New York Policy Advocate

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 guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. 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, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

The New York Policy Advocate will be responsible for working with appropriate Earthjustice team members to develop and implement legislative and administrative strategies in New York advocating for our priority issues.  Our current focus areas are protecting families from toxic chemicals in their drinking water, food, and homes; enacting policies to curb climate-destabilizing greenhouse gas emissions from the power, industrial, transportation, and food/agriculture sectors; supporting efforts to accelerate clean energy, buildings, transportation, and agriculture; and implementing the state’s ambitious Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA). The Policy Advocate will be a member of Earthjustice’s Northeast Regional Office and will be based in Albany.  Additionally, the Policy Advocate will work with Earthjustice’s Washington, DC-based Policy and Legislative office.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies for legislative and non-legislative policy actions, including policies, guidance and regulations issued by New York executive agencies that advance our positions on environmental issues in the state of New York.
• Coordinate and track work with Earthjustice’s Policy and Legislative Office as well as other programs throughout Earthjustice that have advocacy goals in the state.
• Collaborate with Earthjustice litigators on New York’s priority goals.
• Directly lobby the New York legislature, Governor’s Office, and key executive agencies.
• Track legislation and policy initiatives relating to priority issues.
• Develop advocacy materials, including but not limited to legislative and policy memoranda, reports, briefing papers, letters, fact sheets, memos of support, action alerts, and blogs.
• Work with our Communications Department to develop media strategies and conduct media outreach on assigned issues.
• Research and analyze proposed legislation and policies, sometimes with the assistance of internal policy analysts, litigators, and/or program associates.
• Draft new legislation and policies and amendments to existing laws and policies.
• Collaborate with existing partners and coalitions in support of assigned issues, and work to cultivate new allies.
• Cultivate strategic relationships and influential partnerships to further Earthjustice’s objectives on priority issues.
• Educate the New York legislature, Governor’s Office, and/or key agencies on significant legal challenges and rulings.
• Assist in fundraising efforts related to assigned issue areas as requested by our Development Department.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice on priority issues.
• Supervise projects and other efforts performed in connection with priority legislative and administrative issues by associates, assistants, interns, or contractors.

Qualifications: 

• JD. or other advanced relevant policy degree preferred, but not required.
• At least five years’ experience in policy or lobbying.
• Demonstrated experience working with legislative process.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects and meet deadlines.
• Excellent writing and oral communications skills.
• Detail oriented and good organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work in coalitions and with partners.
• Experience in working with traditional and social media.
• Entrepreneurial spirit with proven ability to work independently and proactively.
• Experience with general environmental law, including policies around environmental justice, preferred.
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
• Demonstrated commitment to the creation of a diverse, equitable and inclusive work culture that encourages and celebrates differences.

Salary is based on experience and location. 
Salary range in Albany, NY: $105,300 - $117,000

We offer a mission and employee-focused work environment and a competitive compensation package including excellent benefits.  Earthjustice is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit the following via the Jobvite system:

• Resume.
• Cover Letter.

Click here to apply: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=orEvffwz&s=ClimateBase

Please, no phone calls, hard copies, or drop-ins. If you're having technical difficulties submitting your application, reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org 

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership, 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.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco:  Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

For positions located within the City of Los Angeles:  We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.