$103,300 is minimum for an applicant at the minimum experience level. The salary range is flexible to match compensation requirements for more experienced applicants.
Additional Information:
Telecommuting is allowed.
The Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) is currently accepting applications for a Staff Attorney in our Charleston, South Carolina office.
The Staff Attorney will join SELC’s Energy Program, focusing on regulatory proceedings before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina and energy policy advocacy throughout the state. This position is open to attorneys with at least 3 years of relevant experience and has a three-year term. This is an excellent opportunity to join a highly successful, nationally recognized organization that is effectively addressing some of the most pressing and challenging environmental issues throughout the South and the nation.
All SELC attorneys are entrusted with substantial responsibility and contribute to the success of our litigation and other legal advocacy. Depending on experience level, this attorney may have a high level of independence or may work under the supervision of more experienced attorneys.
The term for this position is three years, with the potential for an additional three-year term. SELC has a hybrid work model that offers employees the flexibility to work remotely up to two days per week. This is a full-time, exempt position and all employees must reside in our region. Relocation reimbursement is available to those relocating for the position.
Primary Responsibilities:
We are seeking a talented, multi-faceted lawyer to join SELC’s Energy team in the following areas of work:
Representing clients and partners before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels and to accelerate the transition to greater use of renewables, efficiency, and battery storage.
Engaging in legislative efforts and initiatives that impact the Public Service Commission and energy policy in South Carolina.
Coordinating with partners and clients to identify litigation and other opportunities to leverage regulatory work to promote clean energy and energy efficiency in South Carolina.
Collaborating with and cultivating strong relationships with clients, partners, and other stakeholders.
Providing diligent and professional support to assigned matters, producing high quality work product, and working independently to implement program and office work plans.
Communicating regularly with supervisors and colleagues about the status of projects, while demonstrating excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities.
Taking on progressively more substantial responsibility and actively seeking out experience across SELC’s range of advocacy tools.
Required Qualifications:
Strong academic background and a commitment to SELC’s mission.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant legal experience in energy policy and utility regulation.
Excellent interpersonal skills and an ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse set of clients and partners.
A strong work ethic and sense of initiative, with demonstrated ability to meet internal and external deadlines while supporting SELC’s collegial and collaborative approach in all interactions.
Commitment to working with communities of color and other vulnerable communities.
Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate technical and legal issues into plain language.
A genuine interest in and commitment to helping SELC create and foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. You engage in ongoing personal learning and are eager to contribute to our organizational efforts in this area.
Desired Qualifications:
Ideal candidates will have experience in some or all of the following areas:
Appearances before the Public Service Commission of South Carolina or other public utility commissions in electric utility dockets regarding integrated resource planning, siting certifications, avoided costs, demand-side management, fuel cost recovery, competitive procurement, electric transportation, and rate applications.
Preparing for and conducting cross-examinations of utility and intervenor witnesses in regulatory proceedings.
Experience collaborating with energy experts to develop case strategies and alternative resource portfolios, refine pre-filed testimony, and prepare live testimony.
Legislative experience including drafting legislation, developing messaging, and opposing harmful bills.
Familiarity with the Inflation Reduction Act implementation and energy legislation.
Familiarity with state, investor-owned, and cooperative electrical utilities in South Carolina.
About SELC:
The Southern Environmental Law Center is one of the nation’s most powerful defenders of the environment, rooted in the South. With a long track record, SELC takes on the toughest environmental challenges in court, in government, and in our communities to protect our region’s air, water, climate, wildlife, lands, and people. Nonprofit and nonpartisan, the organization has a staff of over 200, including more than 130 legal and policy experts, and is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA, with offices in Asheville, Atlanta, Birmingham, Chapel Hill, Charleston, Nashville, Richmond, and Washington, DC.
At our core, we are place-based, rooted in our region, and connected with the communities and clients we serve. We believe in an equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of our region and allows diverse perspectives to come to the forefront. We approach our work with the highest level of integrity, holding ourselves to high standards with an emphasis on honesty, accountability, and thoughtfulness. We value collaboration and camaraderie, realizing we are strongest when we work together and knowing that everyone has a critical role to play. We strive for impact through a strategic, bold, pragmatic, and ambitious outlook that is dedicated to achieving powerful results. We believe in these values and in the power of SELC. We hope you consider joining us. Learn more at https://www.southernenvironment.org/.
Compensation & Benefits:
SELC offers salaries competitive with other leading environmental nonprofits nationally and provides an excellent benefits package. For applicants meeting the minimum requirements, the salary range starts at $103,300. For more details about our benefits package, please visit our Careers page.
This position is open to attorneys of any experience level, with the expectation that salary and work plan will match the candidate’s experience level. Attorneys must be licensed in the state in which they are practicing. SELC will reimburse the cost of the bar exam plus a reasonable amount for bar exam related costs, including a prep course and study materials.
SELC will also provide relocation reimbursement for those relocating for an SELC position, up to a specific dollar amount and contingent on the move being at least 50 miles from the current primary address.?
To Apply:
To apply, click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below to be directed to an online application where you may upload your application materials. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and a writing sample. The initial deadline for receipt of complete applications is 11/15/2024. However, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
SELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace environment. We are eager to welcome new team members who share this commitment. We still have much progress to make, but our goal is to create and maintain a staff that, at every level, reflects the rich racial and cultural diversity of the communities where we work and the clients that we serve. Persons of all backgrounds—including people of color, women, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ candidates—are strongly encouraged to apply.
We are the Southern Environmental Law Center — the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental legal advocacy organization rooted in and focused on the South.
As lawyers, policy and issue experts, and community advocates and partners, we take on the toughest challenges to protect our air, water, land, wildlife, and the people who live here. And we win.
Transforming our region away from fossil fuel to clean energy, righting environmental injustice, stopping pollution, and protecting nature—When we solve these issues here, we lead the way for others.