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Environmental Law Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Environmental Planner 2

Olympia, WA · On-site +1

$4.8K - $6.5K/mo

... law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field. **Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, military service, public service, or other ...

Environmental Attorney

San Diego, CA · On-site

$125K - $175K/yr

California licensed with 3+ years of experience; environmental law, civil litigation and/or general liability. * Strong academic background and the ambition to create an extraordinary career * Solid ...

Continuing education and certification required to comply with environmental law and regulations * Assist with environmental assessments at other facilities * Assist with permit renewals * Conducts ...

California licensed with 3+ years of experience; environmental law, civil litigation and/or general liability. * Strong academic background and the ambition to create an extraordinary career * Solid ...

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Environmental Law information

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$8

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$23

How much do environmental law jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for environmental law in the United States is $16.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.66 and $17.79 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is environmental law?

Environmental law is a branch of law focused on the protection of the environment through regulations, statutes, and treaties. It governs how individuals, businesses, and governments interact with the natural world by setting standards for air and water quality, waste management, wildlife protection, and land use. Environmental lawyers often work on cases involving pollution, conservation, climate change, and the enforcement of environmental regulations. They may represent government agencies, organizations, or private clients. The field is continually evolving to address new environmental challenges and emerging technologies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an environmental lawyer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Environmental Lawyer, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and specialized knowledge of environmental regulations and statutes. Familiarity with legal research databases, environmental impact assessment tools, and compliance management systems is typically required. Exceptional analytical thinking, negotiation skills, and persuasive communication help you advocate effectively and navigate complex legal scenarios. These skills and qualities ensure successful client representation, regulatory compliance, and the advancement of sustainable environmental policies.

What are some common challenges faced by environmental law professionals when working on regulatory compliance cases?

Environmental law professionals often encounter complex and evolving regulations at local, state, and federal levels. Navigating these overlapping requirements while ensuring clients remain compliant can be challenging, especially as laws change in response to new scientific findings or policy priorities. Additionally, environmental lawyers must often collaborate with scientists, government agencies, and industry experts to gather evidence and build strong cases. Staying up to date with current legislation and maintaining strong communication skills are essential for success in this dynamic field.

What is the difference between Environmental Law vs Environmental Policy?

AspectEnvironmental LawEnvironmental Policy
FocusLegal regulations and statutesGuidelines and strategic plans
CredentialsLaw degree, bar admission often preferredPolicy or environmental studies background
Work EnvironmentLegal settings, government agencies, law firmsGovernment agencies, NGOs, think tanks
Employer & Industry UsageLegal compliance, litigation, advisingDeveloping policies, advocacy, planning

Environmental Law involves interpreting and applying legal statutes to protect the environment, often requiring a law degree. Environmental Policy focuses on creating and implementing guidelines to influence environmental practices, typically requiring expertise in policy or environmental studies. While both roles aim to promote environmental sustainability, Environmental Law is more legal and regulatory, whereas Environmental Policy emphasizes strategic planning and advocacy.

Is environmental law in high demand?

Environmental law is in increasing demand due to growing environmental concerns and stricter regulations. Environmental lawyers are needed in government agencies, private firms, and nonprofit organizations, often requiring specialized knowledge of environmental policies and compliance standards.

Is it hard to get a job in environmental law?

Environmental law is a competitive field that often requires a law degree, specialized knowledge of environmental regulations, and relevant internships or experience. Job availability can vary based on location, economic factors, and the candidate's qualifications, but strong analytical skills and understanding of environmental policies improve prospects.

What can I do with an environmental law degree?

An environmental law degree prepares individuals for careers as environmental lawyers, policy analysts, or compliance officers, focusing on regulations related to conservation, pollution control, and sustainable development. These roles often require knowledge of legal frameworks, strong research skills, and sometimes certification or licensing to practice law or advise organizations on environmental issues.

What does an environmental lawyer make?

Environmental lawyers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $120,000, depending on experience, location, and employer. Senior or specialized attorneys can earn higher salaries, especially in private practice or corporate settings, and they often require knowledge of environmental regulations and legal research skills.
More about Environmental Law jobs

What cities are hiring for Environmental Law jobs?

Cities with the most Environmental Law job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Environmental Law jobs?

The most popular types of Environmental Law jobs are:

What states have the most Environmental Law jobs?

States with the most job openings for Environmental Law jobs include:

Infographic showing various Environmental Law job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,649 per year, or $16.2 per hour.

Environmental Planner 2

State of Washington

Olympia, WA • On-site, Remote

$4.8K - $6.5K/mo

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Review and process applications, reports, and financial requests related to the FA Program.

  • Check the eligibility, validity, and compliance of financial requests, facility reports, and payment requests.

  • Assist in improving the FA Program by reviewing policies, updating materials, and sharing suggestions with supervisors.


State Of Washington rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 50 rated states


Job description

Description Environmental Planner 2 **ATTENTION: If you think you do not qualify, please consider again. At PLIA, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway.

You may be the best candidate for this or other roles. PLIA welcomes diversity. Schedule and Salary: The core working hours are from 8:00am-5:00pm.

Hybrid/flexible shifts are available. PLIA may require at least one day per week at the Olympia office. This position may require occasional travel for meetings and training.

The annual salary range of compensation for this position depends upon qualifications. The expected hiring salary may be less than the top of the range to allow for growth and development. Who we are: If you have a passion for public service, providing excellent customer service, and furthering economic development and environmental soundness, then the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) is the ideal workplace for you.

