with people in under-represented communities and as an attorney identifying and asserting legal arguments on behalf of these communities. Now in its second year, the attorney will play a significant role in continuing the implementation of this position, which is designed to defend the right of all people to a healthy environment. The attorney will focus on communities within the Chesapeake Bay watershed that bear a disproportionate share of pollution that harms the health of residents and impact the state of the Chesapeake Bay. As a legal advisor, the attorney will work together with community groups, non-profit organizations, and State officials to advance CBF’s mission. The attorney will review all projects the Litigation Department considers, determine if they contain an environmental justice component, and make an appropriate recommendation to the team.
Essential functions include:
• Within the context of CBF’s Chesapeake Bay Blueprint goals, focus on securing relief from air pollution, water pollution, hazardous waste sites, and other hazards that negatively impact the environment and health of under-represented communities.
• Work with CBF’s Environmental Protection and Restoration department and other departments to coordinate outreach programs.
• Work closely with the Vice President of Litigation to investigate, develop, and litigate cases.
• Review all projects the Litigation Department considers and determine if there is an Environmental Justice component to them.
• Participate in policy and media advocacy on environmental justice matters.
• Engage in a wide range of tasks involved in complex litigation, including, where appropriate, factual investigation, legal research, discovery, briefing, witness preparation, and oral advocacy.
• Work directly with community members educating them about the environmental conditions of their neighborhoods and empowering them to fight for better environmental conditions.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Licensed and eligible to practice law in one of the watershed states.
• 0-5 years litigation or related experience.
• Excellent research, analytic, writing and communication skills.
• Strong work ethic, initiative, sound judgment and creativity.
• Experience working on behalf of under-represented communities or individuals
• Strong desire to fight for the right of all to a healthy environment and a cleaner Chesapeake Bay.
• Ability to work well in a team-oriented atmosphere.
• Commitment to public interest work and a passion for the role of CBF and its mission.
How to Apply
Please submit a cover letter and resume no later than September 7, 2018 through our website.
CBF offers a comprehensive benefits package to include: 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, health, vision, dental, life insurance, and a tax deferred retirement plan. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
