Federal Regulatory Director

The Southern Environmental Law Center is seeking a Federal Regulatory Director with at least eight years of experience to join its Government Relations team in Washington, D.C. This is an excellent opportunity to join an organization that is successfully addressing some of the most important and challenging environmental issues facing the Southeast and the nation.

About SELC:

With nine offices across the region (Charlottesville, VA; Chapel Hill, NC; Atlanta, GA; Charleston, SC; Washington, DC; Birmingham, AL; Nashville, TN; Asheville, NC; and Richmond, VA), SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast’s foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect the South’s natural resources and the health and well-being of its people.  Although its regional focus is the Southeast, much of its work is national in scope and impact.

SELC works in Congress and state legislatures to inform environmental laws; in regulatory agencies to implement environmental laws and policies; and in the courts to enforce the law, stop the worst abuses, and set important precedents.  The organization works collaboratively with more than 100 national, state, and local groups to enhance their efficacy and achieve common conservation goals. It currently has a staff of 160, with over 80 attorneys, including some of the nation’s leading experts in their respective fields.  Additional information is available at www.southernenvironment.org.

SELC believes that a broad range of ideas, life experiences, and backgrounds enriches our workplace, drives innovative thinking, and attracts highly talented people who seek a work environment that values the unique contributions of individual team members. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this belief. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflect the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to fostering a transparently inclusive workplace environment. We are looking for people to join us in this effort. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Position:

SELC’s government relations team works with Congress and federal agencies to advocate for laws and policies that enhance environmental protection and quality of life in the Southeast.  The Federal Regulatory Director will help SELC apply its deep bench of issue expertise to advance federal environmental policy, focusing on issues SELC is in the best position to influence.  The Federal Regulatory Director reports to the Director of Federal Affairs, and is closely connected with attorneys in offices across SELC’s region.

This new position will develop and execute strategies to advance SELC’s mission in the Executive Branch.   SELC’s advocacy with federal agencies blends substantive legal expertise, direct advocacy with agency staff, and grassroots outreach to achieve SELC’s policy objectives.  Using contacts at agencies and in the advocacy community, the Federal Regulatory Director will help SELC navigate a crowded field of environmental advocates and ensure that SELC’s unique voice and perspective is heard, while helping to create similar opportunities for SELC’s partners and impacted communities.

Start date as soon as possible.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position is $90,000-110,000, commensurate with experience, and a strong benefits package. 

Qualifications:

We are seeking a highly motivated individual with at least eight years of experience in federal regulatory decision-making, and a strong work ethic and sense of initiative. Competitive applicants will have existing networks of contacts with federal agencies and the skills to further develop them.  Broad contacts in the environmental and conservation community are also an advantage.  Candidates must have a personal commitment to protecting the environment and our natural resources, preferably in the South.  Significant experience in the regulatory process at an agency or in the advocacy community is required, as is a JD.  The successful applicant will have excellent academic credentials, strong writing, communication and interpersonal skills, a demonstrated ability to work well in a collegial setting, and a strong personal commitment to SELC’s mission. 

To Apply:

If you have these qualifications and are seeking a challenging and rewarding environmental advocacy position, please send your letter of interest, resume, and at least three references to Nat Mund, Director of Federal Affairs, Southern Environmental Law Center, 122 C St. NW, Suite 390, Washington, DC, 20001, or e-mail dcjobs@selcdc.org. 

SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and strongly encourages applications from persons of all backgrounds.