The Center, one of America's preeminent centers of expertise in public health law, strives to advance health equity through the power of law and policy. The Center supports its partners in transforming their environments through policies to promote healthy food access, reduce or eliminate commercial tobacco, and support governance processes designed to lead to equitable outcomes.

The Public Health Law Center (the "Center"), a dynamic, public interest affiliate of Mitchell Hamline School of Law in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is seeking to hire a Program Director who has a passion for working for the social good and who share our commitment to advancing racial and social justice, including the social determinants of health, implicit bias, and systemic oppression. We are looking for a candidate with a demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

The prospective employee will lead the Center's climate policy project pursuing a healthy built environment for all. We seek to advance health and climate equity by strengthening laws and policies relating to building decarbonization, particularly for disenfranchised and marginalized populations. Our current climate justice work aims to attain greater protections for residents assisted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by raising awareness of the causes of indoor air pollution and by connecting housing providers and residents to financial resources available to support energy efficiency improvements and climate change resilience. The climate policy attorneys also provide legal technical assistance in support of efforts to enact local laws to decarbonize buildings and move away from the harmful effects of burning fossil fuels indoors.

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Responsibilities

• Assist the Program Director in meeting the performance objectives of the Center.

• Conceive and develop new initiatives and lead efforts to ensure the long-term sustainability of the program, which is funded through charitable grants and contracts.
• Build and maintain relationships of trust and partnership with funders, partners, and allies, and with helping to influence the agenda of the national climate justice movement.
• Supervise a team of experienced attorneys and policy analysts, as well as law students and graduate students; and manages staffing and workloads to ensure timely, high-quality work on multiple complicated grants and contracts.

• Provide some direct legal technical assistance to Tribal public health advocates, community groups, and to state and local health officials, government attorneys, and other public health advocates working to advance public health and health equity through law and policy.
• Work with constituency groups to deliver meaningful services and support, including participation on task forces and work groups, speaking engagements, and training on public health law and policy issues.
• Research, analyze, write, and present reports, articles, sample policies, and other written materials under the direction of the Program Director.
• Assist with project development and reporting requirements, including preparation of budgets, narratives, and work-plans for grant proposals and periodic reports to funders.
• Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel.

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Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate degree.
• Active license to practice law in Minnesota, or any other state or Tribe within the United States. Must be in good standing with the applicable licensing authority.
• At least 7 years of relevant work experience, including at least 5 years of management experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing health equity.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues and external partners from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to explain complex issues or ideas using language appropriate to audiences of specialists or non-specialists.
• Great public speaking/presentation skills, including the ability to articulate mission and purpose of work to funders and other audiences.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Experience in developing written legal and policy educational materials for varied audiences and educational levels.

• Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with diverse populations and social identities, and with those most affected by systemic health problems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with climate or energy law, housing law, state/local preemption, or building codes.
• Experience securing funding through grant proposals and contracts.

• Experience in drafting, implementing, or enforcing local, state, federal, or Tribal laws.
• Experience working with other attorneys, policy analysts, or public health professionals.

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Salary & Benefits

$78,435 - $125,500

Mitchell Hamline School of Law provides a comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include:

• Health Insurance, including Dental and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and Dependent Care Account (DCA)
• Basic Life Insurance (at no cost to employee)
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Training and Professional Development
• 403(b) Retirement Benefits with Employer's Matching Option
• Tuition Assistance Programs
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Potential Remote/Telework
• Generous Holidays and Winter Break

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Location

Saint Paul, MN (USA)

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Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Mitchell Hamline School of Law, we believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms, benefits the classroom, the institution, and the legal profession. Mitchell Hamline is a respectful community that embraces differences and an environment that encourages, supports, and welcomes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We embrace diversity. We recognize the importance of creating a culture that supports and welcomes all members who choose our school to work or learn. Each student (past, present, and future) and employee's unique cultural background, life experiences, perspectives, and viewpoints are considered and valued. Mitchell Hamline strives to provide an excellent educational and employment experience by practicing inclusivity as we work, educate, and learn with one another. Mitchell Hamline is committed to these efforts and believe in promoting a philosophy of anti-racism, cultural diversity, multicultural understanding, and cultural respect in our educational curriculum, in our organizational operations, and throughout the communities we impact. Accordingly, we encourage members of diverse and under-represented groups to apply. (AA/EEO)

Mitchell Hamline School of Law is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer. We are dedicated to building a diverse employee base that is committed to teaching and working in an environment focused on equity and inclusion. The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney is responsible for ensuring equity and inclusion is rooted into their day-to-day work. The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney must strive to promote equity through continuous learning and improvement, the positive development of our community, and the identification and removal of barriers.

Additional information about our Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can be found here.

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