Job Description

Department: Environmental Law Program

Location: Washington, DC

Reports to: Legal Operations Manager

Context: Sierra Club is seeking a Legal Assistant to join its national legal team as a Legal Assistant for Sierra Club’s Environmental Law Program (ELP). The Legal Assistant will provide litigation support to advance the mission of the Environmental Law Program and Sierra Club campaigns, conduct legal and factual research, and manage programmatic aspects of ELP.

Job Activities:

• Litigation
  • Collaborates with attorneys, paralegals, and other ELP staff to complete the critical, precise tasks of litigation, including editing, formatting and otherwise preparing legal documents, communicating with court clerks, and filing and serving documents properly and on time.
  • Interviews potential standing declarants and drafts standing declarations under the supervision of attorneys.
  • Drafts and submits Freedom of Information Act and Public Record Act requests under the supervision of attorneys.
• Campaign/Research
  • Monitors and reports all relevant public information regarding permitting, public notices, and media relating to current and potential legal actions relating to coal plants and other priority targets of Sierra Club campaigns.
  • Conducts miscellaneous research and prepares reports in support of Sierra Club campaigns.
  • Tracks and records the status of litigation, rulemakings, etc. to enable access to legal and technical resources by the network of attorneys and allied organizations collaborating on Sierra Club campaigns.
• Administrative
  • Performs a range of administrative and clerical duties which include scheduling, invoice processing, reimbursements, travel logistics, copying, collating, faxing, supply ordering, filing, event planning and organizing for ELP, mail pickup, and managing various spreadsheets for general program information.

Standard Overtime

This position requires occasional overtime to meet special deadlines, projects, other staff absences, or emergencies. Under these circumstances, overtime will rarely exceed 5 hours per week or 15 hours on a monthly basis.

Qualifications:

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to perform multiple tasks and adhere to deadlines.
• Computer skills: Experience with Microsoft Office (including strong familiarity with Excel and Word). Familiarity with G-suite plus general computer literacy and solid internet research skills required.
• Solid research, writing, oral communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills required.
• Ability to do precise, careful work needed for courtroom filings, attorney admissions, and correspondence with courts, external parties, etc.
• Ability to work successfully in teams and under own initiative, to handle multiple assignments simultaneously, and to make timely decisions.
• Knowledge of energy and climate data sources and familiarity with government climate/energy policy and litigation procedures are a plus.

In 2015, Sierra Club formalized its vision for an internal transformation to become a more equitable and inclusive organization. Sierra Club and its Environmental Law Program recognize that the environmental movement and the field of law have historically been white, wealthy, and male-dominated, and given that history, we are committed to creating a workplace where people from all social identities and backgrounds feel welcomed and can thrive. We strive to become an organization that attracts, retains, and celebrates people from all avenues of life who share our values. Sierra Club has adopted the Jemez Principles, a set   of guidelines designed to help people from different cultures, communities, politics, and organizations work together in solidarity. The Environmental Law Program strives to conduct litigation in accordance with the Jemez Principles and in furtherance of Sierra Club’s vision of becoming a more equitable and inclusive organization. For more information about our commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice, please visit: sierraclub.org/equity.

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Sierra Club and Progressive Workers Union.

The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.

This is a category 6 non-exempt position.

Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club Human Resources in consultation with the employee’s manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition.

The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.

How to Apply

Please apply online here. The hiring committee will review applications on a rolling basis.The position will remain open until filled. Please attach a cover letter and resume to the online application. In addition, please provide a separate statement of 250 words or less addressing whether there are particular environmental or social justice issues that inspire you; and past work or other experience that demonstrates your commitment to equity, inclusion, and justice.

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time.

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