Working at VLS, your next career step!

🌿 Overview of Vermont Law School

Vermont Law School (VLS), located in the quaint village of South Royalton in Royalton, Vermont, stands as a premier institution for legal education with a distinctive focus on environmental law. Founded in 1972, VLS has built a reputation as the nation's leading law school for environmental studies, offering programs that blend rigorous academics with practical training. Jobs at Vermont Law School attract professionals passionate about law, sustainability, and higher education, providing opportunities to contribute to groundbreaking legal scholarship and teaching in a supportive, community-oriented environment.

The school's rural setting amid Vermont's stunning landscapes fosters a unique campus life, emphasizing work-life balance and access to nature. Whether you're eyeing faculty positions, administrative roles, or support staff jobs, VLS offers a pathway to meaningful careers in higher ed jobs. With its commitment to experiential learning through clinics and externships, employees play a vital role in shaping future lawyers who tackle global challenges like climate change.

📜 History and Mission of VLS

Established by visionaries Thomas and Elena Little, Vermont Law School began as a small institution dedicated to accessible legal education. Over the decades, it evolved into a powerhouse for environmental law, launching the first Master of Studies in Environmental Law (MSEL) program in 1987 and pioneering the integration of sustainability into legal curricula. Today, as part of Vermont Law and Graduate School following its affiliation with Champlain College, VLS continues to innovate with hybrid JD programs and advanced degrees in energy regulation and renewable energy.

This rich history informs jobs at Vermont Law School, where roles often involve advancing the school's mission of justice through environmental stewardship. Faculty and staff contribute to initiatives like the Environmental Law Center, which has influenced national policy on clean energy and conservation.

🎓 Academic Programs and Expertise Areas

VLS offers a Juris Doctor (JD) as its flagship program, alongside the Master of Laws (LLM) in Environmental Law, Master of Environmental Law and Policy (MELP), and specialized certificates. The school excels in areas like climate change law, animal law, and international environmental agreements, attracting top talent for teaching and research.

Career opportunities span professor jobs, lecturers, and research positions, particularly for those with expertise in emerging fields such as renewable energy regulation. The faculty includes renowned scholars who publish in top journals and advise governments, making VLS an ideal place for academics seeking impact.

💼 Types of Jobs at Vermont Law School

Jobs at Vermont Law School encompass faculty, administration, and support roles. Tenure-track professors teach core law courses and lead seminars on environmental topics. Adjunct faculty provide specialized instruction, while administrative positions include deans, admissions counselors, and career services advisors. Library staff manage extensive legal resources focused on sustainability.

For a deeper dive into university job types, including how they vary by institution, our guide offers valuable insights. VLS also posts openings in student services and IT, supporting its online and hybrid learning models.

• Faculty: Full-time professors and lecturers in law subjects.
• Administration: Roles in enrollment, finance, and development.
• Support: Librarians, IT specialists, and facilities management.

📚 Definitions

To ensure clarity for those new to legal academia, here are key terms related to jobs at Vermont Law School:

• Juris Doctor (JD): The primary law degree required for practicing attorneys, typically a three-year post-baccalaureate program.
• Tenure-track: A faculty path leading to permanent employment after probationary years, emphasizing research and teaching.
• Adjunct Professor: Part-time instructor hired per course, often practitioners bringing real-world experience.
• LLM (Master of Laws): Advanced postgraduate degree for specialized legal study, common at VLS for environmental focus.
• Experiential Learning: Hands-on education via clinics, where students (and staff) engage in real cases under supervision.

✅ Required Academic Qualifications, Research Focus, Preferred Experience, and Skills

Securing jobs at Vermont Law School demands strong credentials tailored to its niche. Required academic qualifications include a JD from an ABA-accredited school for faculty roles, with many positions preferring or requiring an LLM or SJD (Doctor of Juridical Science). Research focus centers on environmental law, with expertise in climate litigation, natural resources, or energy policy highly valued—VLS boasts over 20 clinics and institutes dedicated to these areas.

Preferred experience encompasses peer-reviewed publications (e.g., in the Vermont Law Review), grants from bodies like the EPA, and teaching at accredited institutions. For administrative jobs, a master's in higher education administration or relevant law experience suffices.

Essential skills and competencies include:

• Exceptional legal writing and analysis.
• Teaching prowess, demonstrated via student evaluations.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration, blending law with policy and science.
• Grant writing and fundraising for research projects.
• Commitment to mentorship and public service.

Check how to write a winning academic CV for tips on highlighting these.

📝 Application Process and Tips

The application process for jobs at Vermont Law School begins with monitoring the official careers page and platforms like higher ed faculty jobs. Submit a tailored cover letter, CV, teaching philosophy statement, research agenda, and three references. Diversity statements are crucial, detailing contributions to inclusive environments.

Actionable tips:

1. Research VLS-specific initiatives, like its net-zero carbon goal by 2030, and align your experience.
2. Network at AALS (Association of American Law Schools) conferences focused on environmental sections.
3. Prepare for interviews with mock classes on topics like Clean Air Act compliance.
4. Follow up professionally, emphasizing Vermont's appeal for work-life balance.
5. Use free resume templates optimized for academia.

Applications are reviewed holistically, with rolling deadlines for some roles.

🌈 Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives

Vermont Law School champions diversity through targeted programs. The Access to Justice Fellowship supports underrepresented law students transitioning to faculty. Affinity groups like the Black Law Students Association and LGBTQ+ allies foster belonging. Recent hires reflect commitments to gender equity and racial diversity, with scholarships for diverse applicants. VLS's pipeline programs recruit from HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and tribal colleges, ensuring inclusive higher ed admin jobs.

⚖️ Work-Life Balance and Campus Life

Nestled in Royalton's serene hills, VLS promotes exceptional work-life balance. Employees enjoy flexible hours, generous PTO (up to 25 days annually), and sabbaticals for faculty. Campus life revolves around community events like sustainability fairs and hiking clubs, leveraging Vermont's trails and farms. Wellness perks include gym access, mental health support, and farm-to-table dining. The small size (enrollment ~600) creates tight-knit teams, with low turnover due to supportive leadership. Proximity to Burlington offers urban escapes, while Royalton's quiet vibe aids focus—ideal for researchers balancing family and career.

📊 Career Growth and Benefits

VLS invests in professional development via conferences, bar review stipends, and leadership training. Salaries are competitive for law schools, with assistant professors starting around $120,000-$150,000, per professor salaries data. Full benefits cover family health plans, 403(b) matching, and tuition remission. Opportunities abound for advancement, from associate to full professor, or admin tracks to dean roles.

In summary, jobs at Vermont Law School offer a blend of intellectual rigor and purposeful impact in environmental law. Explore openings on higher ed jobs, career advice at higher ed career advice, university jobs, or post your listing via post a job. Whether faculty or staff, VLS provides a rewarding path in United States higher education.