Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Attorney, Clean Transportation
at The Environmental Defense Fund
🏢 About The Environmental Defense Fund
The Environmental Defense Fund stands out for its science-driven, market-based approach to solving environmental challenges through partnerships rather than confrontation. Working here means joining an organization that combines rigorous research with practical solutions, influencing policy at the highest levels while maintaining credibility across diverse stakeholder groups.
About This Role
This Senior Attorney role focuses on leading legal and regulatory advocacy for clean transportation policies, primarily before the California Air Resources Board and other state bodies. You'll be at the forefront of shaping zero-emission vehicle regulations, navigating complex preemption issues under federal laws, and developing litigation strategies that advance EDF's clean air priorities.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve preparing comments for an upcoming CARB hearing on zero-emission vehicle regulations, strategizing with coalition partners about litigation approaches to defend state clean air programs, and meeting with environmental justice community representatives to ensure policies address disproportionate pollution impacts. You'll balance detailed legal analysis with stakeholder relationship building throughout.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who The Environmental Defense Fund Is Looking For
- Has 5+ years of hands-on experience with California Air Resources Board (CARB) proceedings or similar state regulatory bodies, not just general environmental law experience
- Can demonstrate specific expertise in Clean Air Act preemption issues and Energy Policy Conservation Act applications to state transportation programs
- Has successfully built coalitions among diverse stakeholders including government officials, industry representatives, and environmental justice communities
- Possesses litigation experience in complex environmental cases, particularly those involving administrative law challenges
📝 Tips for Applying to The Environmental Defense Fund
Quantify your CARB or state regulatory experience - specify how many proceedings you've participated in, what policies you influenced, and your specific role in those processes
Highlight any experience working with environmental justice communities on transportation or air quality issues, as this is increasingly central to EDF's advocacy
Demonstrate understanding of EDF's market-based approach by mentioning specific examples where you've used economic or market mechanisms in environmental advocacy
Show how you've navigated the tension between state innovation and federal preemption in clean transportation policy
Include concrete examples of building stakeholder coalitions that include both industry and environmental groups - EDF values bridge-building
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your specific experience with CARB proceedings and California clean transportation policy development', "Examples of how you've handled Clean Air Act preemption issues in practice, not just theory", 'Demonstrated ability to work across stakeholder groups (government, industry, environmental justice)', "How your approach aligns with EDF's science-based, partnership-oriented methodology"]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → EDF's recent victories and current priorities in California clean transportation policy (check their California-specific reports)
- → The organization's specific partnerships with industry players in the transportation sector
- → Recent EDF litigation related to clean air or transportation issues
- → How EDF's approach differs from more confrontational environmental organizations
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Focusing only on federal experience without demonstrating state-level regulatory expertise, particularly with CARB
- Presenting as purely adversarial rather than partnership-oriented in approach
- Failing to show understanding of the specific intersection between transportation policy and environmental justice concerns
📅 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 The Environmental Defense Fund!