Assistant Dean, Energy Law Program

• Maintain appropriate curricular offerings taking into consideration faculty guidance, sound pedagogical principles, student interests, and employment trends.
• Identify, recommend for hire, and support adjunct faculty as needed to meet curricular goals. Review adjunct faculty course evaluations each semester and address any concerns identified (which may include consultation or referral to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs).
• Provide academic and career advising to students, both one-on-one and by making available timely and accessible information about course offerings and academic and career development through group events, publications, or other means.
• Administer the Recognition of a JD Concentration in Energy Law, the Energy & Environmental Law LLM degree, and the Master of Studies in Law in Environment & Energy, which includes periodic review of the requirements for each degree and making annual adjustments if needed; providing guidance to students to assure they meet the necessary requirements for the degree they are seeking; and working with the Dean of Students and the Records office to confirm students have met the requirements for graduation.
• Supervise students’ theses and independent legal writing projects. Consult on student journal notes. Assist students seeking publication of their work.
• Assist students in identifying and competing for employment opportunities, collaborate with the Career Center and Field Placement Office to support students, and maintain cordial connections with placement supervisors and potential employers. As appropriate, pair students with alumni in the energy field for informational meetings, mock interviews, or other mentoring.

• Energy Law Advisory Council, which provides guidance and financial support to the program. The Assistant Dean maintains relationships with the council members, calling upon them as needed for program support, coordinates semi-annual meetings, and shares responsibility for recruiting new members with the Development Staff.
• Energy Connectors, an energy affinity group for alumni. Work with appointed alumni leaders and Alumni Relations Staff to organize, fund, and market events. Attend events and cultivate relationships with alumni to enhance the program – e.g., identifying potential mentors, employment opportunities, and donors. Coordinate succession of alumni leaders as needed.
• Sustainable Energy Initiative (SEI), the umbrella “brand” for research and programming that is sustainability-focused. (The program and curriculum are broader, not all sustainability-focused.) Organize and market SEI events to elevate GW’s academic reputation. These might include conferences, lectures, discussion groups (Collaborative Conversations series), webinars, etc.
• Double-degree LLM program with the University of Groningen, which allows LLM students to earn two LLM degrees in one year: one in Climate and Energy Law from the University of Groningen and one in Energy & Environmental Law from GW Law. Assist with marketing and recruitment; manage relationships with the University of Groningen; coordinate curriculum with the University of Groningen; serve as the primary point of contact for double-degree students; coordinate arrangements to bridge schedule conflicts between the schools; and provide other administrative and curricular support. Supervise students’ theses and/or assist students in finding faculty supervisors.
• The Earle & Cathy O’Donnell Summer Energy Endowed Fellowship, which funds a summer position with an organization selected by the Assistant Dean in consultation with the Associate Dean for Public Interest. (The current organization is the DC Public Service Commission). Maintain relationship with the organization and assure students receive appropriate training; coordinate student payments with the Office of Public Interest.

• Coordinate management and execution of the E&EL Program under the oversight of the Dean and the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
• Work with the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, other Program Directors, and the Academic Team as needed to facilitate a positive student experience and smooth operation of the Law School.
• Publicize the E&EL program and the work of Environmental and Energy Law faculty and students by developing communication materials in conjunction with the Communications Office, provide input to Law School publications on program topics; oversee the program’s social media outreach; and manage the E&EL web presence and marketing efforts.
• Help to build, maintain, and support new initiatives, such as our planned new Environmental and Energy Justice clinic.
• Work with the Law School Dean’s office, Development Office, E&EL faculty, and alumni to enhance fund-raising from individuals, foundations, or other sources of funding.
• Create opportunities to promote and showcase the scholarly work and achievements of the Environmental and Energy Law faculty and students.
• Organize and support conferences, symposia, and other scholarly, professional, and public-facing projects and events. These may be initiated by the Assistant Dean, individual Environmental and Energy Law Program faculty members, related centers, initiatives, and programs, or student groups focused on energy and environmental law.
• Serve as co-advisor to JEEL and EELA and work with these and other student organizations as appropriate.
• Develop a recruitment plan and work with Graduate and International Programs staff to substantially increase LL.M. and M.S.L. enrollments in Environmental and Energy Law. Assist the JD and Graduate Admissions staff with recruiting students interested in energy law; and the Dean of Students Office and Office of Graduate and International Programs with orientation and advising of students interested in the E&EL Program.

• Manage the energy law program budget, prepare and analyze reports as needed, and perform similar administrative duties.
• Monitor and adjust the program’s policies and procedures as needed and collaborate with other program directors and staff in updating the Law School Bulletin.
• Work closely with the Development and Alumni Relations Office to maintain positive alumni relations and raise money to support the program.
• Attend bar, organizational, and public meetings to obtain exposure and recognition for the program and receive feedback on issues and matters that will help ensure success of the program.
• Cultivate and implement efforts designed to enhance non-J.D. tuition revenue sources, including CLE and Executive Education, content for existing and potential new LL.M. and M.S.L. degrees, and other strategic revenue opportunities consistent with the short- and long-term financial plan of the Law School.
• Serve as liaison and principal contact for students, prospective students, visiting scholars, and other visitors regarding the program.

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 7 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 5 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

• J.D. degree is strongly preferred.
• Significant experience in legal education and/or law practice in energy law, as well as extensive knowledge and understanding of the various disciplines within the field and familiarity with the work of lawyers in those disciplines.
• Significant demonstrated achievements and strong visibility in the academic, private, nonprofit, and/or government sectors in the field of energy law.
• Familiarity with major federal and state regulatory agencies, other national/international governmental or non-profit agencies, and professional legal organizations involved in energy law.
• Demonstrated administrative and management experience and capabilities with previous experience in program administration, fundraising, public service, and/or public relations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Ability to work and partner with members of the E&EL Program faculty and others on joint programming efforts and the promotion of scholarship by faculty and students.
• A well-developed energy law and policy network.
• Experience in developing/managing programs that involved fundraising/grant development.
• Experience with in-depth research projects and publications.
• The ability to work sensitively with a diverse multicultural population of students, partners, and faculty.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as in teams.
• Ability to work creatively within broad program goals.

The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.