JASON J. CZARNEZKI

Vermont Law School seeks an individual to join our dynamic and committed faculty, and to serve as the Faculty Director of the Vermont Law School U.S.-China Partnership for Environmental Law.

The Faculty Director will divide his or her time between traditional faculty roles of teaching and scholarship, and the additional role of Faculty Director of the VLS U.S.-China Partnership, a thriving program of U.S.-China environmental law faculty and student exchange, policy assistance, and capacity creation.  The faculty responsibilities include teaching at approximately half load and producing related scholarship.  The U.S.-China Partnership Faculty Directorship involves working with the Program Director to determine directions for the Partnership, establish and maintain relationships with funders and with Chinese partners in government, academia and the non-profit sector.

The Partnership trains Chinese attorneys, judges and scholars in environmental law, brings Chinese environmental law professors and students to Vermont, sends Vermont Law students and faculty to China, and produces collaborations and scholarship among its participants.  The current program personnel include Siu Tip Lam, the Program Director.  Ms. Lam is a former Massachusetts state assistant attorney general in the environmental field with capability in Mandarin and Cantonese.  The program staff includes three other individuals, Chinese nationals with environmental law advanced degrees or training.  As Program Director, Ms. Lam is responsible for developing and implementing the program activities and managing the existing grants and funders.  The Faculty Director will focus on teaching in both Vermont and China and on generating related scholarship, as well as developing relationships with Chinese academics and potential funders of the U.S.-China Partnership.  He/she will work with Ms. Lam and the current staff to further develop the VLS curriculum on Chinese law, build relationships with potential funders, and determine the future direction of the program, including the formulation of strategic partnerships leading to a potential on-the-ground presence in China.

Duties and Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities associated with this position include:

• Teach two classes most years (including a core course, U.S. and/or Chinese environmental law courses or international law course).
• Research and produce academic publications.
• Represent the U.S.-China Partnership in the development of relationships with Chinese academics and potential funders.
• Develop strategic partnerships to explore possibility of building an on-the-ground presence in China.
• Help guide and supervise research by students and/or scholars.

Education, Skills and Experience

This position requires significant experience with environmental issues as well as the desire and temperament to be a good mentor for the development of new professionals in the field.  Successful candidates should possess a record of professional productivity such as academic publications and the following qualifications:

• JD degree
• Knowledge of Chinese and American law
• Knowledge of broad environmental and energy law issues in China and the U.S.
• Knowledge of international law
• Proficiency in Mandarin Chinese and/or Cantonese highly preferred
• Achievement in research, writing, or scholarship
• Some fundraising experience
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal communication and writing skills, as well as the ability to develop effective multi-agency/institutional relationships
• Interest and willingness to regularly travel to China.

For more information about Vermont Law School and the U.S.-China Partnership for Environmental Law, please visit the U.S.-China Partnership for Environmental Law on the web.

To apply, please send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and references to Diane Hayes, Director of Human Resources, Vermont Law School, P.O. Box 96, South Royalton, VT 05068.  Electronic applications are preferred and can be sent to jobs@vermontlaw.edu.  Applications will be considered as they are submitted.  The position will remain open until filled.