Assistant Dean, Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law

Assistant Dean, Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law

Company:
Lewis & Clark College

Job Location:
Portland, 97219

Category:
Law Deans

Type:
Full-Time

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland's southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

PRIMARY PURPOSE

The Assistant Dean, Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law Program, reports directly to the Dean of the Law School and supports the faculty environmental, natural resources, and energy committee. This role is primarily responsible for overseeing the Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law program, managing both internal academic components and external outreach efforts, and representing the program on a national and international level. The ideal candidate will possess significant experience in environmental law, strong leadership skills, and the ability to manage multiple complex initiatives. To be successful in this position, the individual must excel at strategic planning, student advising, program development, and building relationships with key stakeholders.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Program Management & Development

• Oversee the Environmental, Natural Resources, and Energy Law program, including JD certificates (Environmental and Natural Resources Law and Energy, Innovation and Sustainability) and the online and in-person MSL and LLM degrees.
• Serve as liaison for the program's environmental clinics and institutes
• Work with relevant staff at the law school and college on ensuring and reporting compliance with American Bar Association (ABA) and Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) requirements for the MSL and LLM programs
• Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic and outreach initiatives for the program.
• Develop and propose new program initiatives in line with industry trends and student needs.
• Represent the program nationally and internationally, promoting its strengths and accomplishments.
• Serve as a member of the all-deans team, which includes participating in the regular meetings of all law school deans led by the law school dean

Student Advising & Curriculum Oversight

• Oversee the three-year curriculum planning process for in-person environmental courses and online courses, including helping faculty and adjunct faculty with course loads and course rotations, review student evaluations of all faculty each semester, and oversee adjuncts in the environmental program.
• Host an annual environmental curriculum orientation session for JD students
• Counsel JD students on course selection, career planning (in coordination with the law school's career services office), and program opportunities in the environmental law program (scholarships, fellowships, etc.).
• Review and approve JD student applications for environmental certificates, working with the Registrar
• Serve as a resource for Assistant Director of the program in their role of managing relationships with prospective and current MSL and LLM students.
• Serve on the Admissions and Scholarship Committees for online and in-person LLM and MSL students
• Serve as one of the advisors to the law review, Environmental Law (along with environmental faculty advisors), coordinate meetings with all advisors and ELR board in fall and spring and serve as a contact for ELR students.

Faculty & Staff Management

• Supervise the Assistant Director and Program Coordinator, ensuring effective team collaboration and task completion.
• Manage the hiring and evaluation of adjunct faculty for environmental law courses.
• Provide support for adjuncts teaching in the environmental program (as needed beyond general support offered by Associate Dean of Academic Affairs).
• Set and organize regular meetings of the environmental faculty steering committee for the program. Oversee and implement new initiatives and ongoing projects from the committee.

Marketing, Outreach & Admissions

• Direct all marketing strategies for the environmental law program, including publicity materials and web content.
• Work with the JD admissions office to recruit JDs interested in environmental law (speaking with interested candidates, attending recruiting events, etc.)
• Oversee recruitment efforts for online and in-person MSL and LLM programs through outreach, event and Webinar participation, and public speaking engagements.

Budget & Resource Management/Fundraising

• Oversee program budgets and provide income and expense projections in coordination with the Associate Dean of Finance
• Monitor and approve department expense submissions, ensuring alignment with departmental priorities.
• Track expenditures throughout the fiscal year.
• Coordinate with LC development staff on funding initiatives for program needs and projects and assist with cultivation and donor relations.

Conferences and Events

• Oversee conferences and events of the environmental program including annual Distinguished Environmental Visitor lecture and Graduate awards, annual Huffman Lecture, annual environmental symposium (along with a rotating faculty member), and other events or activities planned in any given year.
• Attend and participate in events that will promote the environmental program locally and nationally

External Relationships

• Engage with external organizations and committees that promote the environmental law program locally and nationally (e.g., the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (FNREL), American Association of Law Schools (AALS), bar associations, etc.)
• Develop and maintain relationships with alumni of the environmental program
• Develop and maintain relationships with current and potential environmental employers and externship supervisors.

Student Scholarship, Clerk and Fellow Programs

• Oversee the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) clerk program, Diehl Fellow Program, and Wyss Scholars Program (including management of funds and grant reporting).
• Oversee other scholarships in the environmental program.

Other Duties as Assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, & BEHAVIORS

• Superior leadership and management skills, including the ability to motivate, guide, and evaluate a diverse team of faculty and staff.
• Excellent organizational skills, able to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Extremely skilled in strategic planning, with the ability to set long-term goals and lead initiatives to achieve them.
• Superior interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with students, alums, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts clearly to a variety of audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Excellent problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to make well-reasoned, timely decisions based on data and input from diverse sources.
• Proficient in environmental law and policy, with an understanding of current issues, trends, and best practices within the field.
• Highly capable of managing and overseeing complex, multifaceted projects while ensuring successful completion and adherence to goals and timelines.
• Strong editing and writing skills, particularly in drafting reports, proposals, and educational materials for both internal and external audiences.
• Superior public speaking and presentation skills
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive environment, actively promoting respect for diverse perspectives and ensuring a welcoming atmosphere for all individuals.
• Proficient in financial management, with the ability to prepare and monitor budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility while meeting program needs.
• Highly skilled in using office software, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and online collaboration tools such as Google Drive and Zoom.
• Proficient in using legal research tools and databases, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis, to stay current with relevant case law and regulatory changes.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Five or more years of experience in an environmental law or policy practice.
• Three or more years of supervisory experience, including overseeing staff or managing teams.

PREFERRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE

• Experience working in higher education settings, preferably within a law school environment.
• Advanced degree or additional legal certifications in environmental law or a related field.
• Experience developing and managing academic programs, especially those related to law or environmental studies.
• Experience in academic advising and student counseling within graduate or professional programs.
• Preferred Tech
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis.
  • Experience with Google Drive, Zoom, and other collaboration tools.

WORK SCHEDULE

• Full Time/Part Time: Full Time
• Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (with flexibility for evening events and travel as needed)
• Benefit Eligible: Yes
• Travel: Occasional travel required for conferences, meetings, and program representation.
• In person: This position is in-person on the law school campus but may include occasional remote work, depending on program needs.

PAY RATE

• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Starting at $105,000 per year with consideration for experience

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• General office environment
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to communicate effectively via phone, email, online meetings, and in person
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds occasionally
• May require travel to conferences and external meetings, including occasional overnight stays.

Directions for Cover Letter

Please include a cover letter describing your interest in joining Lewis & Clark and the ways you can contribute to a culture of inclusion on our campus.