Position Summary:

We are seeking a 1-year, data center-focused legal fellow at our Pittsburgh remote office.  At Fair Shake, legal fellows receive training on the practice of public interest environmental law while acting as staff attorneys and handling a full docket of cases or other matters that advance a specific project relevant to Fair Shake’s environmental justice mission.  As such, in support of the specific fellowship project – in this instance providing legal counsel and representation to communities fighting hyperscale data center proposals – the Data Center Legal Fellow would research legal questions; counsel clients and community organizations; attend and participate in community meetings; provide community legal education; conduct factual investigations; litigate civil and administrative matters; negotiate settlements; draft and file permit and rule comments; and generally help to communities to oppose and/or mitigate the harms from hyperscale data center proposals as part of a full-service environmental law practice.  Anticipated case matters can include, among other things, Right To Know Law appeals; municipal Sunshine Act compliance litigation; construction stormwater and NPDES permit commenting; land use and zoning hearings; air quality permit commenting; municipal policy development; and nonprofit formation and counseling.

Desired Skills and Qualities:

• Training and experience in environmental and administrative legal issues.

• Training and experience in client interviewing and counseling, administrative and civil procedure, trial advocacy, and settlement negotiation.

• Experience and training in legal drafting, research, and effective communication.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in both collaborative and independent work product and performance.

• Comfort with facilitating community meetings. 

• The ability to explain legal concepts in accessible and understandable ways to the general public.

• A commitment to Fair Shake’s environmental justice mission, client-centered counseling approach, and community lawyering.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor degree or the equivalent.

• A minimum of 1-3 years of environmental or related legal practice experience (experience in a clinical program or working as a clerk or intern in a law office during law school may count as 1 year of experience in a legal practice).

• Current Pennsylvania or Ohio Bar admittance.

Location:

Fair Shake is an organization whose staff works remotely from their homes with shared office spaces in Beechwood, OH; Cincinnati, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; and Charleston, WV, and other locations as needed.  Organizational meetings are primarily conducted by video conference.  However, the Data Center Legal Fellow must be willing to travel across Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia as necessary to address client needs and the organization’s mission (estimated to occur approximately 1-2 per month).  Travel costs will be reimbursed.  Also, an initial and annual home office stipend will be provided to enable remote work, and a computer and external monitor will be supplied. 

Compensation & Benefits:

Fair Shake is offering an annual salary range of $72,000 - $80,000, based on a 32-hour average work week, commensurate with skills and experience.  In addition to salary, Fair Shake offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes 20 days paid vacation; 10 days sick time; 12 weeks paid parental leave; work-related travel cost reimbursement; professional membership and conference allowance; monthly contribution-free, employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer-paid long- and short-term disability insurance; employer-paid life insurance; and, after the vesting period, a retirement savings plan. 

To Apply:

Please submit a letter of interest, your CV or résumé, and a writing sample to:

Michael A. Parker, Esq.

Executive Director

Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services

6425 Living Place, Suite 200

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

info@fairshake-els.org

Position Summary

The Community Democracy Coordinator will support environmental justice by taking the lead in building authentic, reciprocal, and engaged relationships with individuals and communities throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.  This individual will then foster collaboration and facilitate interactive education and skills training, create resources, provide technical assistance, and build capacity for communities engaged in the fight against data centers and the data center infrastructure build-out, as well as advocate for future community-driven goals in the region.

Job Tasks:

• Build strength-based, reciprocal relationships with diverse individuals and community partners in-person and virtually and then lead those relationships in meaningful collaborations.

• Foster collaboration and community-building to bring communities together, learn, share, and provide mutual support and education within and between towns and states.

• Lead and facilitate 1:1, small, and large-group community education, in-person and virtually, with community members, community leaders, and other partners about environmental justice topics, including community organizing (for example - power mapping, communications, community engagement), community lawyering (for example - public commenting, municipal policy, local decision-making processes, and state permits). 

• Collaborate closely with Fair Shake Staff Attorney and Community Democracy team to ‘translate’ complex legal and policy language into creative resources and community education.

• Coordinate activities including planning events, locations, logistics, coalition partners, and community education content.

• Analyze and maintain qualitative and quantitative data collected through community events and conversation that describes community strengths, needs, vision, as well as outputs such as community contacts, outreach and education outcomes and attendance.

Qualifications & Strengths

• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to listen for understanding.

• Ability to translate complex information into accessible communications and content.

• Experience facilitating small and large groups both in-person and virtually.

• Creative thinking and proactive problem-solving skills, with a strong interest in ideas and comfort with complexity.

• Knowleddge of the Ohio River Valley, Appalachia, and an appreciation for each communities’ unique culture, strengths, and challenges.

• A commitment to:

  • promoting fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies;

  • empowering communities and stimulating economies in the Appalachian Basin region by providing environmental legal services and counseling to allow the underserved to make decisions about practical and innovative solutions to complex environmental challenges across the region.

Requirements:

• At least three years’ experience in a diverse background, such as community engagement, , health education, organizing, social work, racial and economic justice work, public policy, law, and/or Bachelor’s degree in related field.

• Applicant must have reliable transportation and proof of insurance to travel across the three-state (WV, OH, and PA) area for community-based work.

• Ability to work during occasional evenings or weekends, with flexibility to ensure an average work week of 32 hours.

Location

Fair Shake is an organization that works remotely from our homes, with staff located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.  This position will require travel throughout Ohio, western Pennsylvania, and parts of West Virginia (estimated about twice/month of in-person presence).  Priority will be given to individuals who live in Ohio or Western Pennsylvania.

Compensation & Benefits

Fair Shake offers an annual salary range of $47,000-55,000 commensurate with skills and experience as well as a comprehensive benefits package that includes 20 days paid vacation; 10 days paid sick leave; travel cost reimbursement; fully employer-paid premiums on medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid parental leave; and a retirement savings plan (after an eligibility period). 

Funding Note: This position is grant-funded, with guaranteed funding for a one-year period.  Fair Shake commits to seeking funding to continue this important role and work past the one-year period.

To Apply

We will be considering applications on a rolling basis as they come in, with a deadline date of 11/20/26.  To apply, please submit via e-mail a letter of interest explaining why this role excites you, along with a copy of your résumé to: 

Meagan Niebler, Director of Community Democracy

mniebler@fairshake-els.org