Now Hiring: 3 Positions
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About KRC & Good Trouble
KRC is a public-interest environmental law and advocacy organization that works to protect Kentucky’s natural resources, fight for environmental health and justice, and teach citizens to be effective environmental stewards. We believe everyone has a right to clean air, clean water, and land free of pollution; that nature should be protected from abuse; and a healthy environment is essential for a sound economy. Since the organization was founded in 1984, KRC has been at the center of most significant energy and environmental issues facing the Commonwealth. From helping to end the scourge of strip mining under the notorious “broad form” mineral deed, to protecting some of our most treasured lands from development and strip mining, to helping empower thousands of individuals seeking to protect their lands, health, and communities, KRC has remained steadfast in its work to protect our built and natural communities from pollution and environmental damage.
In January 2023, KRC is launching a new program, Good Trouble: a Proposal for Coordinated Strategies and Actions in Pursuit of Environmental Health and Justice in Kentucky. Working with allied organizations and supported by technical and legal experts, we are designing a comprehensive environmental permit review training program for citizens and attorneys. This initiative will advance environmental protection, health, and justice across the Commonwealth by combining meaningful citizen participation, science-backed information and analysis, and technical and legal expertise to ensure that Kentucky’s environmental decisions are protective of public health and the environment. This project will, for the first time, provide the resources here in Kentucky to empower the public to participate in the permitting processes in the robust and consistent manner envisioned by our nation’s environmental laws.
All questions, inquiries, and applications should be sent to careers@kyrc.org.
The Kentucky Resources Council is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Program Attorney (Grant Funded for 3 Years)
Job Description
The Good Trouble Program Attorney will work with KRC’s Executive Director, the Good Trouble Project Manager, and other legal staff to design and execute the Good Trouble program, including providing legal support for citizen permit review, drafting comments on complex permits, and bringing administrative and legal challenges to deficient permits and environmental decisions. This is a grant-funded 3-year position, with potential for a permanent hire.
Essential Duties
- Work collaboratively to develop the permit review training modules, guidance documents, and templates for the Good Trouble program
- Lead trainings for citizens, community groups, and attorneys, to provide the resources needed for them to understand the various permitting and compliance processes, so they may become adept in conducting permit reviews, in advocating for more stringent controls and accountability mechanisms in permit decisions, and in monitoring the compliance of various industrial, commercial, and institutional pollution sources
- Assist citizens in, and prepare as needed, public comments on select proposed permits
- Train citizens on how to effectively participate in public hearings; attend select public hearings
- Provide legal support for public comments and when needed, seek administrative and judicial remedies to ensure compliance with permits and with the environmental laws designed to protect Kentucky’s citizens, communities, the environment, and our climate
- Work with scientific experts and educational institutions to provide the public with the scientific background and data necessary to engage in environmental decision-making
- Comment on “rulemakings” by the State and the EPA, in order to advocate for regulations and pollution control limits that are more protective of public health and the environment
- Participate in researching, writing, and editing briefs, comment letters, complaints, legislation, and other case and project documents
- Assist on other KRC environmental and energy cases as needed, including administrative appeals, and cases before the Public Service Commission and state and federal courts
- Draft and respond to discovery, motion practice, court appearances, mediation, and trial
- A collaborative team player with strong research, writing, and analytic skills
- A commitment to environmental protection and justice
- Relevant state and federal environmental or administrative law experience
- A self-starter, strategic thinker, and strong communicator
- Law degree and the ability to obtain a Kentucky law license within 6 months of the start of employment, if not currently licensed to practice law in Kentucky
Work Location
KRC maintains a virtual office, but the legal fellow must be located in/near Kentucky, as the position will require some travel to hearings, court appearances, and events across Kentucky.
Environmental Permitting Specialist (Grant Funded for 3 Years)
The Environmental Permitting Specialist will assist KRC’s Executive Director, the Good Trouble Project Manager, and KRC’s legal staff in designing and executing a comprehensive environmental permit review training program for citizens. The Permitting Specialist will also conduct technical reviews of proposed environmental permits and authorizations and will aid the public and KRC legal staff in the drafting of public comments. This is a 3-year position, with potential for a more permanent hire after that time.
- Work collaboratively with KRC’s Executive Director, the Good Trouble Project Manager, and legal staff to develop the permit review training modules, guidance documents, and templates for the Good Trouble program
- Work with scientific experts and educational institutions to provide the public with the scientific background and data necessary to engage in environmental decision-making
- Review records, permit applications, expert reports, and agency drafts and approvals to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations (by utilizing permitting handbooks and guidance documents)
- Assist citizens in, and as needed, conduct reviews and comment on proposed environmental permits and certifications in Kentucky that have a potential for significant impact on the environment and/or public health
Candidate Qualifications and Attributes
- A collaborative team player with strong research and analytic skills
- A commitment to environmental protection, health, equity, and justice
- Familiarity and experience with regulatory programs and governmental processes authorizing emissions, discharges, or management of wastes impacting public health and the environment
- Background in engineering or environmental science
Work Location
KRC maintains a virtual office. This is a remote position, but the permitting specialist must be available for occasional travel across Kentucky, for site visits and hearings.
Compensation
Salary commensurate with experience. Benefits include a monthly contribution to a Health Reimbursement Account, a retirement plan with employer match, two weeks sick leave, and four weeks paid vacation.
Legal Fellow (Grant Funded for 3 Years)
The Good Trouble Legal Fellow will assist KRC’s Executive Director, the Good Trouble Project Manager, and senior legal staff in designing and executing a comprehensive environmental permit review training program for citizens, community groups, and attorneys. The Legal Fellow will also provide legal support for citizen permit review, draft comments on proposed permits and environmental decisions, and attend public hearings. This is a 3-year fellowship position.
Essential Duties
- Work collaboratively to develop the permit review training modules, guidance documents, and templates for the Good Trouble program
- Compile legal and technical information on regulatory programs and governmental processes that pertain to the permitting of pollution or changes in air, land, or water resources, or impact environmental quality, health, and justice
- Work with legal and technical experts to develop training modules, guidance documents, and templates for the Good Trouble program
- Assist with tracking proposed permits, certifications, and authorizations, using data management systems
- Write, submit, and manage responses to open records requests
- Assist citizens in, and prepare as needed, public comments on select proposed permits
- Train citizens on how to effectively participate in public hearings; attend select public hearings
- Process, respond to, and track requests for legal and technical assistance for the Good Trouble program
- During Years Two and Three, provide legal support for citizen permit review, assist in reviewing complex or deficient permits, and co-counsel on administrative and judicial cases
- A collaborative team player with strong research, writing, and analytic skills
- Commitment to environmental protection, health, equity, and justice
- Some understanding of regulatory programs and governmental processes that pertain to the permitting of pollution
- Self-motivated and strong work ethic
- Travel is expected to attend hearings and meet with community groups across Kentucky. Must possess a valid state driver’s license
- Law degree and license to practice law in Kentucky or registered for 2023 bar exam
Salary commensurate with experience and years of practice (range provided upon offer of an interview). Benefits include a monthly contribution to a Health Reimbursement Account, a retirement plan with employer match, two weeks sick leave, and four weeks paid vacation.
KRC maintains a virtual office, but the legal fellow must be located in/near Kentucky, as the position will require some travel to hearings, court appearances, and events across Kentucky.
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume, and three references to careers@kyrc.org.
Deadline
These positions will remain open until filled.
Kentucky Resources Council is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, age, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.
The Kentucky Resources Council is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the conservation and prudent use of Kentucky’s natural resources. Since 1984, we have dedicated ourselves to protecting Kentucky’s land, air, water, and communities.