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

University of Virginia • Charlottesville, VA

10d • $19 - $21

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 focuses on reviewing Virginia state and local law, as well as significant examples from other U.S. jurisdictions, concerning tree protection, zoning, carbon mitigation, stormwater attenuation, and climate resilience. The project team will use this review to develop a legal framework supporting urban heat mitigation through urban tree and forest conservation and afforestation at state and local levels.

Working with IEN attorneys, the student will examine the multiple, interconnected scales of Virginia laws and regulations affecting urban tree protection, explore legal innovations supporting conservation objectives, and engage with stakeholders from state and local government, affected communities, and nonprofit partners. The role is open only to current law students or students with a degree in law. It is scheduled for 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.

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.
• Submit a resume and cover letter.

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 in engagement with stakeholders from state and local government, affected communities, and nonprofit partners.
• Contribute to development of reports and public-facing materials.

What This Job Offers

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