Earthjustice Careers

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 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, Chicago, Houston, New Orleans, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.

The Midwest Regional Office partners with tribal communities and other impacted communities to fight for clean air, drinking water, and soil; we fight to protect the region’s treasures, including the Great Lakes and the pristine Boundary Waters, and the fish and wildlife that inhabit these places; we fight to transition Illinois to a zero-emissions future where cars, trucks, buildings, and power plants run on clean energy, not fossil fuels. 

 

In coordination with the Midwest Regional Office, the State Legislative Representative will be responsible for developing and implementing both legislative and administrative strategies in Illinois, focusing on a range of environmental issues of importance to Earthjustice, our clients, and partners, including advancing clean energy innovation towards a zero-emissions future and promoting environmental justice, and protecting public health from toxics such as lead and PFAS. This role will work closely on their state advocacy with other programs within Earthjustice that engage in their region and interface with the D.C. Policy and Legislation Team. 

Lobby Strategy Development and Implementation (50-60%)
•    Develop and implement legislative and administrative advocacy strategies relating to assigned issues.
•    Directly educate and lobby state legislature, Governor’s office, and executive agencies on priority issues.
•    Track legislation and policy initiatives relating to regional priority issues, and other program priority issues.
•    Develop lobby and education materials, including but not limited to legislative and policy memoranda, reports, briefing papers, fact sheets, letters, action alerts and blogs.
•    Draft new legislation, policies, and amendments to existing laws and policies.
•    Work with Communications Department to develop media strategies and conducts outreach to media and the creation of social media, blogs and op-eds on priority issues.
•    Work with Managing Attorney/Legislative Director and when warranted the relevant litigators and internal issue area experts to develop positions and strategies on relevant legislation and administrative actions.
•    Perform policy and legislative analysis.
•    Serve as a spokesperson for Earthjustice on issues relevant to legislative and policy priorities in assigned state(s).
•    Supervise projects and other efforts performed in connection with priority legislative and administrative issues by Earthjustice attorneys, assistants, interns, or contractors.

 

Coalition and Partnerships (20-30%)
•    Work closely with existing partners and clients, and cultivate new allies, strategic relationships, partnerships, and coalitions.
•    Establish effective coalition strategies in support of legislation and rulemaking proceedings, in collaboration with regional staff and other programs.
•    Cultivate strategic relationships and influential partnerships to further Earthjustice’s objectives on priority issues.
•    Create opportunities for partners and allies to engage in advocacy on assigned issues and to be engaged in strategy development as appropriate.
•    Coordinate briefings, seminars, and informational sessions with partners as well as support partners’ traditional and social media outreach as appropriate.

 

Internal Coordination and Administration (20%)
•    Interface with Earthjustice regional offices and programs to support and inform their work relating to state policy.
•    Collaborate with Earthjustice lawyers and researchers on advocacy for state priority goals, including participating in internal working groups on relevant work.
•    Engage with State Legislative Director and federal Policy and Legislation (PAL) staff on issues that involve intersections between state and federal policy.
•    Ensure State Legislative Director and other PAL lobbyists are aware of work you are doing that may impact them, to prevent conflicts, for coordination, etc.
•    Coordinate with program teams on shared legislation or cross-cutting issues.
•    Participate and contribute in strategy meetings regarding possible or pending litigation bound to impact advocacy efforts on covered issues.
•    Contribute to Earthjustice’s Community, Justice and Impact work through involvement in trainings and internal working groups.
•    Ensure timely submission of attendance, time accounting and reimbursement requests.

 

Qualifications
•    Bachelor’s degree required.
•    Relevant advanced degree preferred.
•    Preferred: Minimum five years’ experience in legislative service, lobbying, and/or government relations in assigned state.
•    Knowledge of assigned state’s legislature, legislative process, and state political landscape.
•    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. 
•    Able to embrace a supportive, team-centered, inclusive approach to the work. 
•    Entrepreneurial spirit with proven ability to work independently and proactively.
•    Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects and deadlines.
•    Detail oriented and good organizational skills.
•    Excellent writing and oral communications skills, including experience in working with traditional and social media.
•    Proven ability to work in coalitions and with allies.
•    Experience in working with traditional and social media.
•    Proven ability to work independently and proactively.

 

 

 

 

To Apply:
Applicants should apply via Jobvite and include the following:
•    Resume
•    Cover letter

 

Preference will be given to candidates who apply by November 7, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.