Legal Fellow, Harm Reduction Legal Project

The Network for Public Health Law (Network), with the support of its fiscal sponsor, TSNE, is a national organization providing leadership, legal technical assistance and educational resources to help public health practitioners, attorneys, policy makers, researchers, advocates, and communities develop, implement, and enforce laws to solve public health challenges.

The Network and TSNE envision a society grounded in principles of social and economic justice. As such, we strive to achieve excellence through a diverse and inclusive workplace that honors each individual as a whole person. Our vision and values are reflected in all our employment-related decisions, including hiring practices. Accordingly, we actively seek people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work. We value the unique talents and contributions of each of our employees. Individuals with lived experience are particularly encouraged to apply for this position.

The Network is seeking a legal fellow to support the Network’s Harm Reduction Legal Project. This is a one-year, grant-funded position. Under the direction of the Legal Project Director, the fellow will conduct research and assessment of laws and policies, consultation on best practices, and strategic guidance to individuals and organizations working to create, expand, and defend harm reduction programs in the United States. The fellow will also provide actionable information to governmental and non-governmental organizations as well as individuals and private sector partners regarding legal rights, barriers and facilitators, and best practices for the creation and operation of harm reduction programs and practices through the development of written materials, participation in webinars and trainings, and related activities.

Legal Technical Assistance

• Provide timely, high quality, practical, and relevant technical assistance, training, and referrals in the area of harm reduction law and policy in consultation with Project Director and other Network colleagues.

Resource Development

• Work with public health practitioners, attorneys, community-based and governmental organizations, impacted individuals and communities and other relevant stakeholders on an ongoing basis to identify relevant legal issues and evidence-based solutions.
• Assist in the development of Network resources for use by public health practitioners, attorneys, policy advocates, and other interested persons.

 Outreach and Relationship-Building

• Assist in building and maintaining collaborative relationships with public health and legal experts, cross-sector partners, community members, advocates, and other relevant parties.
• Generate new TA and partnership opportunities through outreach and resource development.
• Provide opportunities for networking and peer assistance to Network stakeholders.

Strategic Planning

• Participate in strategic planning, including efforts to identify, obtain, and fulfill grants and contracts.
• Participate on Network-wide committees and workgroups as appropriate.

Other duties as assigned.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Must hold an earned J.D. or equivalent degree (such as LLB).
• Demonstrated experience in or commitment to public health law, harm reduction law and policy, or a related field.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Exceptional time management and organizational skills with ability to prioritize tasks effectively.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and WestLaw.
• Required to use good judgment, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information.
• Ability to work remotely from home office. (Individuals who reside in the Twin Cities area in Minnesota will have the option to work in the Network’s office.)

Individuals with an earned law degree and demonstrated interest in public health law, harm reduction law and policy, and related fields are encouraged to apply. Membership in the bar of a U.S. state is preferred but not required. The successful candidate will have excellent legal research and writing skills; excellent organizational skills; a strong, demonstrated commitment to social justice and the rights and dignity of people who use drugs; and the ability to create and maintain partnerships and collaborative relationships with a wide variety of individuals and communities. As this is a full-time remote working position, the successful candidate will be a professional who thrives in a structured independent environment with external supervision (the successful candidate will also have the option to work out of the Network’s office in the Twin Cities area).

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Regarding COVID-19: TSNE considers the health and safety of our employees of the utmost importance, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to your state and local laws, our policy requires that all employees performing in-person work at a TSNE designated office are fully vaccinated. For the purpose of this policy, fully vaccinated indicates that you have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Certain exemptions may be requested and will be considered by Human Resources.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed remote. Work is eligible for 100% remote work.

Compensation: The starting salary for this position is $65,000/year and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): 12 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal holiday, and sick time for full-time staff;
• 80% Employer-paid, $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim;
• Low-cost MetLife Dental and Vision;
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care;
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employer-paid Pension through TIAA;
• ...and more!

TSNE/NPHL strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/NPHL prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/NPHL celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/NPHL's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.