Law & Policy Student Research Assistant - Urban Forest Conservation & Afforestation (Graduate Student Wage)

University of Virginia • Charlottesville, VA

10d

About The Position

The Institute for Engagement + Negotiation (IEN) is hiring a Student Research Assistant to support development of a legal framework for valuing, conserving, and augmenting urban forest canopies as heat-mitigation infrastructure. The position is open only to current law students or students with a degree in law.

Working with IEN attorneys, the assistant will review Virginia state and local law and significant examples from other U.S. jurisdictions concerning tree protection, zoning, carbon mitigation, stormwater attenuation, and climate resilience. The project team will use this legal and policy review to develop a framework supporting urban heat mitigation through urban tree and forest conservation and afforestation at state and local levels. The role offers an opportunity to understand the interconnected scales of Virginia law and regulation affecting urban trees, explore legal innovations supporting conservation, and engage with government, community, and nonprofit stakeholders.

The position is 8–10 hours per week during the Spring 2027 semester, with an opportunity to continue into Summer 2027 based on performance and fit. Pay is $19 per hour for first-year graduate students and $21 per hour for second- or third-year graduate students. Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. The minimum requirements also specify a current graduate student at UVA; no licensure is required.

Requirements

• Open only to current law students or students with a degree in law.
• Current graduate student at the University of Virginia.
• Demonstrated experience in legal research and writing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively.
• Experience with note-taking and synthesis.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Resume and cover letter required.

Nice To Haves

• Interest or experience in conservation and/or land use law.
• Knowledge of Virginia law related to tree protection or related subjects.
• Background in science or economics and its application in law and policy.
• Experience preparing legal reports and distilling legal analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research into existing Virginia laws and regulations, and notable examples from other U.S. jurisdictions.
• Participate in weekly project team meetings and assist with preparing agendas, meeting materials, and summaries.
• Assist with engagement involving stakeholders from state and local government, affected communities, and nonprofit partners.
• Contribute to the development of reports and public-facing materials.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed