The Staff Attorney applies legal and policy expertise to advance CRWA’s environmental policy priorities, with the goal of improving environmental outcomes across the Charles River watershed and beyond. The Staff Attorney represents CRWA in administrative processes and legal proceedings at the local, state, and federal levels to advance CRWA’s mission of preserving, restoring, and enhancing the Charles River and its watershed. This is an exciting opportunity to serve as CRWA’s legal expert on a wide range of issues affecting the river and watershed—interacting with federal and state environmental regulators; weighing in on projects, permits, and other administrative decisions; and bringing litigation to enforce environmental laws. The Staff Attorney is a critical member of CRWA’s interdisciplinary team as legal advocacy efforts are directly informed by our science and data-based programmatic work, necessitating close coordination between these areas of the organization. The Staff Attorney reports to CRWA’s General Counsel and works closely with staff throughout the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Set and implement CRWA’s legal advocacy priorities in coordination with the General Counsel, Executive Director, and program staff

• Develop and advocate for CRWA’s positions in public, administrative, and judicial forums

• Devise and execute legal strategies to further CRWA’s advocacy priorities

• Conduct litigation and administrative appeals

• Review and comment on projects, permits, regulations, and policy initiatives affecting the Charles River and its watershed

• Ensure that CRWA’s legal advocacy work effectively integrates climate equity and environmental justice

• Provide legal advice and support for CRWA programs

• Engage and work in close coordination with traditional and nontraditional allies, build and support coalitions, and serve on task forces and other advisory bodies

• Conduct work in accordance with CRWA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives

• Recruit and manage legal interns

• Support and coordinate CRWA’s pro bono and external legal contacts

• Advise and assist CRWA’s communications and development teams in communicating about CRWA’s legal advocacy efforts to the press, our members and supporters, and the public

• Provide support on additional projects and organizational needs as necessary

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

At CRWA, we recognize that someone may excel in this role even if they don’t have every attribute listed below. We also recognize that the skills needed in this position may be gained from a variety of personal, educational, employment, and volunteer experiences. We take all of this into account when reviewing applications and if you think you’d be a great fit for this role, we encourage you to apply!

To be successful in this role, a candidate will need legal experience (2+ years) in one or more of the following: litigation, administrative law, and/or policy.

Experience/familiarity with many or all of the following is preferred:

• Environmental laws and regulations

• Issues related to clean water, climate resilience, and environmental protection

• Administrative processes of state and federal agencies, such as permitting, rulemaking, and other decision-making

• State and federal court proceedings and proceedings before administrative appeal bodies

Other attributes and experiences (paid or volunteer) of a successful candidate include:

• Experience managing your own caseload/portfolio of work

• Effective communication and advocacy skills (experience communicating with regulators and elected/appointed officials is a plus)

• Strong legal research and writing skills

• Excellent judgment and analytical skills

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, and recommend strategic approaches

• Willingness to partner with and support staff across the organization

• Demonstrated high level of professionalism

• Commitment to CRWA’s mission

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google GSuite

• Able to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed

CRWA strives to attract and retain staff from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and

respected. If you need accommodation(s) to make the interview process more accessible, please let us know by emailing hiring@crwa.org.

CRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, protected veteran status, disability, pregnancy (which includes pregnancy, childbirth, medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, and breastfeeding), genetic information, or other bases protected by law.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. CRWA is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

WHAT WE OFFER

This is a full-time position based in Boston. Starting salary for this position is $75,000-80,000 annually for candidates with 2+ years of experience; starting salary may be adjusted accordingly for candidates with substantially more experience. CRWA-sponsored benefits include generous paid time off, employer contributions to health insurance premiums and retirement plan, paid family and medical leave, Employee Assistance Program, and professional development opportunities. CRWA’s office operates on a hybrid remote/in-person schedule (3 days per week in the Boston office); fully remote candidates will not be considered for this role.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

CRWA is committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our organization and in our external relationships. 

Internally, CRWA seeks to embed these principles in staff hiring, professional development, and retention practices as well as in Board recruitment, onboarding, and governance. CRWA strives to attract and retain staff and Board members from a wide range of backgrounds, expertise, and perspectives and to foster a culture of belonging in which all feel valued and respected.

Externally, we are engaged in outreach and relationship development to connect with a broader set of constituents in the watershed, including people and communities that have historically been marginalized. CRWA acknowledges the historic disinvestment and past harm in some watershed communities and is committed to advocating for equitable investments in climate resilience and river health. 

CRWA condemns racism, sexism, bigotry, and discrimination in any form.