Professor of Law and Environmental Advocacy Clinic Director

Professor of Law and Environmental Advocacy Clinic Director

Vermont Law School is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of inclusion and connectedness. We grow and learn better together with a diverse group of faculty, staff, and students. In recruiting for faculty and staff, we seek unique backgrounds to enrich and challenge our community. As part of our commitment to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, candidates who meet the qualifications for this position and who require accommodations to apply should contact Human Resources at jobs@vermontlaw.edu. Vermont Law School strives to raise the bar for being an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, place of birth, marital status, disability, veteran's status, HIV status, pregnancy, genetic information, health insurance status, and crime victim status.

Position Summary:

The position will direct all aspects of the Vermont Law School Environmental Advocacy Clinic. The successful candidate will play an integral role in the further growth of the Environmental Advocacy Clinic and provide guidance and leadership to students connected to its programs and courses. An applicant should have an enthusiasm for working with law students who are eager to learn and practice skills.

Essential Functions and Principal Accountabilities:

• Administering the Environmental Advocacy Clinic, including: managing the program budget, overseeing appropriate management of files including potentially sensitive and/or confidential information; overseeing related curriculum and student enrollment; participating in personnel decisions with the Vice Dean of Faculty, Associate Dean of Environmental Programs, and Human Resources as they deem appropriate.
• Work with a team of staff attorneys and clinical professors/instructors to develop and teach practical legal skills to student clinicians.
• Identifying potential internal and external partnerships and stewarding these relationships.
• Supervising Environmental Advocacy Clinic staff.
• Collaborating with faculty associated with the Environmental Advocacy Clinic.
• Developing and executing media strategies for program work, including working with the press and being a spokesperson for the program.
• Working to seek out and develop collaborations and partnerships that can lead to foundation or government funding; working with the VLS grants office in developing grant proposals; connecting with foundation representatives to promote the Environmental Advocacy Clinic at VLS.
• Attends and presents at relevant conferences.
• Actively participating in a dynamic law school environment.
• Mentoring students, including advising student groups.

Required Education, Skills and Experience:

• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree.
• Admission to the bar in any jurisdiction, and admission or willingness to apply for admission to the Vermont bar.
• 10+ years or more of relevant legal advocacy experience, with significant weight given to environmental litigation and administrative proceeding experience.
• Law school teaching experience.
• Record of scholarly achievement.
• At least 5 years of management experience.
• Understanding of and appreciation for inclusion, including the ability to work with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, identities, and viewpoints.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Fundraising and/or grant writing experience.
• Communications and/or marketing experience.
• Ability to manage multiple complex legal matters, including litigation, and manage partners, students, and co-counsel effectively without extensive supervision.
• Understanding of and ability to navigate within a Windows/Microsoft Office platform, primarily using Outlook, Calendar, and Microsoft Teams. Willingness to learn and use VLS-specific learning management systems such as ExamSoft, Canvas, and others.
• Good team member, interpersonal skills, and a sense of humor.

Other Requirements:

• Respect - Understanding and interest in incorporating VLS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion values into the classroom and workspace.
• Adaptability and Flexibility - Must be able to adapt to new and emerging technology as established and communicated by the law school to carry out the administrative duties associated with teaching. Willingness and ability to work remotely in emergency situations. Ability to work the occasional after-hours and weekend hours required to support students in this position. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines and reorganize under pressure.
• Communication - talk and/or listen to convey or exchange information; communicate effectively and efficiently in written correspondence and technical correspondence in English; process and comprehend written material; exchange ideas, information, and opinions with others to formulate policies and programs and/or jointly arrive at conclusions, solutions, or dispute resolution.
• Professional Discretion - exercise thoughtful judgment and meet deadlines; develop and maintain effective professional relationships with others; function effectively under stress; adapt to changing environments; display flexibility; and function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities.
• Collaboration - This position requires collaboration with peers and colleagues as well as students, and ability to independently manage deadlines and multiple projects.
• Service - Faculty and staff at Vermont law school provide service to students, the community, and one another through service on committees and appropriate volunteer opportunities both on-and off-campus.
• Scholarship - Faculty at Vermont Law School are encouraged to pursue research and scholarship opportunities as a critical part of their own continuous learning process.
• Safety - Willingness to participate with the Vermont Law School faculty and student community and follow Covid19 safety policies and guidelines as laid out by the One VLS Action Team based on the changing landscape of the Covid19 pandemic.
• Must be able to work legally within the United States without sponsorship.
• Physical ability to perform all essential functions of the job with or without basic accommodations.

Note: All job requirements are subject to possible revision to reflect changes in the position requirements or to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a threat or risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. Employees may be required, from time to time, to follow other job-related duties as requested by their Department Head, Supervisor, Dean, or as outlined in the Faculty Handbook (within guidelines and compliance with Federal and State Laws). Continued employment remains on an at-will basis.

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PI177799081