Staff Scientist

Policy and Legislation Washington, District Of Columbia Remote, United States

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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 to engage on 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, Seattle, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Houston, Denver, Bozeman, Chicago, Tallahassee, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.     
 
The Staff Scientist will leverage deep scientific and research expertise to develop the scientific and factual basis for our advocacy and support our programmatic focus on clean energy, clean transportation, circular economy and battery sustainability.  This role specifically focuses on policy analysis pertaining to federal legislation and agency dockets.
 
This position sits within the Policy and Legislation program and reports to the Legislative Director, Climate and Energy.
 
Priority will be given to applicants who are interested in working hybrid from the Washington, DC office. However, we will consider remote applicants within the US. 
 
Responsibilities
  • Evaluates:
    • the scientific and technical bases for potential new advocacy efforts, developing research strategies
    • studies and scientific materials for rigor and soundness of scientific methodology (including statistical analysis) 
    • consistency of inputs, analysis and underlying assumptions of scientific materials with accepted methodologic approaches and epistemological principles
  • Reviews, analyzes, summarizes, and provides input and feedback on advocacy related documents and information, as well as on legislative and agency documents including bills and rulemakings as well as more general environmental planning documents, technical support documents, and scientific studies to support advocacy strategies 
  • Drafts:
    • formal requests to agencies for public records;
    • or assists colleagues, experts, clients, or partners to prepare and present, declarations, testimony, and scientific and technical portions of pleadings;
    • scientific and technical information in fact sheets, press releases, blogs, news articles, slides, reports, and other materials for internal use or external use with clients, coalitions, the media, and others
  • Builds scientific and technical records on rulemakings that may be subject to Earthjustice advocacy, including drafting comment letters
  • Conducts detailed scientific and technical research and quantitative data analyses
  • Contributes to and participates in strategic planning and internal team-building and coordination efforts
  • Identifies, collaborates, develops, and manages relationships with individuals and organizations in the scientific and academic communities and academic communities and with relevant government personnel and decision-makers
  • Assists operations team with coordination and maintenance of key research databases and scientific resource needs
  • Conducts outreach or engages with potential and existing client or partner groups, including from diverse and/or under-served communities
  • Collaborates both internally and externally on science communication
  • May testify on proposed legislation
  • May sign or cosign advocacy comments or other non-litigation documents in consultation with relevant program staff
  • May present at scientific and academic conferences and meetings, and in university courses
  • May conduct internal trainings on scientific and technical issues relevant to Earthjustice issues, e.g., quantitative risk assessment
  • May engage in original research and writing for publication in scientific journals
  • May supervise one or more science fellows or interns
Qualifications
  • Requires a Master’s degree or Ph.D, or the equivalent level of primary research and analytic experience
  • 3+ years of experience conducting scientific research and analysis
  • Has significant level and depth of knowledge on specific subject area(s)
  • Exceptional scientific ability and capacity for penetrating critical analysis of primary research and other scientific data and materials
  • Deep technical expertise in analytical and quantitative methods relevant to subject matter area
  • Strong statistical analysis abilities
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. 
 
Compensation is based on experience and location.           
   
Salary range in Washington, DC: $103,300 - $114,800
Salary range in other US cities: $92,400-$120,800     
     
To Apply:      
Interested candidates should submit the following online via the Jobvite system:     
  • Resume    
  • Cover letter   

Information about our hiring process and tips for success can be found at https://earthjustice.org/about/jobs/hiring-process. Please reach out to [email protected] if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies. Earthjustice only considers applications submitted for current openings via Jobvite. Unsolicited resumes or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via Jobvite will not be reviewed or retained.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position.

For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.         
        
For positions located within the City of Los Angeles: We will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.  

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