Application Guide
How to Apply for Senior Attorney, Texas Clean Affordable Power
at Environmental Defense Fund
🏢 About Environmental Defense Fund
The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is a leading international nonprofit organization that combines science, economics, and law to create innovative, equitable solutions to environmental challenges. What makes EDF unique is its pragmatic, results-oriented approach that partners with businesses, governments, and communities to achieve durable environmental progress. Someone might want to work here to engage in high-impact regulatory advocacy at the intersection of clean energy, climate policy, and public health.
About This Role
This Senior Attorney role focuses specifically on Texas's clean energy transition, advocating before the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and other state bodies to modernize utility planning and rate design for affordable, reliable clean power. The role is impactful because it directly shapes Texas's energy future—the nation's largest electricity market—by advancing policies that benefit consumers, improve grid resilience, and deliver climate benefits through strategic legal and regulatory work.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve drafting regulatory comments or legal briefs for a Texas PUC proceeding, collaborating with EDF's energy analysts on modeling or policy recommendations, and meeting with coalition partners to strategize on upcoming utility rate cases. You could also participate in internal team calls to align on advocacy priorities and research emerging Texas energy policies affecting clean power affordability.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Environmental Defense Fund Is Looking For
- An attorney with 5+ years of experience in energy law, regulatory proceedings, or public utility law, preferably with direct experience before the Texas PUC or similar state commissions.
- Demonstrated expertise in clean energy issues such as utility integrated resource planning (IRP), rate design, grid modernization, or renewable energy integration.
- Strong advocacy skills with experience in regulatory filings, litigation, stakeholder engagement, and coalition-building, particularly in Texas's energy landscape.
- A strategic thinker who can work collaboratively with EDF's Energy Transition team, community partners, and consumer advocates to advance practical, equitable energy solutions.
📝 Tips for Applying to Environmental Defense Fund
Tailor your resume to highlight specific Texas energy regulatory experience (e.g., PUC dockets, rulemakings, or cases involving ERCOT, utilities like Oncor or CenterPoint).
Explicitly address in your materials why you are drawn to EDF's 'pragmatic' and 'equitable' approach to clean energy advocacy, as mentioned in the program overview.
If you have remote work experience, emphasize your ability to collaborate effectively with distributed teams, as EDF's Legal & Regulatory team works across D.C., Boulder, and remotely.
Given the preference for Austin-based candidates, if you are remote, explain your familiarity with Texas energy policy and your ability to engage effectively with Texas stakeholders.
Mention any experience with fixed-term or contract roles, highlighting your ability to deliver results within a defined timeframe, as this is a two-year position.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your specific experience with Texas clean energy regulatory proceedings and how it aligns with EDF's Clean Affordable Power program goals.", 'Examples of advocating for consumer-focused, equitable energy solutions that balance affordability, reliability, and environmental benefits.', 'Your ability to collaborate with diverse partners (e.g., community groups, industry, consumer advocates) to achieve practical policy outcomes.', 'Why the two-year fixed-term nature of the role appeals to you and how you plan to make an impact within that timeframe.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → EDF's recent work in Texas, such as their advocacy on ERCOT market reforms, utility rate cases, or clean energy initiatives, via their website or news releases.
- → Current Texas PUC dockets or rulemakings related to clean energy, grid resilience, or utility planning (e.g., on ERCOT's website or the PUC's online system).
- → EDF's organizational structure, particularly the U.S. Legal & Regulatory team and Energy Transition team, to understand internal collaboration.
- → Texas's energy landscape, including key utilities (e.g., Oncor, CenterPoint), ERCOT market dynamics, and recent policy debates on renewables, storage, or affordability.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn't address Texas-specific energy regulatory experience or EDF's mission-driven approach.
- Overemphasizing federal or international energy experience without connecting it to Texas state-level regulatory advocacy.
- Failing to demonstrate an understanding of the practical, collaborative nature of EDF's work, such as by focusing solely on litigation without mentioning stakeholder engagement or coalition-building.
📅 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!