Since 1999, the Environmental Law Institute has awarded a prestigious annual fellowship for outstanding recent law school graduates.
The Public Interest Law Fellow works closely with other ELI attorneys and professionals, including our U.S. and international partners, to advance environmental protection — analyzing existing legal tools and institutions, developing new approaches, and crafting innovative solutions. The work frequently requires considering how environmental protection is affected by other laws and policies that are related to environment and society — e.g., those governing energy, taxation, land use, human rights, and governance and administration.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The law fellow is expected to assume substantial responsibility. Assignments include legal research, writing, and collaboration across all substantive ELI program areas. More specifically, the Public Interest Law Fellow:
• Analyzes existing legal tools, develops new ones, and crafts innovative approaches to advance environmental protection. This may require considering how environmental protection is affected by other laws and policies that are related to environment and society.
• Works with ELI attorneys, staff, and other professionals to develop and implement professional projects and programs consistent with ELI’s mission.
• Reaches out to constituents and represents the Institute publicly as needed to communicate and foster particular programs and projects.
• Assists in facilitating training activities and may be asked to make public presentations.
• Coordinates Research Associates and/or Research & Policy Interns on tasks related to specific programs (but does not formally supervise them).
QUALIFICATIONS
The fellowship hiring process is rigorous and highly competitive. Applicants must have a top academic record and exhibit superior legal research and writing skills. Law review experience is preferred; foreign language skills are a plus. The fellowship is awarded to a recent law school graduate (judicial law clerks are invited to apply). The one-year position begins in September of each year.
Required competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities include:
• Broad knowledge of and experience in environmental, energy, or natural resource law and policy
• Excellent skills in policy and legal research, analytical writing, and verbal communication
• Proficiency with standard office software, including Microsoft Office
• Demonstrated ability to: represent ELI publicly in a manner consistent with our mission and values; manage people and projects effectively and efficiently while producing high quality deliverables; collaborate effectively with others; establish and adhere to deadlines; effectively manage multiple projects; and establish priorities with moderate supervision
POSITION TYPE AND EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK
The Public Interest Law Fellow position is considered an exempt position for purposes of federal wage-hour law, which means that you will not be eligible for additional pay for hours actually worked in excess of 40 hours in a given workweek. Unless otherwise specified, this is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This job operates in a clerical office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. While performing the responsibilities of this job, an employee will be required to spend multiple hours in a stationary position using computers and attending meetings and occasionally move around the office environment to access office equipment, files, and supplies. An employee in this position will need sufficient verbal and auditory skills to communicate with others. Given the nature of the office setting, an employee must be able to adjust to ambient noise and moderate interruptions.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Domestic and/or international travel may be required on occasion. The location, duration, and frequency of travel varies among work projects.
COMPENSATION
$50,000 annual salary, with excellent benefits including:
• Health/Dental/Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employer paid life insurance & disability insurance
• Long Term Care insurance
• Pre-tax transportation benefit
• Fitness Incentive
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Account with employer match
• Paid time off
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND DEADLINE
Submit an application package via ELI’s online application system. Simply visit https://www.eli.org/employment to get started.
Note that your submission must contain the following uploaded documents (Word or PDF format), as follows:
1. a cover letter and resume, combined into a single document;
2. a law school transcript;
3. three professional references; and
4. a writing sample of approximately ten (but no more than 15) pages.
Applications must be submitted no later than 11:59 pm EST on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. You must use ELI’s online application system; ELI cannot accept applications submitted by email, USPS or other shipping service, or hand delivery. No phone calls, please.
ELI is an equal opportunity employer firmly committed to achieving an inclusive, diverse workforce that values every individual. We firmly believe that hiring individuals with varying perspectives and backgrounds contributes to our success as an organization, and we strive to create an environment that fosters inclusiveness. As such, minority candidates and candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.
