Director of the Environmental Law Center and Associate Dean of Environmental Programs: Tenure-Track

Description

Director of the Environmental Law Center and Associate Dean of Environmental Programs

Full-time, Tenure-Track

Reports to: Dean of the Law School

Location: South Royalton, VT

Salary: $90,000-119,000 + administrative stipend

Vermont Law and Graduate 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.

Position Summary: The Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as the Director of the Environmental Law Center and Associate Dean of Law School Environmental Programs. This dual-role position requires an individual with deep expertise in environmental law, a commitment to academic excellence, and a passion for fostering impactful community engagement. The successful candidate will oversee the environmental law curriculum; drive research, advocacy, policy, and other programmatic initiatives; teach within the environmental law program; oversee the nationally renowned summer program; and promote community engagement efforts related to environmental law. Additionally, the Director will work closely with the administration and the Associate Dean of the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment to advance interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives. The successful candidate could come from any of the diverse fields within environmental law: pollution, water, toxics, climate change, natural resources, biodiversity, land use, environmental justice, agriculture and food law, animal protection, sustainable finance and business, energy, or international and comparative environmental law, among others. This position can be coupled with a tenure-track appointment for a candidate with requisite experience.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Curriculum Oversight:

• Develop and continuously enhance the environmental law curriculum to ensure it reflects the latest developments in the field and meets the needs of students and the broader legal community.
• Collaborate with faculty to integrate innovative teaching methods and interdisciplinary approaches into the curriculum.
• Ensure alignment of the environmental law program with the strategic goals of VLGS and emerging trends in environmental policy and regulation.

Research and Other Programmatic Initiatives:

• Oversee and support research and other programmatic initiatives conducted by faculty, students, and affiliated scholars within the Environmental Law Center.
• Facilitate the development of high-impact research projects and publications that address critical environmental issues and contribute to legal scholarship.
• Seek and manage external funding opportunities to support research and other programmatic activities.

Teaching and Academic Leadership:

• Teach core and elective courses within the environmental law curriculum, bringing a dynamic and engaging approach to instruction.
• Help design and champion environmental clinic and experiential opportunities for environmental law students with clinic faculty and the Associate Dean for Experiential Learning.
• Mentor and advise students on academic and career matters, including guiding them through research projects and practical experiences.
• Provide leadership in environmental law faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation.

Summer Program Management:

• Oversee the operation and continuous improvement of the nationally renowned summer program in environmental law, ensuring its importance and effectiveness.
• Coordinate with faculty and external partners to deliver a comprehensive and impactful program that attracts diverse participants.

Community Engagement:

• Lead efforts to strengthen community engagement related to environmental law, including outreach activities, partnerships with local and national organizations, and public seminars.
• Foster relationships with alumni and other stakeholders, policymakers, and advocacy groups to enhance the Center's influence and contribute to meaningful environmental policy discussions.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Work closely with VLGS administration to align the Environmental Law Center's activities with the School's overall mission and strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment to develop and implement interdisciplinary programs and initiatives.
• Oversee and manage programmatic budget.
• Manage and supervise Environmental Law Center staff.
• Contribute to student recruitment efforts, including work with the Admissions Office and the Associate Dean for the Maverick Lloyd School for the Environment to promote graduate degree programs among law school applicants and students.
• Work with the development office to fundraise for Environmental Law Center initiatives.

Additional Duties:

• Represent the Environmental Law Center and VLGS at conferences, workshops, public events, Board of Trustees Meetings, and Senior Leadership Meetings.
• Contribute to institutional committees and working groups as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean of the Law School.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent legal degree required; advanced degrees (e.g., LLM, SJD) in environmental law or related fields are highly desirable.
• Established record of scholarly research and publications in environmental law.
• Proven experience in teaching and curriculum development in environmental law at the law school level.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and ability to manage complex programs and initiatives.
• Strong commitment to community engagement and public service in the environmental law sector.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, administration, students, and external stakeholders.

Additional Attributes:

• A commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment.
• Ability to navigate complex organizational structures and build consensus among various stakeholders. About the Environmental Law Center

The Environmental Law Center (ELC) oversees the most comprehensive graduate environmental law program in the country. Consistently ranked among the nation's best by U.S. News & World Report, our environmental law program includes six legal clinics, seven centers and institutes, more than 60 environmental law courses, and 76 environmental faculty. We prepare students to work on the frontlines of environmental advocacy, the climate crisis, environmental justice, energy and climate justice, animal law and protection, as well as the sustainable food movement. We develop leaders who can work with environmental and public policy issues within the framework of the legal system and are prepared to meet the environmental challenges of the 21st century.

Applicants must complete an online application and electronically submit (1) a cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae; (3) a research agenda; and (4) the names and contact information of three references. VLGS will only contact references for finalists. VLGS strongly encourages applications from those who would bring increased diversity to our community. Direct inquiries about the position to Faculty Appointments Committee Chair, Anna Connolly at aconnolly@vermontlaw.edu. The positions will remain open until filled.

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 and Graduate 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.

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