PLIA's mission is to help underground storage tank (UST) owners and operators meet financial responsibility and environmental cleanup requirements for their tanks. To succeed in this mission, our team prioritizes the following items: Open collaboration. Innovative thinking.

Delivering high-quality service. PLIA offers a flexible, hybrid work environment that fosters teamwork. The agency also values continuous learning and professional growth for our staff.

About this Opportunity: The Washington State Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA) provides an effective and efficient government funding model that helps owners and operators meet financial responsibility and environmental cleanup requirements for underground storage tanks (USTs). Project Planners work with different agency units and people outside the agency. They play an important role in the agency's FA Program.

The FA Program provides funding to petroleum UST owners and operators in Washington State to clean up accidental leaks from their tanks. The Environmental Planner 2 position also helps the agency by supporting programs that work with customers. The selected incumbent reviews program applications, environmental checklists, and reports.

Project Planners at PLIA make sure that agency programs follow state and federal rules, as well as making sure that program participants follow requirements for maintaining and checking USTs and cleaning up the environment. This position reports to the Project Planning & Programs Supervisor. To learn more information about this opportunity, email jobs@des.wa.gov and request the full job description

Duties Some of what you'll be doing includes: Providing clear financial assurance program information about applications, enrollment, and financial requests processing in the FA Program. Checking financial requests from people in the program to see if they are eligible and valid. Reviewing facility reports to make sure they follow program rules and regulations.

Checking payment requests to make sure they are complete and correct. Approving financial request payments after confirming they are valid. Responding to appeals when PLIA denies someone's financial request.

Talking with program participants to find out if they are satisfied with the services they received after PLIA processes their financial requests. Responding to technical assistance questions and other tasks related to processing financial requests. Helping run the FA Program.

Reviewing the FA Program policies and procedures to make the program work better and improve customer service. Sharing summaries with your supervisor about ways to improve our program. Updating program materials as needed, including cost guidelines.

Qualifications Required Qualifications: To meet the requirements of this position, applicants must have seven (7) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field. **Equivalent combinations of education, professional experience, military service, public service, or other qualifying education may be substituted year for year for experience. Multiple ways of meeting the requirements: [OPTION 1] Seven (7) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field.

[OPTION 2] One year of professional experience as an Environmental Planner 1. [OPTION 3] Bachelor's degree with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field AND Three (3) years of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental or natural resource planning, and/or program development. [OPTION 4] Master's degree or higher with major emphasis in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, landscape architecture, geography, land use or environmental law, public administration with an environmental emphasis, or closely related field AND One year of professional experience in land use, urban, regional, environmental, or natural resource planning, and/or program development.

In addition to meeting one of the above requirements, applicants must possess the following qualification, competencies, and knowledge. Qualifications - Position Specific Knowledge and Abilities: Knowledge of the following items: Planning principles and techniques. Environmental laws.

Policies and programs concerning state resource development. How local and state governments are organized. Environmental, social and other issues that affect the development of local and state resources.

Ability to: Accept responsibility for major program activities. Create long-term work plans. Review information and make clear decisions that follow state rules.

Understand and apply rules, regulations, and policies. Qualifications - General Competencies Required for All Positions at PLIA: Effective Communications: Ability to communicate clearly. Ability to write simple and accurate emails and documents.

Commitment to Ethical Behavior and Integrity: Ability to build trust and respect with coworkers and customers by being honest, open, and professional at all times. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and ethical behavior at all times. Commitment to Equity: Ability to learn about our agency's diversity, equity and inclusion culture and support those values in your work.

Treat everyone as important, and help create a workplace that is fair, inclusive, and respectful for all. Commitment to Self-Awareness and the Desire for Personal Growth: Ability to learn new things and grow in a changing workplace. Ability to balance work and personal life to bring out your best.

Ability to multi-task and handle stress in a changing workplace. Effective Interactions with Others: Ability to recognize and address the needs of others. Ability to build and improve teamwork with many different coworkers and customers.

Ability to remain calm and helpful with difficult customers. Supplemental Information Supplemental Information and Conditions of Employment You must provide all of the following items in order to be considered: A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting. A current resume detailing experience and education.

A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information. If you fail to provide these items, PLIA may not consider you for the position. **Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.) General suggestions for creating a good application packet: Read the job posting carefully and find out as much as you can about the position

Make sure to follow all application instructions and include all requested documentation. Make sure your supplemental question responses address how you meet required and desired qualifications. Pay careful attention to each component of the supplemental questions.

Provide examples of when and where you achieved the proficiency level required for this role. Specifically, include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work required for this role. NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct.

The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the application.

Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified. Opportunity for All: Diversity is a core value at PLIA. We are committed to building an inclusive and equitable workforce that celebrates diverse cultures, lived experiences, and perspectives.

We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization. The culture of respect that we strive for at PLIA promotes a work environment where we can best serve people of all backgrounds across Washington State.

If you need accommodation during the screening process or a copy of this announcement in an alternative format, please contact us at 800-822-3905 or by email at pliamail@plia.wa.gov. We invite you to apply for the position of Environmental Planner 2 at PLIA where you will work with a great team to support our customers across the state. Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, email jobs@des.wa.gov.


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About State of Washington

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Washington is not a traditional company, but a governmental organization that is tasked with managing the various state-run services and enterprises in Washington. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, USA, the organization is responsible for the overall administration of the state's agencies and public services. Since the admission of Washington into the Union on November 11, 1890, the state government has aimed to provide a high quality of life for its residents through effective and efficient public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

Year founded

1889