Policy Advocate, Colorado

Earthjustice is actively seeking Attorneys, Advocates, and other crucial roles – see all our opportunities here: https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs

Earthjustice is seeking a Colorado Policy Advocate, responsible for developing and implementing both legislative and administrative strategies in Colorado, focusing on issues related to environmental justice, oil and gas regulation, clean air, clean water, and climate and clean energy. They will be a member of Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain Regional Office (RMO) based in Denver. Earthjustice is the nation’s leading environmental law organization. Wielding the power of law, Earthjustice partners with our clients to take on the most critical fights of our time—fights to protect the incredible biodiversity and wild places of the planet; to avert climate disaster by transitioning society away from fossil fuels toward clean energy; to safeguard the right of all people to a healthy environment. 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, Bozeman, Chicago, Denver, Honolulu, Houston, Juneau, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Seattle, Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. Earthjustice’s Rocky Mountain Office was established in 1972 as the second of the now 15 Earthjustice offices. Based in Denver, the Rocky Mountain Office focuses on issues in the Intermountain West and Southwest. The Rocky Mountain Office is working to promptly and equitably transition states from a reliance on dirty fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy. The Rocky Mountain Office fights for the right to a healthy environment and to defend disproportionately impacted and tribal communities from pollution and other environmental harms. And the Rocky Mountain Office fights to protect our region’s treasured public lands and wildlife from fracking, mining, and other threats. Learn more about the Rocky Mountain Office and its work at https://earthjustice.org/about/offices/rocky-mountain.  The Rocky Mountain office is located in the heart of downtown Denver near the federal and state courthouses, public transportation, and the vibrant LoDo, RiNo and Capitol Hill neighborhoods.  We are a bike-friendly office, located near many of Denver’s bike paths. The office employs a hybrid approach where staff are in the office a minimum of one day per week and as necessary depending on case and office needs and may otherwise choose whether to work remotely or in the office.    

Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with RMO litigators to identify key goals that promote environmental health, clean energy sources, and justice for disproportionately impacted communities, and then work with our partners to implement legislative strategies that achieve those goals.
• Directly lobby the Colorado legislature, Governor’s Office, and key administrative agencies and commissions.
• 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.
• 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, as well as amendments to existing laws and policies.
• Track and analyze legislation and policy initiatives relating to priority issues.
• Testify in support or opposition of priority legislation proposed each session.
• Participate in select stakeholder processes convened by administrative agencies.
• Work with Earthjustice’s Policy and Legislative Department as well as other state advocates to share relevant information and strategies.
• Contribute to the RMO’s strategic planning efforts.
• Work with our communications team on media outreach efforts.
• Maintain a leadership position within the Colorado environmental community on priority issues.
• Serve as spokesperson for Earthjustice on priority legislative issues.
• Supervise projects performed in connection with legislative and administrative issues by associate attorneys, assistants, interns, or contractors.

 Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s Degree required. JD preferred, but not required.
• At least five years of policy and legal advocacy experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with, and influencing, the legislative process in a collaborative environment with numerous stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience working with the legislative process, including the ability to translate Earthjustice priorities into legislative language and implement effective lobbying strategies, often with partners, to ensure passage into law.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and projects on firm deadlines.
• Excellent writing and oral communications skills.
• Must be detail oriented, with good organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work in coalitions and with allies, especially with environmental justice organizations and communities
• Experience in working with traditional and social media.
• Entrepreneurial and creative spirit with proven ability to work independently and proactively.
• High levels of emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience with scientific or technical issues related to oil and gas, the electric sector, climate, energy, and/or environmental justice issues preferred, but not required.
• 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.
• Able to embrace a supportive, team-centered, inclusive approach to the work.
• On occasion, the ability to work evening and nighttime hours when legislative sessions run long.
• Commitment to serving the public interest and a passion for the role of Earthjustice and its mission.

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and location. 
 
Salary in Denver: $116,200 – $129,100  
 
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. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.