Director of Climate Justice - Mitchell Hamline School of Law

JOB DETAILS

The Public Health Law Center (the "Center"), a dynamic, public interest affiliate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking to hire a Program Director who has a passion for working for the social good and who share our commitment to advancing racial and social justice, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic oppression. We are looking for a candidate with a demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

The prospective employee will lead the Center's Climate Justice Team pursuing a healthy built environment for all. The Public Health Law Center's Climate Justice Team works to support community-led efforts that improve the living environments of under-resourced communities who disproportionately bear the effects of climate change. We are dedicated to maintaining a deep knowledge of climate policies and legal strategies that promote health equity and the equitable distribution of the resources everyone needs to thrive. Currently, the team's work includes two broad categories: At the federal level, we advocate for healthy housing for residents of federally-supported housing and strong climate policies from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in coalition with residents of HUD-supported housing, energy and environmental justice advocates, and other organizations focused on healthy housing and climate policy. At the state and local level, we provide legal technical assistance to community-based organizations, policy advocates, and state and local governments to support equitable building-decarbonization policy. We are also actively expanding our work with Tribal governments and organizations.

Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Active license to practice law in Minnesota, or any other state or Tribe within the United States. Must be in good standing with the applicable licensing authority.
• At least 5 to 7 years of relevant work experience, including demonstrated management experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity and/or climate justice.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to explain complex issues or ideas using language appropriate to audiences of specialists or non-specialists.
• Great public speaking/presentation skills, including the ability to articulate mission and purpose of work to funders and other audiences.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with climate or energy law, housing law, state/local preemption, or building codes.
• Experience securing funding through grant proposals and contracts.
• Experience in developing written legal and policy educational materials for varied audiences and educational levels.
• Experience in drafting, implementing, or enforcing local, state, federal, or Tribal laws.
• Experience working with community-based partners, policy analysts, or public health professionals.

Responsibilities:

• Assist the Executive Director in meeting the performance objectives of the Center.
• Conceive and develop new initiatives and lead efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Climate Program, which is funded through charitable grants and contracts.
• Build and maintain relationships of trust and partnership with funders, partners, and allies, and contribute to the agenda of the national climate justice movement.
• Supervise a team of experienced attorneys and policy analysts, as well as law students and graduate students; and manages staffing and workloads to ensure timely, high-quality work on multiple complicated grants and government contracts.
• Provide some direct legal technical assistance to Tribal public health advocates, community groups, and to state and local health officials, government attorneys, and other public health advocates working to advance public health and health equity through law and policy.
• Work with constituency groups to deliver meaningful services and support, including participation on task forces and work groups, speaking engagements, and training on public health law and policy issues.
• Research, analyze, write, and present reports, articles, sample policies, and other written materials.
• Assist with project development and reporting requirements, including preparation of budgets, narratives, and work-plans for grant proposals and periodic reports to funders.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel.

POSITION INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY: For best consideration, please submit applications on or before Monday, January 6, 2025. To be considered for this position, please submit the following application documentation:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter, including salary requirements
3. Writing sample demonstrating legal analysis

About Us

At the Public Health Law Center, we believe everyone deserves to be healthy. We are law and policy experts who work with advocates and professionals around the country to protect health through policy change. Our skilled team of attorneys and policy analysts helps local, state, national, and Tribal partners develop, implement, and defend evidence-based laws and policies that reduce health disparities and improve public health.

We provide legal technical assistance, which is a mix of services that include legal research and analysis, educational resource development, policy drafting assistance, litigation support, and training. We have a national reputation for timely and informed legal acumen, quality research, collaboration, accessibility, and a passionate commitment to health equity.

The Center is housed at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, which was formed in 2015 by the combination of William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law. This extraordinary union brought together two law schools that have shaped Minnesota's legal landscape for more than a combined 155 years, creating the top law school in the Midwest for students seeking a rigorous, practical, and problem-solving approach to legal education. Mitchell Hamline School of Law provides a legal education grounded in legal theory and distinguished by exceptional practical legal training. A forward-thinking, independent law school with a history dating back more than 100 years, we have continually shaped legal education to be relevant to our students, their future clients, and the legal profession. We are committed to making legal education accessible and offer an unmatched number of enrollment options. Our students graduate prepared to put their degree into practice or use their legal training in the profession of their choice.

To learn more about the Public Health Law Center, click here. For more information about Mitchell Hamline School of Law, click here.

Our Commitment

At Mitchell Hamline School of Law, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms, benefits the classroom, the institution, and the legal profession. Mitchell Hamline is a respectful community that embraces differences and an environment that encourages, supports, and welcomes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We embrace diversity. We recognize the importance of creating a culture that supports and welcomes all members who choose our school to work or learn. Each student (past, present, and future) and employee's unique cultural background, life experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints are considered and valued. Mitchell Hamline strives to provide an excellent educational and employment experience by practicing inclusivity as we work, educate, and learn with one another. Mitchell Hamline is committed to these efforts and believe in promoting a philosophy of anti-racism, cultural diversity, multicultural understanding, and cultural respect in our educational curriculum, in our organizational operations, and throughout the communities we impact. Accordingly, we encourage members of diverse and under-represented groups to apply. (AA/EEO)

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. We are dedicated to building a diverse employee base that is committed to teaching and working in an environment focused on equity and inclusion. The Program Director is responsible for ensuring equity and inclusion is rooted into their day-to-day work. The Program Director must strive to promote equity through continuous learning and improvement, the positive development of our community, and the identification and removal of barriers.

Additional information about our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can be found here.

Employee Benefits

Mitchell Hamline School of Law provides a comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include:

• Health Insurance, including Dental and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Basic Life Insurance (at no cost to employee)
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Training and Professional Development
• 403(b) Retirement Benefits with Employer's Matching Option
• Tuition Assistance Programs
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Remote/Telework-first with option for hybrid work
• Generous Holidays and Winter Break

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. Mitchell Hamline complies with all applicable laws regarding equal employment opportunity and affirmative action and does not unlawfully discriminate against any person based upon actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial (or parental) status, disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, age, family care leave status, or veteran status, or any other protected class defined by law.

Notice of Nondiscrimination re: Title IX Sex Discrimination

Mitchell Hamline School of Law prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions about sex discrimination or harassment to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination and information about reporting concerns is located on our website (https://mitchellhamline.edu/students/title-ix/).