• Public Health Law Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, veteran/military status, disability or handicap, age, sexual orientation, status with regard to public assistance, or any other protected class status. Members of marginalized and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

     

    Director of Climate Justice

    The Public Health Law Center (the "Center"), a dynamic, public interest affiliate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking to hire a Program Director who has a passion for working for the social good and who share our commitment to advancing racial and social justice, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic oppression. We are looking for a candidate with a demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

    The prospective employee will lead the Center's climate policy project pursuing a healthy built environment for all. We seek to advance health and climate equity by strengthening laws and policies relating to building decarbonization, particularly for disenfranchised and marginalized populations. Our current climate justice work aims to attain greater protections for residents assisted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by raising awareness of the causes of indoor air pollution and by connecting housing providers and residents to financial resources available to support energy efficiency improvements and climate change resilience. The climate policy attorneys also provide legal technical assistance in support of efforts to enact local laws to decarbonize buildings and move away from the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels indoors.

    Responsibilities:

    • Assist the Program Director in meeting the performance objectives of the Center.

    • Conceive and develop new initiatives and lead efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, which is funded through charitable grants and contracts.

    • Build and maintain relationships of trust and partnership with funders, partners, and allies, and with helping to influence the agenda of the national climate justice movement.

    • Supervise a team of experienced attorneys and policy analysts, as well as law students and graduate students; and manages staffing and workloads to ensure timely, high-quality work on multiple complicated grants and contracts.

    • Provide some direct legal technical assistance to Tribal public health advocates, community groups, and to state and local health officials, government attorneys, and other public health advocates working to advance public health and health equity through law and policy.

    • Work with constituency groups to deliver meaningful services and support, including participation on task forces and work groups, speaking engagements, and training on public health law and policy issues.

    • Research, analyze, write, and present reports, articles, sample policies, and other written materials under the direction of the Program Director.

    • Assist with project development and reporting requirements, including preparation of budgets, narratives, and work-plans for grant proposals and periodic reports to funders.

    • Occasional travel.

    Required Qualifications:

    • Juris Doctorate degree.
    • Active license to practice law in Minnesota, or any other state or Tribe within the United States. Must be in good standing with the applicable licensing authority.
    • At least 7 years of relevant work experience.
    • Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity.
    • Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
    • Strong interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to explain complex issues or ideas using language appropriate to audiences of specialists or non-specialists.
    • Great public speaking/presentation skills, including the ability to articulate mission and purpose of work to funders and other audiences.
    • Excellent legal research and writing skills.
    • Experience in developing written legal and policy educational materials for varied audiences and educational levels.
    • Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

    Preferred Qualifications:

    • At least 5 years of management experience.

    • Experience working with climate or energy law, housing law, state/local preemption, or building codes.

    • Experience securing funding through grant proposals and contracts.

    • Experience in drafting, implementing, or enforcing local, state, federal, or Tribal laws.

    • Experience working with other attorneys, policy analysts, or public health professionals.

    Employee Benefits:

    We provide a comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include:

    • Fully Remote/Telework
    • Health Insurance, including Dental and Vision
    • Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
    • Basic Life Insurance (at no cost to employee)
    • Supplemental Life Insurance
    • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
    • Training and Professional Development
    • 403(b) Retirement Benefits with Employer's Matching Option
    • Tuition Assistance Programs
    • Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
    • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
    • Generous Holidays and Winter Break

    How to Apply:

    Applications submitted on or before Friday, December 1, 2023 will receive strongest consideration. To be considered for this position, please submit the following application documentation:

    • Resume
    • Cover Letter, including salary requirements
    • Writing sample demonstrating legal analysis

     

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