Legislators jobs in Washington, D.C.

Earthjustice is the premier nonprofit environmental law organization. We take on the biggest, most precedent-setting cases across the country. We wield the power of law and the strength of partnership to protect people’s health; to preserve magnificent places and wildlife; to advance clean energy; and to combat climate change. We partner with thousands of groups, supporters, individuals, and communities to engage the critical environmental issues of our time and bring about positive change. We are here because the earth needs a good lawyer.

Founded in 1971, Earthjustice has a distinguished track record of achieving significant, lasting environmental protections. We achieve this by hiring people who share a passion for justice and a healthy environment. Our headquarters are in San Francisco with offices in Anchorage, Juneau, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tallahassee, Miami, Honolulu, New York, Philadelphia, Denver, Seattle, Bozeman, and Washington, D.C.

The Legislative Director, State & Regional Advocacy position is a new role that will support state- and local-level legislative and administrative lobbying on issues that Earthjustice prioritizes.

The new Director will coordinate planning, strategy, and execution across multiple states and related federal advocacy.

This position can be based in the following general locations with travel expected into the local state legislative offices. During the legislative session, in-person presence will be expected at least twice a week: Washington, DC, Albany, NY, Olympia, WA, Denver, CO, Springfield, IL, or Sacramento, CA.

This position may at times support the work of Earthjustice Action. Earthjustice Action is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization founded to defend and strengthen bedrock environmental laws and ensure they remain intact and enforceable.

Key Responsibilities:

Legislative Strategy Development & Coordination (55%)

Lead development and coordination of state and local advocacy strategies on issues Earthjustice prioritizes across multiple states and related federal work.
Run organization-wide planning process for state and local lobbying priorities.
Map, track, and report on state and local lobbying across the organization.
Support fundraising activities and develop annual budgets for state and local-level advocacy.
Help develop and recommend organizational positions on policy, legislation, and executive appointments.
Coordinate with litigation, policy, and communications leadership within Earthjustice to develop and implement advocacy and efficiency strategies.

Lobbying and Public Communication (25%)

Personally lobby and educate state legislators and state administration officials, including by educating them on priority Earthjustice issues.
Develop and maintain relationships with legislative and administrative decisionmakers and their staff. 
Plan and oversee advocacy events such as briefings, lobby days and fly-ins.

Coalition Building and External Engagement (10%)

Maintain an active leadership presence within the environmental community, representing Earthjustice and Earthjustice Action in coalitions and with partners.
Serve as a spokesperson on issues Earthjustice prioritizes at a state and local level, while supporting Earthjustice’s media and public engagement.
Create opportunities for partners and allies to engage decisionmakers to educate and advocate on priority issues.

Team Leadership (10%)

Cultivate a cohesive and supportive state and local lobbying policy team that brainstorms, collaborates, and shares resources.
Coach, mentor, and develop lobbying staff, including by creating professional development plans and identifying training and development opportunities.
Foster a transparent and inclusive culture.
Celebrate successes and help staff understand and manage setbacks.
Serve as a surrogate for Earthjustice’s President and VP of Policy and Legislation when needed.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a proactive, mission-driven leader with significant cross-partisan “political fluency,” social intelligence, and a strong desire to make progress on critical policy issues. You should be collaborative, empathetic, pragmatic, and detail-oriented. You should also have:

Eight years of combined federal or state legislative and administrative advocacy experience.
Experience with environmental law.
Strong communication, leadership, relationship and coalition-building skills.
The ability to mentor, coach, and develop others.
Flexibility, agility, and strong organizational skills.
Experience working with traditional and social media.

We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits that are comprehensive and competitive. We also offer an extremely congenial work environment and a casual dress code. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Earthjustice is a qualifying employer for purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.

Salary is dependent on experience and location.

Salary range in Washington, D.C. & Sacramento, CA: $168,900 - $187,700
Salary range in Denver, CO: $160,000-$177,800
Salary range in Albany, NY, Olympia, WA, & Springfield, IL: $151,100-167,900

*There may be variation in salary range within general locations, recruiters will confirm range during hiring process.

To Apply:

Applicants should apply via Jobvite and include the following by April 10, 2026.

Resume
Cover letter

Please reach out to jobs@earthjustice.org if you are having technical difficulties submitting your application. No phone calls, drop-ins, or hard copies.

Earthjustice is driven by a passion for justice, inclusion, partnership and excellence. Our core values lead us to seek a broad range of perspectives and backgrounds to achieve our mission and to maintain an inclusive environment where all staff are valued and respected. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to employment practices that ensure that employees and applicants for employment are given equal opportunities without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information or any other factor that is not related to the position. For positions located within the City and County of San Francisco: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Legislative Director, State & Regional Advocacy

Sr. Legislative Representative

Legislative Director, Courts, Justice, & Administrative Law

Legislative Director, State & Regional Advocacy at Earthjustice – Washington, District of Columbia

Explore Related Opportunities

About This Position

Scan to Apply

Job Location

Frequently asked questions about this position