The Chesapeake Bay Foundation seeks a Virginia Legal Intern to be based at our Richmond office located in Richmond, VA.

THE CHESAPEAKE BAY FOUNDATION

Established over 50 years ago, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated solely to restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay, our nation’s largest estuary. With 300,000 members, an annual operating budget of $26 million, and a $55 million endowment, CBF’s 190 full time staff work in offices in Annapolis and Easton, MD; Richmond and Virginia Beach, VA; Harrisburg, PA; Washington, DC; and in 15 field education program locations across the Bay watershed.

CBF’s headquarters – the Philip Merrill Environmental Center – in Annapolis is the world’s first USGBC LEED platinum building. In 2014, CBF opened the Brock Environmental Center in Virginia Beach; the Brock Center is the tenth certified Living Building and one of the most energy efficient, environmentally smart buildings in the world.

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

 

EPR

 

CBF’s Environmental Protection and Restoration department defends and restores the Chesapeake Bay by protecting the Bay’s natural resources from pollution and other harmful activities by fighting for strong and effective laws and regu­lations; restoring the Bay’s essential habitats and filtering mechanisms; and involving citizens in CBF’s environmental efforts by recruiting, training, and incorporating them as effective partners and leaders.

 

 

CONTEXT OF THE POSITION

 

The legal intern would be part of CBF’s Environmental Protection and Restoration Program (EPR) which includes lawyers, scientists, grassroots, and outreach staff who work on a wide spectrum of Bay-related issues, including water and air quality, point and nonpoint source pollution, conservation, growth management, wetlands protection, and fisheries management. The intern would support EPR’s advocacy of strong enforcement of existing laws and development of more effective regulatory programs through participation in local, state, and federal regulatory initiatives, legislative work before the Virginia General Assembly, litigation, and many other CBF-specific initiatives to protect and enhance water quality in the Bay and its tidal tributaries

 

Essential functions include:

 

The legal intern is expected to have the opportunity to participate in some or all of the following:

  1. Help prepare policy positions and presentations, craft proposed legislation, and monitor legislative study committees
  2. Work with staff on analysis and implementation of state laws and regulations
  3. Assist in preparation of administrative petitions, amicus briefs, and other litigation documents
  4. Conduct legal research on a broad range of environmental issues
  5. Help with other legal projects (e.g., permit reviews)

 

PREFERRED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

 

The Virginia State office is currently seeking spring and summer legal interns for a period of approximately 12 weeks each. The length of the internship, and whether the position is full time or part time, will depend on CBF’s specific needs. Law students who have completed at least the second year are invited to apply for this unpaid position.

 

To apply, please send resume and cover to:

 

Human Resources

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Internships@cbf.org

 

WE ARE COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, AND JUSTICE

 

Just as biodiversity is the key to a thriving ecosystem, human diversity is the key to saving the Bay. Success depends on people from widely diverse backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, identities, and races taking collective action. Clean water, clean air, and a safe environment are rights we all share.

 

To increase diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation will:

 

  • Recruit and retain a staff, board, and membership that reflect the diversity of people living within the Chesapeake Bay region;
  • Strengthen and broaden the diversity of our partnerships;
  • Celebrate and value the diversity of staff; and
  • Fight to ensure that everyone has equal access to clean water, clean air, and a safe environment.

 

CBF requires that all staff be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.  The successful candidate will need to submit verification of vaccination or have a valid religious or medical reason not to be vaccinated.

 

CBF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.