Job Description

Reporting to: Vice President of Policy & Regulatory Affairs
Supporting: ELM and the ELM Action Fund
Salary Range: $100,000-$115,000

The Environmental League of Massachusetts (ELM) and the ELM Action Fund (ELM AF) are seeking an experienced regulatory attorney to drive our work at the Department of Public Utilities and lead our work in building decarbonization policy. Building Decarbonization Director is a newly created position within the collegial and effective Policy & Regulatory Affairs team and 22-person ELM staff. ELM and the ELM AF are committed to advocating for policy and building political power in Massachusetts to meet the scale and urgency of our environmental challenges. Read our purpose, mission, vision, and values for ELM and the ELM Action Fund .

Massachusetts cannot meet its statutory 2030 climate targets without cutting greenhouse gas emissions from the buildings sector, promptly and equitably electrifying low- and moderate-income housing, and aligning utility incentives and rates with consumer and environmental objectives. ELM seeks a passionate and effective regulatory attorney with strong project management skills, strategic vision, and experience in administrative law proceedings to move these policies forward in Massachusetts. This professional will drive ELM’s work on building decarbonization, energy efficiency, clean heat, and utility business model reform within regulatory proceedings, legislation, and diverse and active coalitions.

Job Duties/Responsibilities

Responsibilities:
Regulatory Processes

Represent ELM in administrative proceedings at the Department of Public Utilities. Near term cases include the future of gas dockets (DPU 25-40 through 45), heat pump rates (DPU 25-08), and other proceedings relating to long-term system planning for a modern, renewable grid and decarbonized buildings and transportation

Devise and execute strategies for achieving ELM’s advocacy goals in administrative processes at the Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of Energy Resources, and other relevant agencies

Organize coalition partners and draft comment letters; review and conduct discovery, work with expert witnesses to craft testimony, prepare for and conduct cross-examination, conduct research to support arguments and draft briefs and motions

Policy & Advocacy

Identify regulatory and systemic barriers to an equitable and just transition to decarbonized, healthy buildings. Research and innovate policy solutions to address them

With ELM’s Advocacy Team, build legislative campaigns to advance clean heat and building decarbonization policies including energy efficiency, electrification, existing buildings standards, building codes, active demand management, transitioning off delivered fuels and natural gas, and utility business model reforms

Build ELM’s reputation as a thought leader through appearances in media, press, and events

Build alliances and coalitions among parties to regulatory processes and enrich network of partnerships impacting buildings and clean heat in Massachusetts

Write advocacy and educational materials, articles, opinion pieces, and communicate about expertise, supported by ELM’s communications team

Facilitate discussions among diverse stakeholders and drive support for building electrification policies that reduce energy burdens and accelerate the pace of transformation

Qualifications

Qualifications:
Required

JD or LLM; at least 3 years of litigation or administrative law practice

Subject matter expertise in building electrification policy

Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making capabilities. Must be a strategic thinker who is also detail and process-oriented.

Organized self-starter with an ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and deliverables simultaneously

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including ability to distill complex ideas into clear, easy to understand messages

Collaborative, “all hands on deck” orientation around getting work done

Commitment to centering racial justice and equity and ensuring an inclusive organizational culture

Preferred

Experience intervening at the Massachusetts DPU

Familiarity with Massachusetts’s legislature and political landscape

Passion for people and coalition work and experience building consensus

$100,000-115,000 depending on experience and qualifications. ELM provides generous paid time off, health and dental insurance, Health Savings Account, and a 403(b) retirement plan with organizational match.

This full-time role is based in our Boston office and requires occasional morning and evening commitments outside of the standard 9-5 office hours. ELM supports a hybrid work environment.

Why do you want to work with ELM? This can include (but is not limited to) what inspires you about our values, how you connect to our mission, what projects excite you, or what you like about our approach to environmental policy and advocacy.

ELM is committed to continually expanding our work supporting overburdened and underserved communities and fostering a multicultural and inclusive staff. Please describe your own personal and professional commitment to these areas.

Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) candidates may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

ELM is an equal-opportunity employer and we strongly encourage applications from all interested candidates. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, ancestry, creed, religion, personal appearance, national origin, citizenship, age, gender, or sexual orientation.”

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