Sr. Counsel, Environmental Health & Safety
Posted Sep 24 Full TimeFremont, California What to Expect
Tesla is seeking a dynamic, strategic, and experienced attorney to support, collaborate with, and guide business partners on environmental and occupational health and safety legal compliance and enforcement matters applicable to automobile manufacturing, service & delivery, lithium battery development, renewable energy products, and sustainable recycling programs for end-of-life product disposal.
In addition, this attorney will manage outside counsel and work collaboratively with other internal attorneys, legal professionals, and business partners across the company.
The candidate must be ready to put on steel-toed boots and a hardhat and traverse our facilities to learn the business and help support operations on EHS legal matters. The position will be based in Fremont, CA and travel will be required to other company locations as needed.
What You’ll Do
- Reporting to Tesla’s Associate General Counsel for Environment, Health & Safety, and Security (EHSS), provide EHSS legal support for Tesla’s operations, including counseling on all aspects of air, waste, chemical, and water-related regulatory compliance, permitting, and enforcement issues
- Collaborate with the EHSS team on Company-wide EHSS initiatives and work closely with EHSS business partners including the EHSS VP and senior leaders to anticipate, assess, and manage legal impacts on major business decisions
- Counsel and train internal business partners on EHS laws, regulations, compliance and safety-related and "whistleblower" internal investigations while staying current on emerging trends in all facets of environmental & health and safety laws and regulations and reporting trends and development to EHSS leadership
- Oversee outside counsel in connection with EHS regulatory agency matters, including investigating and responding to requests for information, notices of complaint, and citations from OSHA, environmental, and EHSS-related agencies
- Directly participate in informal conferences and similar proceedings with a wide array of Environmental and Health & Safety regulatory agencies
- Oversee legal support for EHS due diligence in real estate and mergers and acquisitions transactions; oversee existing site remediation projects
- Provide legal compliance advice, drafting, and implementation support on EHSS policies and procedures
What You’ll Bring
- At least 10 years of work experience primarily related to environmental and workplace safety and health issues in the manufacturing, construction, or energy industry. In-house counsel experience preferred.
- The preferred candidate will have substantial work experience on sophisticated legal matters in a combination of a law firm, a state or federal agency responsible for environmental, safety, and health regulatory oversight, particularly in the CAA, TSCA, RCRA, CWA, and other regulatory programs as well as OSHA enforcement and compliance, and experience as in-house counsel, ideally in the manufacturing, construction, or energy industry
- Demonstrated ability to work independently while being able to contribute successfully to cross-functional teams, and to work efficiently, prioritize workflow, meet demanding deadlines, and manage multi-faceted projects in a fast-paced environment, where demands and priorities change rapidly
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex legal and technical concepts to a variety of internal business partners with varying degress of familiarity with the field of EHSS
- Ability to quickly absorb material and distill pertinent information to provide timely and effective counsel
- Comfortable rolling up his/her sleeves and being hands-on, with a mature, “can-do” attitude and the ability to instill confidence in oneself among business partners
- Juris Doctor Degree and admission in good standing in at least one U.S. state bar jurisdiction
Compensation and Benefits
Benefits
Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
- Aetna PPO and HSA plans > 2 medical plan options with $0 payroll deduction
- Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
- Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
- Company Paid (Health Savings Account) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High Deductible Aetna medical plan with HSA
- Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
- LGBTQ+ care concierge services
- 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
- Company paid Basic Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions), and Paid Holidays
- Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
- Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
- Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
- Tesla Babies program
- Commuter benefits
- Employee discounts and perks program
Expected Compensation
$172,000 - $431,640/annual salary, depending on level + cash and stock awards + benefits
Pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment.
Tesla is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other factor protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.
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