The incoming Policy Director, Clean Air & Water (Attorney) is driven by their belief in and commitment to WE ACT’s vision and mission. Through their track record as a policy advocate, lawyer or legal strategist, the successful candidate determines and drives WE ACT’s federal policy agenda around clean air and water. The Director builds authentic and lasting relationships inside and outside the organization with regulators, policy makers and coalition members, engaging with them as partners in WE ACT’s mission and vision.

The successful candidate is entrepreneurial and self-directed, bringing policy and political savvy to prioritize an ambitious agenda for maximum impact. This role requires a deep commitment to the principles of environmental justice and the ability to influence the development and implementation of federal policy and regulation. The optimal candidate has worked in an advocacy environment and understands the movement context, possessing a strong grasp of the economic, social and political forces that shape environmental policy related to clean air and water in the U.S. The selected candidate will also possess most of the following Core and Preferred qualifications:

Core

• Strong commitment to the mission and goals of WE ACT and a strong passion for solving the climate crisis through environmental justice.
• At least 7 years of increasing responsibility in public policy, with a proven track record of accomplishments designing and executing strategies that generate strong EJ-centered policy, intervening in administrative dockets and successfully influencing regulatory policy.
• JD, law school graduate admitted, or willing to apply for admission, to the District of Columbia Bar.
• Demonstrated experience working across lines of race, class, gender and geography and an analysis of how climate change and energy-related issues intersect with historically marginalized communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of how organized movements create change and accomplish policy objectives and familiarity with administrative, constitutional and regulatory processes.
• Outstanding research, analysis, oral and written communications skills in order to:
• Translate complex data and analysis into persuasive narratives;
• Communicate WE ACT strategies without jargon;
• Write and deliver cogent arguments often within a short turnaround time.
• Exceptional project management skills and a high degree of emotional intelligence to support consensus building and collaboration between and among diverse stakeholders who may possess divergent viewpoints.
• Outstanding relationship-building skills with a wide range of diverse external constituencies, diplomatic abilities and authentic leadership skills that build the trust-based relationships necessary for stakeholders to buy in and share accountability for our collective work.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and be flexible in a fast-paced, constantly evolving and collaborative environment, where working on a team and working individually are required.

Preferred

• Background in environmental, climate, energy, or civil rights policy with a specific focus on the Clean Air Act and associated clean air and water legislation, regulations and policies.

SALARY & BENEFITS

WE ACT offers competitive nonprofit compensation and is committed to justice in salary transparency and wage equity. The salary range for this position is $125,000 - $140,000, based on experience and qualifications. WE ACT offers a generous suite of benefits, including comprehensive health care (medical, dental and vision), flexible spending account, life insurance, pre-tax transit program, retirement programs and paid holidays and vacation, along with onsite HR support for your benefit needs. WE ACT follows a 3-2 hybrid work policy, requiring 3 days in the office per week. All staff are fully vaccinated.

OUR COMMITMENT TO EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

WE ACT is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, women, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ communities. We are committed to transparent and equitable recruitment, hiring and promotion processes that foster inclusion and belonging. If you’ve read this job description, are excited by it and can see yourself in this role, we hope you apply. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please email David Hudson at davidhudson@weact.org.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply or nominate a candidate, please send to david.hudson@weact.org with “Policy Director, Clean Air & Water (Attorney)” in the subject line a resume, a sample legal brief or memo and cover email or letter answering the following:

1. Why are you passionate about environmental justice?
2. Briefly share a policy (legislative, administrative or regulatory) win you played a key role in, particularly a lesson learned that you would apply to WE ACT’s clean air and water policy goals.

Submission in a combined PDF or Microsoft Word file is preferred. This position is open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.