Legal Analyst, Climate and Environment

Legal Analyst, Climate and Environment 

Full-time, term-limited (see details below)

Washington, DC (preferred); remote option available

Why FAS?  
Does FAS sound like an organization that you would be energized to join?  Is it aligned to your values?

The Federation of American Scientists (FAS) takes quite seriously our role as a beacon and voice for the science community.  

FAS has a rich history: after the devastating bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, a group of atomic researchers – deeply concerned about the use of science for malice – created an organization committed to using science and technology to benefit humanity.  

The group they created – the Federation of Atomic Scientists – soon became the Federation of American Scientists in recognition of the hundreds of scientists across diverse disciplines who joined together to speak with one voice for the betterment of the world.  

Today, we are a group of entrepreneurial, intrepid changemakers, forging a better future for all through the nexus of science, technology and talent. We value equity, inclusion, and transparency.  As a collective, we are building an organization focused on being impact-driven, customer-focused, and growth-oriented as a force for good in the world.

Skills And Expertise: Must Haves

What skills do you need to show proficiency (or higher) in order to be a strong candidate?

• At least 5 years of relevant experience (e.g., in law, policy, applied research, consulting, etc.), especially on climate, the administrative state, and/or environmental topics. Please note each year of higher education beyond high school is considered equivalent to one year of professional experience.
• Exemplary writing and editing skills, especially with respect to policy briefs and longer, policy-relevant articles, reports, and whitepapers.
• Strong demonstrated project management skills, including:
  • Ability to break large and complex projects into manageable components and timelines, and to flexibly adjust project plans to changing circumstances.
  • Ability to track and provide quality control for multiple deliverables associated with a single project.
  • Ability to coordinate work energetically, enthusiastically, and successfully across diverse teams.
  • Ability to provide clear direction to project contributors at very different levels of seniority, including informally “managing up” within and outside of FAS.
• Ability to set and track performance metrics, outputs, and outcomes.
• Ability to work independently without close oversight while also contributing as a team player.
• A commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and pursuing it within the mission of FAS.
• Willingness to learn, give, seek and implement feedback.

Nice to Haves (but not requirements):

• Familiarity with core bodies of U.S. environmental law and policy.
• Familiarity with areas of law and policy that are broadly relevant to climate and the transition to a clean economy. Examples include administrative law, state or federal government capacity issues, judicial and congressional reform efforts,  industrial policy, trade law and policy.

To Sum It Up…

What’s the “elevator pitch” for the role?

The Federation of American Scientists is seeking a Legal Analyst, Climate and Environment.

This is a one-year, full-time, fully benefited position. Continuation beyond the initial one-year term is contingent on organizational financial standing and continued funding availability, as well as FAS organizational needs and mutual interest. This role reports to FAS’s Senior Manager, Regulatory Ingenuity, within the Climate and Environment portfolio.

In this role, you will play an integral role in supporting FAS’s new Center for Regulatory Ingenuity (CRI): a new hub that is bringing people together across disciplines and ideologies to develop forward-looking strategies for tackling climate change and other “wicked problems” in ways that are ambitious, durable, and deeply responsive to the lived experiences of Americans. 

As part of this mission, you will work closely with FAS staff and affiliates to activate the public and private American environmental law bars to develop theories and practical ideas that can ground a next generation of delivery-focused policies. Our goal is to develop a legal framework, broadly supported across current ideological divisions, that can rapidly establish a clean technology transition, cut pollution, and rebuild trust in public institutions. We will look for opportunities to convert ideas into law – most likely starting in the states, while staying alive to federal opportunities.

To develop this program, you will also coordinate cohorts of diverse external contributors exploring how to apply and advance the principle of “regulatory ingenuity” – i.e., creativity and cleverness in regulatory design and application – in the context of climate and the environment and government capacity. A small portion of your time will be reserved to work flexibly across FAS’s Climate and Environment portfolio, including consulting on and contributing to projects in the portfolio’s Lands and Waters, Climate and Health, and Tech and Innovation programs.

This is an ideal position for an outstanding and talented self-starter who is transitioning from an early to mid-career stage, and who is excited about bringing fresh perspectives from across the ideological spectrum to shape the future of climate and environmental law and policy. Legal training and/or experience will be helpful for this role, but is not required; however, the successful candidate will be comfortable reading and digesting academic law articles, legal briefs, and other legally relevant text. You should apply for this role if the following responsibilities match your strengths and sound like work that you would love to be doing: 

• Providing direction, oversight, and accountability for a variety of complex, fast-moving projects.
• Working with diverse stakeholders, particularly from the law and policy communities.
• Openly exploring perspectives from across the ideological spectrum, and seeking to uncover underappreciated areas of agreement.
• Reviewing, editing, and contributing to whitepapers – often grounded in legal theory – and applicable to CRI’s overall mission.
• Planning and facilitating high-impact convenings.
• Supporting creative, impactful, and ambitious legal and policy efforts to ensure a more stable climate and sustainable environment, carried out in partnership with the public sector. 
• Researching and writing on diverse topics in climate and environmental policy.

Work Environment 

This position can be accommodated as based in Washington, DC, or fully remote. If located in Washington, DC, presence in person at FAS offices is expected at least 2 days/week. If fully remote, occasional travel to FAS offices and for stakeholder meetings in Washington, DC will be expected. FAS will cover approved travel costs associated with this position.

This position is included in a union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific terms and conditions of employment are subject to collective bargaining.

Salary Range

$100,000 – $110,000

Hiring Statement

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. At FAS we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and developing new voices. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate.

The Federation of American Scientists is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. The Federation of American Scientists  prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.  Employment is contingent on successful verification of eligibility to work in the United States.