Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Attorney for Oil, Gas, and Petrochemicals Program

at Environmental Integrity Project

🏢 About Environmental Integrity Project

The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) is a nonprofit watchdog that uses litigation and advocacy to hold polluters and government agencies accountable. Unlike many environmental groups, EIP combines legal expertise with technical analysis, often taking on high-impact cases against major oil, gas, and petrochemical companies. Working here means fighting for communities directly affected by industrial pollution, with a focus on tangible results like cleaner air and water.

About This Role

As a Senior Attorney for the Oil, Gas, and Petrochemicals Program, you will lead litigation and advocacy efforts targeting some of the largest polluters in the U.S., particularly in Texas and Louisiana. This role involves bringing citizen suits, challenging permits, and pressuring agencies like the EPA to enforce environmental laws. Your work will directly support communities facing health risks from refining, petrochemical, and fossil fuel operations.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with a call with community partners about a new pollution incident, followed by reviewing discovery documents for an ongoing Clean Air Act lawsuit. You might draft a motion to compel agency action, then meet with an engineer to discuss technical aspects of a permit challenge. Afternoon could involve strategizing with the communications team on a press release about a recent settlement, ending with court deadline preparations.

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🎯 Who Environmental Integrity Project Is Looking For

  • 5+ years of litigation experience, preferably in environmental law, with a track record of handling complex cases against corporations or government agencies.
  • Deep knowledge of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, or other federal environmental statutes, especially as applied to oil, gas, and petrochemical facilities.
  • Experience working with community groups or environmental justice organizations, and a commitment to centering impacted communities in legal strategies.
  • Strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills, with the ability to distill technical issues for courts and the public.

📝 Tips for Applying to Environmental Integrity Project

1

Tailor your cover letter to highlight specific cases you've litigated involving oil, gas, or petrochemical facilities, and explain how your work advanced environmental justice.

2

Mention any familiarity with Texas or Louisiana environmental regulations and the specific pollution challenges in those states (e.g., Houston Ship Channel, Cancer Alley).

3

Showcase your ability to work interdisciplinary by referencing collaborations with scientists, engineers, or data analysts in past cases.

4

If you have experience with citizen suits or administrative appeals (e.g., challenging Title V permits), emphasize that directly.

5

Research EIP’s current docket and reference a specific case or campaign that aligns with your expertise in your cover letter or interview.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your commitment to holding polluters accountable and your understanding of EIP’s watchdog role.', 'Specific examples of litigation or advocacy that reduced pollution from oil, gas, or petrochemical sources.', 'Your ability to work with affected communities and translate legal strategies into community empowerment.', 'Any experience with federal enforcement actions or settlements that resulted in injunctive relief or penalties.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review EIP’s recent reports and press releases on oil, gas, and petrochemical pollution, especially those involving Texas and Louisiana facilities.
  • → Look into EIP’s current litigation docket, including cases against specific refineries or petrochemical plants, and understand the legal theories they employ.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the key environmental justice issues in the Gulf Coast region, such as cumulative impacts and the history of Cancer Alley.
  • → Read EIP’s blog or policy positions on the Clean Air Act’s role in regulating greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 How would you approach a case against a major petrochemical company for alleged Clean Air Act violations in a fence-line community?
2 Describe a time you had to balance aggressive litigation with the practical limitations of a nonprofit budget.
3 How do you stay current with EPA rule changes affecting the oil and gas sector (e.g., methane rules, RMP amendments)?
4 What is your experience with expert witnesses in environmental cases, and how do you select and prepare them?
5 How would you engage with a community that is skeptical of legal remedies or has had negative experiences with past advocacy?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention EIP’s specific mission or any of their recent work.
  • Overemphasizing corporate defense experience without explaining how your skills translate to public interest litigation.
  • Failing to demonstrate a genuine commitment to environmental justice and community-centered advocacy.

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Environmental Integrity Project!

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