Application Guide

How to Apply for Staff Attorney, Fossil Economy (2-year contract)

at Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

🏢 About Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

CIEL is unique for its strategic focus on confronting petrochemical pollution and false climate solutions through legal interventions, specifically targeting the fossil fuel and petrochemical sectors. Unlike broader environmental organizations, CIEL combines deep legal expertise with campaign approaches to challenge regulatory systems in the US and Europe, making it a powerful force for systemic change in environmental law.

About This Role

This Staff Attorney role involves researching regulatory regimes governing fossil fuels, carbon capture, and petrochemicals, then developing and executing legal strategies like permit challenges and administrative filings. It's impactful because you'll directly confront industry practices through legal interventions that can block harmful projects and shape regulatory frameworks at both national and international levels.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve researching specific carbon capture regulations, drafting administrative comments for an upcoming regulatory deadline, and collaborating with campaign teams to align legal strategies with broader advocacy goals. You'll likely be analyzing technical documents from petrochemical projects while preparing legal arguments for permit challenges or regulatory interventions.

🚀 Application Tools

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Is Looking For

  • A J.D. holder with 2+ years experience in environmental law, administrative law, or regulatory work, preferably with exposure to fossil fuel/petrochemical sectors
  • Someone who can navigate both US and EU legal systems and quickly master new regulatory frameworks like carbon capture regulations
  • A clear legal writer who can draft persuasive administrative comments and permit challenge documents that meet formal submission standards
  • A strategic thinker who can distill technical information about petrochemical processes into compelling arguments for different audiences (regulators, courts, campaign partners)

📝 Tips for Applying to Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)

1

Highlight specific experience with administrative law procedures like notice-and-comment periods or permit challenges, not just general litigation experience

2

Demonstrate knowledge of both US and EU regulatory systems - mention specific regulations or cases you've worked with in either jurisdiction

3

Include writing samples that show your ability to translate technical information into legal arguments (redact confidential information)

4

Explain how your experience aligns with CIEL's specific focus on petrochemical pollution and false climate solutions, not just general environmental law

5

Address the 2-year contract nature positively - show how your skills and goals align with this specific timeframe and project-based work

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with regulatory interventions (permit challenges, administrative comments) and knowledge of fossil fuel/petrochemical regulations', 'Your ability to work with both US and EU legal systems and quickly learn new regulatory frameworks', 'Examples of translating technical information into persuasive legal writing for different audiences', "Why CIEL's specific focus on confronting petrochemical pollution and false climate solutions resonates with your professional goals"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CIEL's recent campaigns and legal interventions against specific fossil fuel or petrochemical projects
  • → Their work on 'false climate solutions' - understand their position on carbon capture, offsets, and other technologies
  • → Their specific regulatory targets in both US and European contexts (which agencies, which regulations)
  • → Their organizational structure and how legal teams collaborate with campaign staff
Visit Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)'s Website →

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience with administrative law procedures like permit challenges or regulatory comment periods
2 How would you approach researching and understanding a new regulatory framework for carbon capture technologies?
3 Give an example of when you had to distill complex technical information into a clear legal argument
4 What experience do you have with EU legal systems or international environmental regulations?
5 How would you develop a legal strategy to challenge a petrochemical facility permit in the current regulatory environment?
Practice Interview Questions →

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on general environmental advocacy without demonstrating specific legal/regulatory expertise
  • Showing limited understanding of administrative law procedures that are central to this role
  • Presenting as primarily a litigator without experience in regulatory interventions and strategy development

📅 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 Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)!

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