Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Attorney, Clean Transportation
at Environmental Defense Fund
🏢 About Environmental Defense Fund
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is unique for its science-based, non-partisan approach to environmental advocacy, combining rigorous research with practical policy solutions. Working at EDF offers the opportunity to drive meaningful change on critical issues like clean transportation while collaborating with experts across disciplines.
About This Role
This Senior Attorney role focuses on advancing clean transportation policies through legal advocacy before regulatory bodies like CARB and in federal/state litigation. You'll directly shape zero-emission vehicle regulations and defend state authority under the Clean Air Act, making it a high-impact position at the intersection of environmental law and climate policy.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting comments for an upcoming CARB hearing on zero-emission vehicle standards, collaborating with EDF scientists on technical aspects of a regulatory proposal, and preparing litigation strategy for defending state clean transportation policies. You'd likely coordinate with coalition partners and review the latest regulatory developments affecting clean air authority.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Environmental Defense Fund Is Looking For
- An attorney with 5+ years specializing in environmental/administrative law, particularly with CARB or similar state regulatory experience
- Someone with demonstrated litigation experience who can draft briefs and motions for clean transportation cases
- A professional with established relationships in California's environmental policy ecosystem (government, industry, advocacy groups)
- An expert on Clean Air Act preemption issues and state authority under the Energy Policy Conservation Act
📝 Tips for Applying to Environmental Defense Fund
Highlight specific CARB advocacy experience in your resume - quantify regulatory proceedings you've participated in
Demonstrate your understanding of California's unique authority under Clean Air Act Section 209 by mentioning relevant cases or policies
Include examples of coalition-building with environmental justice groups in your application materials
Show how your litigation experience aligns with defending state clean transportation policies against federal preemption challenges
Reference EDF's specific clean transportation initiatives, like their work on Advanced Clean Trucks or zero-emission vehicle mandates
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience with CARB proceedings and California clean transportation regulations', 'Specific litigation examples defending state environmental authority against preemption challenges', "How you've built stakeholder coalitions across government, industry, and environmental justice communities", 'Your understanding of the intersection between clean transportation policy and climate goals']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → EDF's specific clean transportation campaigns and recent CARB advocacy work
- → Current litigation involving state clean vehicle programs (like the ongoing challenges to California's authority)
- → EDF's partnerships with environmental justice organizations on transportation equity issues
- → Recent CARB regulations like the Advanced Clean Fleets rule and how EDF has engaged with them
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Generic environmental law experience without specific clean transportation or CARB focus
- Failing to demonstrate understanding of California's unique role in clean air policy
- Overemphasizing federal experience without showing state regulatory advocacy capabilities
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Environmental Defense Fund!