Staff Attorney

Save the Sound is seeking a staff attorney to join our Legal Team. If you are passionate about the environment and the Long Island Sound region and would like to defend it before courts, agencies and the legislature – this may be the position for you!

WHO WE ARE:

For over 50 years, Save the Sound has been at the forefront of environmental action throughout the Long Island Sound watershed in Connecticut, Westchester County, New York City and Long Island. As an organization, we build resilient communities while fighting climate change, save endangered lands, protect the Sound, and restore its rivers and coastlines. We do this in many ways, from legislative advocacy and legal action to engineering, environmental monitoring, and hands-on volunteer efforts.

The Legal Team consists of four attorneys who advocate before courts, agencies and the legislature throughout the region to (1) ensure Long Island Sound, rivers, and lakes are clean and support thriving ecosystems and communities, (2) mitigate climate change and promote clean air, (3) protect our last great endangered open spaces and habitats, and (4) promote environmental justice.

Learn more about our current cases at https://www.savethesound.org/our-toolbox/legal-docket/.

THE POSITION:

The staff attorney’s work would center around our legal advocacy, with a focus on litigation. Reporting to the Senior Legal Director, this position would be based in New Haven, Connecticut and focus primarily on Connecticut and Federal matters. This is a full-time, exempt position with full benefits (offerings explained below) and we are looking for someone with immediate availability.

We seek a hard-working, energetic, and creative attorney with outstanding writing skills and demonstrated commitment to protecting and improving our environment. The job will involve:

1. Legal writing and advocacy to represent Save the Sound before state and federal courts and administrative agencies;
2. Occasional attendance at evening and weekend meetings or hearings as necessary, which may require limited travel throughout the region;
3. Helping to define and execute Save the Sound’s litigation and advocacy strategies;
4. Representing Save the Sound in coalitions and with partner organizations;
5. Providing counsel to Save the Sound programs on legal and related policy issues; and
6. Supervising interns and students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

The candidate should have:

1. A minimum of three years relevant experience in environmental or related litigation or advocacy; attorneys with two years of demonstrated and exceptional experience will be considered;
2. An outstanding academic record;
3. Strong communications and interpersonal skills;
4. Exceptional writing ability;
5. A J.D. degree; and
6. A Connecticut and/or New York Bar admission is strongly preferred but not immediately required.

TERMS & COMPENSATION:

This is an at-will, full-time, salaried, exempt position. The salary range is $70,000-95,000 commensurate with skills and experience. Our comprehensive benefits package includes company sponsored health insurance, dental and vision insurance, 403(b) with company match after 1 year, life and long-term disability insurance, a generous time off package and opportunities for professional development.

This position is contingent upon the continued level and availability of funding for work organizationally. Save the Sound reserves the right to modify or terminate employment if funding is reduced or unavailable.

TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter, and list of references to the posting on our jobs page. Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed as they are received. Applications will be accepted starting immediately until the position is filled.

We are a thoughtful and thorough organization. We will be in touch to acknowledge receipt of your application and to schedule selected applicants for an interview. Our hiring process can take from 7 to 10 weeks. You will be informed when the hiring process is complete. Please be patient.

Additional Details Common to All Positions:

Save the Sound’s Commitment to Equity and Diversity - Save the Sound is an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination based on age, color, disability, marital or parental status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or any other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Our organizational leadership and staff are working to deepen Save the Sound’s diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek to attract a more diverse applicant pool, and to add and retain more outstanding Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to all levels of our team. We work in diverse communities and landscapes and are actively working to increase our focus on driving environmental justice and equitable outcomes through our work.

Work Authorization Requirement - Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment. Save the Sound participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Shared Organizational Job Responsibilities 

• Maintaining positive and productive working relationships with all Save the Sound staff members, including providing and receiving constructive feedback;
• Participating in building productive relationships with Save the Sound's members, external partners, policy makers, and the general public;
• Completing all administrative work on time, such as timesheets, purchase orders, project reports, and planning documents

Hybrid Work Arrangements - Save the Sound currently has a hybrid in-office/remote work arrangement. Staff are expected to report to either of our offices at least 2 days per week (unless their position requires otherwise). Details of this arrangement are determined upon hire and employees must notify their manager of any necessary changes. It is at the manager’s discretion to amend the agreed-to work arrangement dependent upon business needs, work performance, or other factors.