About the role#
The Institute for Engagement and Negotiation is hiring a Student Research Assistant to support the development of a legal framework for urban forest conservation. This project focuses on valuing and augmenting urban forest canopies as heat mitigation infrastructure. You will work with attorneys to review Virginia state and local laws, alongside examples from other US jurisdictions, regarding tree protection, zoning, carbon mitigation, and climate resilience. This is a part-time position requiring 8 to 10 hours per week.
What you'll do#
- Conduct legal research into existing Virginia laws and regulations and notable examples from other US jurisdictions.
- Participate in weekly project team meetings and assist with preparing agendas, meeting materials, and summaries.
- Assist in engagement with stakeholders from state and local government, affected communities, and nonprofit partners.
- Contribute to the development of reports and public-facing materials.
What you'll need#
- You must be a current graduate student at the University of Virginia.
- This position is open only to current law students or students who hold a degree in law.
- Demonstrated experience in legal research and writing.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively, strong organizational skills, and experience with note-taking and synthesis.
- Interest or experience in conservation or land use law is preferred.
- Knowledge of Virginia law related to tree protection or a background in science or economics as applied to law and policy is a plus.
- Experience with the preparation of legal reports and the distillation of legal analysis is preferred.
Location & details#
- Location: Charlottesville, Virginia.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Spring 2027 with the opportunity to continue into Summer 2027 based on performance and fit.
- Compensation: $19 per hour for first-year graduate students and $21 per hour for second or third-year graduate students.
About University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public institution of higher learning based in Charlottesville. Founded in 1819, it operates 12 distinct schools and serves as the largest employer in its region. The university maintains an annual economic impact of 5.9 billion dollars. It focuses on academic research and the preparation of students for leadership roles.
How to get in at University of Virginia
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