Job Description

Associate / Staff Attorney

Locations: Oakland, CA; Washington, DC; Denver, CO; Remote (remote option available for Staff Attorney)

Department: Legal – Environmental Law Program (ELP)

Commitment: Regular – Full Time

Workplace Type: On-site (see remote note above)

Position Details

Job Title: Associate or Staff Attorney

Department: Program / ELP

Reports To: Managing Attorney

Supervises: None

Context

At the Sierra Club, we believe in the power of interdependence. Together, we remain committed to the fight for a healthy climate built on a foundation of environmental, racial, economic, and gender justice — a future where all people benefit from a healthy, thriving planet and a direct connection to nature. As the climate crisis and entrenched systemic racism fuel injustice, we will continue to fight for a bold, transformational agenda that recognizes the interconnectedness between our planet, our humanity, and our future.

Sierra Club has close to 800 staff across the country and a network of 64 local chapters led and fueled by thousands of volunteers. We are proud to be a unionized employer, with three labor unions representing more than half of our employees.

Scope

Sierra Club is seeking an Associate or Staff Attorney to join its national legal team as a litigator for Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program. Appointment will be made commensurate with experience. Under the supervision of managing and senior attorneys, the attorney will litigate cases at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and in federal courts, advocate in regional transmission organization stakeholder processes, and advise Sierra Club campaigns, with a focus on decarbonizing the electrical grid by replacing coal and fracked gas with clean energy and promoting affordable electric service. The attorney will help design and implement legal and advocacy strategies and coordinate with campaign staff, coalition partners, and outside counsel.

Job Activities (include but are not limited to)

• Litigate key Sierra Club matters, including FERC dockets, under supervision; assume increasing responsibility for case development, legal research and writing, and oral advocacy.
• Represent Sierra Club in select regional transmission organization stakeholder processes through written/oral advocacy and coalition development/support.
• Develop and implement strategic legal campaigns to support Beyond Coal objectives in coordination with staff, volunteer leaders, and outside counsel.
• Evaluate proposed litigation and advise leadership on Sierra Club participation.
• Plan programmatic litigation and advocacy to replace coal and gas with clean energy while improving affordability and reliability of electric service; draft legal components of strategic plans and reports.
• Center equity, justice, and inclusion in all work; address historic inequitable environmental/economic burdens borne by overburdened communities.
• Analyze legal cases and trends for Sierra Club management and membership.
• Provide legal advice to Chapters and Groups on local energy-related programs and objectives.
• Perform miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Experience

• J.D. and license to practice law.
• 2–4 years of practice experience for Associate Attorney.
• 5–9 years of practice experience for Staff Attorney.
• Excellent research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills.
• Strong interpersonal and consensus-building skills; ability to work collaboratively with clients and colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice.
• Knowledge of energy law.
• Passion for Sierra Club’s mission to protect and restore the natural and human environment.
• Committed to evolution: continuously deepening understanding of systems of oppression; recognizing one’s relationship to privilege and power and adjusting behaviors accordingly.
• Uplifting and additive: views mistakes as growth opportunities; brings a constructive, can-do approach with humor and kindness.

Title will be determined based on years of experience at the date of hire, as detailed above.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $107,936 – $174,100 (depending on years of legal experience and location).

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and subject to the contract between Sierra Club and ELPU. It is a category 2 or 3, exempt, represented position.

The Sierra Club offers a competitive salary package plus benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan.

Visa Sponsorship

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals and sponsors nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and People Department in consultation with the employee’s manager. Approval of a visa petition cannot be guaranteed.

To Apply

Equal Employment Opportunity: Sierra Club provides equal employment and advancement opportunities to all staff. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, lived experience, and skills. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected characteristic under applicable law.

Sierra Club values applicants who are Black, Indigenous, and other minoritized groups; women; and queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, and gender fluid people.

Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.

How to Apply

Please apply directly through the Lever link here.

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: energy, environmental, ferc, Law, and Litigation. Salaries: 100,000 and above.

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