Senior Policy Counsel

Position Overview

Toxic-Free Future is seeking an experienced, strategic Senior Policy Counsel to play a leadership role in shaping and advancing our Washington state policy work and developing innovative policies that accelerate the transition to safer chemicals and materials.

About the Role

The Senior Policy Counsel will work closely with the Executive Director and provide legal and policy expertise; develop and advance legislative, regulatory, and administrative strategies; and represent Toxic-Free Future before state agencies, policymakers, coalitions, and other stakeholders.

This position is ideal for an attorney who combines strong analytical skills with a sophisticated understanding of law, policy, and politics. The ideal candidate is passionate about advocacy and wants to use law and policy as tools to achieve meaningful public health and environmental protections.

Key Responsibilities

Policy, Legal Analysis, and Advocacy

• Provide strategic leadership for Toxic-Free Future’s Washington state policy work, developing and advancing legislative, regulatory, and administrative strategies that prevent toxic chemical pollution and accelerate the transition to safer chemicals and materials.
• Provide legal and policy analysis of statutes, regulations, proposed legislation, agency authorities, federal preemption, and other issues affecting Toxic-Free Future’s policy priorities.
• Play a leadership role in implementation and strengthening of Washington’s landmark Safer Products for Washington program, including engagement with the Washington Department of Ecology and other state agencies.
• Develop and advance legislative and regulatory strategies addressing priority toxic chemicals and plastics, transparency, safer solutions, and corporate accountability.
• Draft and review legislation, regulatory comments, testimony, policy briefs, fact sheets, and other legal and policy materials.
• Coordinate and work with other organizations that pursue litigation on toxic chemical issues.
• Represent Toxic-Free Future with legislators, legislative staff, state agencies, the Governor’s office, coalitions, and other decision-makers and stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with advocacy organizations, community partners, public health leaders, scientists, and other allies and help develop effective coalitions to advance policy priorities.
• Track emerging legal and policy developments and identify opportunities to strengthen Washington leadership and translate successful approaches into models for other states and federal action.

Organizational and Strategic Support

As a senior member of Toxic-Free Future’s team, the Senior Policy Counsel will also contribute to broader organizational priorities and help strengthen the effectiveness and impact of our work.

Responsibilities may include:

• Provide strategic advice and legal and policy expertise to organizational leadership and program teams on emerging issues, opportunities, and risks.
• Collaborate across Toxic-Free Future’s science, market transformation, communications, organizing, and national policy work to develop integrated strategies and campaigns.
• Support federal and multi-state policy work when legal or policy expertise can strengthen Toxic-Free Future’s advocacy.
• Help translate complex legal and policy issues into clear, accessible information for partners, funders, policymakers, the media, and the public.
• Represent Toxic-Free Future at meetings, conferences, briefings, coalition gatherings, and other external events.
• Contribute to organizational planning, priority setting, and evaluation of new policy and program opportunities.
• Support development and fundraising efforts by contributing policy expertise to grant proposals, reports, funder briefings, and other materials as needed.
• Participate actively in a collaborative organizational culture and contribute to shared responsibilities and major organizational initiatives.

Qualifications

Required

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) from an accredited law school.
• Five to ten years of relevant professional experience in environmental or public health litigation, and/or policy and advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience analyzing statutes, regulations, legislation, or administrative policy.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute sophisticated policy and political strategies, including assessing the political landscape, identifying opportunities and barriers, building support among diverse stakeholders, and adapting strategies as conditions change.
• Strong understanding of legislative and regulatory processes.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, writing, and communication skills.
• Ability to translate complex legal and policy issues into clear, practical strategies and accessible communications.
• Excellent judgment and political acumen, including the ability to navigate complex or sensitive policy issues and identify strategic opportunities.
• Experience developing or implementing advocacy strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work effectively with policymakers, government agencies, advocates, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced advocacy environment.
• Strong commitment to Toxic-Free Future's mission of protecting people and the environment from toxic chemicals and pollution.

Preferred

• Experience with Washington state legislative or regulatory processes.
• Experience working on environmental health, chemicals policy, consumer products, prevention, environmental law, or related issues.
• Familiarity with administrative rulemaking and agency implementation of environmental or public health laws.
• Experience drafting legislation, regulatory comments, testimony, or other legal and policy materials.
• Experience working in coalitions or with nonprofit advocacy organizations.
• Knowledge of federal environmental statutes, especially the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), and federal preemption issues.
• Experience working collaboratively with scientists or translating complex scientific evidence into policy.

COMPENSATION

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $125,000-$135,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Toxic-Free Future offers a hybrid work environment and generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, retirement, paid vacation, and a wellness benefit.

Toxic-Free Future is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, caregiver or family responsibilities, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Toxic-Free Future offers a hybrid work environment and generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, retirement, paid vacation, and a wellness benefit.