Earthjustice

Director of Enforcement

Washington, DC, US

In-personFull time roleSenior Level, Director / Executive

About 1 month ago

About the Job

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.

For fifty years, Earthjustice has served as the legal backbone of the environmental movement. Our $165M annual budget supports over 580 staff in sixteen offices, including over 200 litigators, as well as lobbyists, scientists, and communications professionals. Together, we have achieved a distinguished record of advocacy successes in our core issue areas: protecting lands, waters, and the web of life; defending community health and addressing environmental injustice; transitioning our economy to 100% clean energy; and defending the power of our environmental laws and the integrity of our judicial system.

Earthjustice’s advocacy success stems in large part from our broad network of relationships with clients and partner groups. We have represented over 1000 different communities, tribal organizations, and NGOs in lobbying and litigation efforts, and have helped elevate the voices of communities and groups that have not historically been included in the mainstream environmental movement.

Earthjustice seeks a Director of Enforcement Litigation. This Director will support and grow our docket of legal advocacy and litigation to protect communities by ensuring that private entities comply with environmental laws. This Director will also work with Earthjustice leadership, communications, and lobbying staff to develop strategies for invigorating government environmental enforcement.

The Director will focus initially on (1) supporting case teams currently litigating enforcement matters, and (2) working with other Earthjustice leaders to develop a longer-term strategy for advancing our mission through enforcement and enforcement-related campaigns. We anticipate that the Director will hire additional experienced attorneys to help Earthjustice’s litigation teams carry out that strategy.

The Director will report to Earthjustice’s Senior Vice President for Programs and will be expected to work a hybrid in-office schedule based in Washington D.C. or one of Earthjustice’s sixteen offices.

Responsibilities

Enforcement program leadership and strategy (40%)

Develop and supervise Earthjustice’s strategies for ensuring that private entities comply with federal and state environmental laws. This will include lobbying and communications strategies.
Collaborate with Earthjustice’s Vice-Presidents and other litigation leaders in guiding the organization’s broader advocacy strategies.
Other duties as necessary.

Litigation support and training (35%)

Advise and support litigation teams that are litigating enforcement matters. This may include serving as lead counsel where necessary.
Train Earthjustice staff in enforcement strategies and litigation tactics.

Staff management (15%)

While the Director will not initially supervise staff, we anticipate that their responsibilities will expand to include supervising additional attorneys or professional staff as resources become available.

Recruit talented staff, provide the coaching and feedback they need to succeed, and the management structures and processes the team needs to achieve its potential.
Build a learning culture and foster a positive, respectful, fun, and inclusive work environment.

External engagement, including policy advocacy, board relations, and fundraising (10%)

Interface with other federal and state governments boards and other leadership bodies of critical advocacy coalitions, e.g. the Partnership Project Board.
Represent Earthjustice in discussions with the Department of Justice, federal agencies, and state and local governments regarding enforcement strategy and priorities.
With the support of Earthjustice’s communications team, engage journalists and thought leaders to advance our environmental enforcement and broader mission goals.
Communicate with Earthjustice’s board, including through regular reporting on program work and working with specific board members who have relevant expertise.
Work with Earthjustice’s Development staff to support fundraising efforts. This will include developing written proposals and communicating directly with funders.

Qualifications

A minimum of 10 years of experience with federal environmental enforcement litigation. This must include experience developing matters, serving as lead counsel in matters, and personally litigating trial proceedings.
A minimum of 5 years of management experience.
A record of success in developing enforcement campaigns that deliver results beyond the context of individual matters.
A network of professional relationships that can help Earthjustice achieve its goals.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent management skills, including the ability to coach and mentor staff, provide effective feedback, delegate responsibility, lead change in a large organization.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain coalitions and partnerships, understand and influence stakeholders, and motivate and inspire co-workers.
Excellent emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and cultural humility.
Comfort with communicating with and through the media and supporters.
Willingness to travel and work evenings, weekends and/or holidays as operations demand.
A positive attitude, a sense of humor and a willingness to have fun.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer a congenial, flexible, hybrid work environment and a casual dress code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Salaries at Earthjustice are determined by experience level and working location.

Salary range in San Francisco, CA and New York, NY: $239,700-$266,300
Salary range in Sacramento, CA; Massachusetts; Washington, D.C.; Chicago, IL; Seattle, WA; Los Angeles, CA; and Honolulu, HI: $227,700- $253,000
Salary range in Juneau, AK; Anchorage, AK; Denver, CO; and Philadelphia, PA: $215,700 - $239,700
Salary range in Miami, FL; Austin, TX; Tallahassee, FL; Maine; Albany, NY; Bozeman, MT, and New Orleans, LA: $203,800-$226,400

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit via Jobvite:

Resume
Cover letter addressing at least the following:

The reasons why you are interested in serving as our Director of Enforcement,
Your experience leading enforcement cases and campaigns,
Your experience managing people and creating welcoming and effective teams, and
Your experience working with and addressing the concerns of frontline communities.

Three professional references
A list of representative enforcement matters you have litigated or managed. You may refer to parties in descriptive or anonymized terms to maintain confidentiality.

Preference will be given to internal candidates who apply by May 4, 2025. After that, applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Preference for candidates willing and able to work in our Washington DC office, but consideration will be given to other Earthjustice locations. Must be willing to travel as needed.

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, 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.

#LI-hybrid

About the Company

Earthjustice

San Francisco, CA, USA

251-500

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 guided by a passionate, ambitious vision for the future for people and our planet: until justice stands for all, we will never rest. 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, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.

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