Executive Assistant

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

We are looking for a multi-talented go-getter with excellent organization and communications skills, interpersonal talents, and judgment to provide a broad range of support to Earthjustice’s Senior Vice President of Program (SVP), Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy (VP), and Senior Program Leadership Team Manager (Senior PLT Manager).

This person will work in the engine room of Earthjustice’s mission; together, these executives manage a $90M budget, supervise a team of over 220 attorneys, and develop the advocacy strategies for our roughly 600-person organization. Supporting us will include planning and supporting meetings and events, managing the VP and SVP’s complex schedules and travel arrangements, and making sure our teams are on track to complete important projects. You will also be our partner in handling the innumerable other kinds of issues that arise as we guide the organization towards success.

Your work may include developing written materials, presentations, and materials for social media. That means you should be able to do basic research, write well, and make visually appealing slides and fact sheets. You will also need to manage financial information and project metrics by using systems as simple as a whiteboard or as complex as our case tracking database. We are looking for a candidate who is entrepreneurial, a problem solver, and willing to improve systems when they aren't working or help develop new ones.

This role operates in a fast-paced environment, you’ll need to be able to take initiative, work independently, and help push the team to meet the deadlines we set for ourselves. You will also be privy to confidential financial and personnel information, which means you will need to have excellent discretion.

Last, you will need to build a strong network within Earthjustice and with our partners and allies. You will work with people ranging from interns to CEOs, and from reporters to scientists. The ideal candidate will bring a balance of patience and passion for our mission; this is a challenging time and our work is hard.

You will report to the Senior Program Leadership Team Manager and will be expected to work from the Washington, D.C. office at least three days a week (likely Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday). We will also expect you to work from the office on additional days and evenings from time to time, as needed and with advance notice. 

Responsibilities

Executive Administration and Support (60%): 

• Manage the calendars and competing time demands of the SVP of Program and VP of Litigation for Climate & Energy.

• Arrange travel and manage travel expenses.

• Work with the Senior PLT Manager to manage our budget by tracking budget requests, preparing material for fundraising proposals, and forecasting and monitoring expenses.

• Support recruiting efforts by tracking and screening applications, scheduling interviews, and onboarding new employees.

• Review and approve timekeeping and expense reports for senior litigation staff.

• Provide backup administrative support for other staff as necessary.

• Other duties, as assigned.

Project Support and Internal Communications (25%): 

• Manage workload, workflow, and information sharing, including through the use of project management software.

• Assist the Senior PLT Manager with data management, including through data collection, review, and entry, and information system management.

• Organize internal events, presentations, and written communications to keep staff aware of programmatic initiatives and developments. This includes gathering and editing content provided by frontline litigators and lobbyists.

• Manage and complete special projects, including research and planning.

• Manage internal websites to keep them useful, engaging, and up to date.

• Help other staff figure out how to get things done.

• Other duties, as assigned.

Meeting & Event Planning and Support (15%): 

• Partner with the Senior PLT Manager and other staff to organize meetings and events, including logistics, travel arrangements, and expenses.

• Support meetings as needed, including by developing and distributing materials and supplies, organizing catering, taking notes, and tracking action items.

• Strengthen our culture by organizing teambuilding meals and events.

• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or relevant experience and qualifications, such as Certified Administrative Professional® (CAP®), Professional Administrative Certificate of Excellence® (PACE®), Certified Executive Administrative Professional® (CEAP®).

• At least two years of relevant experience that includes experience working directly with executives, and scheduling and handling sensitive information.

• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Strong technology skills, experience with Microsoft’s Office suite, and aptitude for learning to use other software tools.

• Research and writing skills, including excellent copy-editing skills.

• Ability to handle multiple complex requests without direct supervision.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with database management.

• Experience planning and hosting events.

• Experience with graphic design.

• Experience in a legal or nonprofit work setting.

• Experience with new technology tools, such as generative artificial intelligence.

Physical Demands: 

Ability to work in front of a computer screen and/or perform typing for approximately 100% of a typical working day. Skill in operating various office equipment. Ability to perform routine bending, stooping, twisting, and reaching. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent, comprehensive benefits. We also offer a casual and congenial work environment.  

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

Salary range for Washington, D.C.: $91,700 - $101,900

To Apply

Interested candidates should submit the following materials via Jobvite. Preference will be given to candidates who apply by May 12, 2025 after which applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the role is filled:                                   

• Resume

• Cover letter explaining qualifications and interest in working at Earthjustice

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 only accepts resumes submitted for positions that are currently open. Unsolicited resumes, or resumes for posted positions that are not submitted via the online application process (where available), will not be reviewed or retained.  

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 provided with 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.