POSITION TITLE: Staff Attorney, Fossil Economy (2-year contract)

PROGRAM: Fossil Economy

SUPERVISOR: Fossil Economy Legal & Research Manager 

LOCATION: Remote (some countries and US states excluded)

SALARY RANGE: $75,000 - $88,000/year depending on experience

Application Timeline: Priority applications will be reviewed on February 11, and the position will close once a strong pool is identified

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION:

Petrochemical production (ranging from plastics to agrochemicals, and their chemical precursors) has become the fossil fuel industry’s lifeline to buoy demand for its products and sustain its profits. Together with the program’s leadership and other relevant staff at CIEL, the Attorney will drive our work to confront the expansion of the petrochemicals sector and curtail the proliferation of false climate solutions that threaten to extend and deepen our fossil fuel dependence at a moment of converging planetary crises. With a primary focus on the US and Europe, this position will 1) research and develop internal understandings of various regulatory regimes – national (US and European) and international – governing or relevant to the fossil fuel, carbon capture and petrochemicals sectors; 2) develop and support high-impact strategies for legal and campaign approaches for engaging with such regulatory systems; and 3) lead on interventions such as permit challenges, administrative comments, or other administrative or legal filings. 

This is a two-year contract; continuation is dependent on available grant funding. This position is included in the CIEL staff unit of the Washington Baltimore News Guild union if located in the United States or Switzerland.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Legal Strategy: (60%)

• Develop and apply analyses of relevant regulatory frameworks (including environmental, financial, trade, etc.) to contribute to CIEL and movement strategies for confronting petrochemical pollution and false solutions. 
• Draft legal documents for permit challenges, administrative proceedings, regulatory notice-and-comment periods, and other relevant processes. 
• Represent CIEL in coalitions, public meetings, workshops, hearings, press, and other instances as assigned
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with relevant partner organizations, and other actors/stakeholders to achieve CIEL’s project-related goals

Coalitions and Advocacy: (30%)

• Propose, draft, and edit reports, briefings, fact sheets, and other written materials as required to convey research and analysis to movement partners and media as appropriate. 
• Maintain existing and build new relationships with coalition partners in plastics, climate, agriculture, and other movements. 
• Balance long-term projects with rapid response research and analysis as necessary to respond to partner demands, press inquiries, and breaking news. 

Administration (10%)

• Support fundraising efforts, such as contributing to proposals and reports, as relevant.
• Maintain timesheets and track receipts, and submit them on time.
• Meet periodically as requested with supervisor and other team members
• Participate in weekly staff and team meetings and other organizational activities, including an annual staff performance evaluation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. or equivalent degree with 2 years of relevant experience in a legal role.
• Ability to write clearly and concisely, and in accordance with standards for legal submissions.
• Knowledge of US law and familiarity with EU legal systems, and the ability to quickly navigate new legal and regulatory frameworks, including in the US, Europe, and at UN or other international fora.

• Demonstrated ability to distill key messages from technical information and translate them to different audiences and on different platforms.
• Ability to oversee and deliver multiple priorities by target dates and perform a wide variety of tasks over the course of the workday.
• Ability to work both separately and collaboratively, in close coordination across teams.
• Comfort admitting what you don’t know and recognizing that seeking and receiving feedback is part of the learning process.
• Awareness of how your words and actions affect others, openness to and respect for others’ perspectives.
• Able to travel occasionally for periods of up to 2 weeks
• Professional spoken and written proficiency in English

Desired Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the fossil fuel and petrochemical sectors in the US and Europe 
• Experience with international, environmental, and/or human rights law or similar fields
• While knowledge of US law is required, formal education in US law (e.g. JD or other degree) is preferred.
• Professional proficiency in a language used in relevant European geographies (including but not limited to French, Spanish, German, and Dutch) 

A successful candidate will demonstrate the following competencies: 

• Action-Oriented: Makes things happen. Takes on new opportunities and tough challenges with a sense of curiosity, proactivity, and constructiveness.
• Nimble Learning: Approaches unfamiliar tasks proactively and with an open mind. Can quickly adapt to new situations and to draw on past successes and failures to solve current problems.  
• Effective Communication: Understands the value of effective communication. Can deliver messages in a clear, compelling, and concise manner. Actively listens, checks for understanding, and adjusts content and style to meet the needs of different stakeholders.  
• Collaborates: Brings people together to leverage their skills, talents, and knowledge to achieve a common purpose. Creates synergy resulting in a combined effort with greater results than what can be achieved by individuals.  
• Resourcefulness: Is able to make the best of limited resources and find a way to get things done even when the odds are against them.  Can look beyond the obvious for viable approaches to accomplish the goal. 

Location note: This position may be based in a variety of locations including:

• In our Washington, DC office or remotely elsewhere in the United States (some jurisdictions excluded) 
• In our Geneva, Switzerland office, or remotely in Switzerland
• Remotely from a non-US, non-Swiss country - due to restrictions, not all countries will be eligible for remote hiring

CIEL is unable to sponsor work visas and requires that applicants have authorization to work in their proposed location.

Working Hours: CIEL works with employees and partners all over the world; however, our main offices are located in US Eastern Time (Washington DC) and Central European Time (Geneva). This position must be able to work US Eastern Time or Central European Time business hours. In terms of working hours, CIEL tries to support staff with life/work balance and working a 40-hour work week. However, there will be occasions when working more is required; in such cases, CIEL may provide compensatory time to use at a later date.

This is a full-time position (overtime exempt in the US). If you are selected for this position and elect to work remotely, you are expected to provide your own space from which to work. CIEL will contribute a one-time stipend of USD $750 for fully remote workers, with an additional USD $250 per year for the purposes of maintaining your remote work space.

CIEL offers a strong benefits package including employer-subsidized health, dental, and vision; paid vacation, sick, and 18 weeks of parental leave; 5% contribution of gross annual salary into a 403(b) retirement account or similar local benefit; a relocation stipend; dedicated professional development funding; and paid sabbatical leave after 7 years. CIEL is a 501(c)3 nonprofit in the US, and full-time employees qualify for the US Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  

Application instructions: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis; the first application review will take place on February 11, 2026. Desired start date: As soon as able. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and any other required materials or responses. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please. Note that CIEL does not sponsor visas of any kind. You must have prior authorization to work in your country of hire in order to be considered for this position.

Anonymous Demographic Survey: Please complete this anonymous demographic survey as part of your application to CIEL. The survey will only be used to help us evaluate our efforts to recruit a diverse pool of candidates. Your answers will not in any way be linked to your application.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with CIEL’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, CIEL requires US candidates to furnish proof of full COVID vaccination status in order to be hired for this position. ​​If you are not eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or vaccination is contraindicated by a licensed medical professional, you must provide documentation verifying this ineligibility or contraindication.

About CIEL: For 30 years, CIEL has used the power of law to protect the environment, promote human rights, and ensure a just and sustainable society. CIEL’s dynamic team of international attorneys and experts work together in a collaborative and supportive work environment to tackle some of the most interesting and challenging issues facing people and the planet. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, actively committed to the principles of multiculturalism and building an organization that is as diverse as the communities we serve around the world. We know that diversity and inclusion make us stronger, and we actively encourage qualified applicants with various backgrounds, identities, perspectives, and (dis)abilities to apply. If you need an accommodation or assistance with this application, please contact Human Resources at jobs[at]ciel.org.