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EPA Policy Specialist

Employer
Center for Biological Diversity
Location
Washington D.C.
Salary
$60,000 to $70,000
Closing date
Jun 4, 2021

View more

Focus Areas
Environment
Job Function
Conservation, Legal
Position Type
Full Time
Degree Level
Bachelors
Willingness to Travel
up to 25%

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of imperiled plants, animals and wild places, seeks a dynamic individual to promote a strong Environmental Protection Agency and the full implementation and enforcement of our core pollution control laws. 

General position overview: We seek an energetic and creative advocate with strong analytic, oral and written communication skills to push the EPA to comply with the Endangered Species Act, and to put human health and the environment above the interests of polluters when carrying out their duties under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act; Clean Water Act; the Clean Air Act;, and other pollution-focused laws. The policy specialist will draft, analyze and respond to congressional legislation; budget proposals; formal petitions; and administrative actions that would weaken safeguards designed to protect the environment. 

In particular, the position will focus on pesticides, factory farming, air and water pollution, and actions to reduce their impacts to human health, particularly environmental justice communities; endangered species; and the environment.  The policy specialist will engage in coalition work, high level campaigning, and communicating the Center’s position on pollution related matters to the media and public through press releases, op-eds, fact sheets and briefing documents. This position will play an important role in elevating the Center’s work to effectively implement our nation’s core environmental laws.

Primary duties:

  • Track and analyze legislative attacks seeking to weaken safeguards under pollution-control laws and the Environmental Protection Agency, with a particular emphasis on the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act and FIFRA. 
  • Lobby Congress to strengthen the EPA and reform pollution-control laws to better address pollution and environmental justice concerns. 
  • Develop rapid response press releases, reports, and other materials to educate the public on policies to better protect human health, ensure environmental justice and conserve endangered species.
  • Engage the public through action alerts and other tools to ensure that political leaders hear constituent voices in support of the EPA and a healthy environment.
  • Conduct oversight and watchdog activities of the EPA and Biden administration generally, including through use of the Freedom of Information Act.
  • Engage environmental justice groups, religious organizations, and other non-traditional allies to help strengthen our pollution control laws.
  • Assist with organizing people for congressional hearings and events in Washington DC to defend key environmental priorities.

Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:

  • Advanced degree required, law degree preferred.
  • 1-4 years of demonstrated experience preferred.
  • Knowledge of pollution-control laws that are administered by the EPA required.  General knowledge of conservation and environmental laws, including Endangered Species Act and other environmental laws preferred.
  • Some knowledge or understanding of pesticide issues, water pollution and air pollution strongly preferred.
  • Understanding of and commitment to environmental justice issues required, experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection and public interest work.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, and analytic abilities required. Ability to be a self-started and identify additional areas of engagement strongly preferred.
  • Experience lobbying at the federal or state level preferred.
  • A passion for and knowledge of the natural world, biodiversity, wildlife and waters preferred.
  • Ability to work as part of a team, and to coordinate closely with attorneys and scientists required.
  • Good sense of humor in the face of jugging competing priorities a plus.

Benefits Package

  • Paid generous medical, dental and vision plan.
  • Paid STD and LTD.
  • 403(b) plan with opportunity for match.
  • Generous time off policies.
  • Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

Application process:

Please apply online by submitting a cover letter, resume, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

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