Center for Biological Diversity
The Center works through science, law and creative media to secure a future for wildlife and wild places.
Staff Attorney – Urban Wildlands
Location
California
Posted
88 days ago
Salary
$72.5K - $89.5K / year
Professional Certificate2 yrs expEnglish
Job Description
• Work with frontline communities and conservation organizations in local, regional, and statewide coalitions to proactively protect vulnerable ecosystems while also opposing destructive and polluting projects;
• Identify, develop, and litigate cases and administrative actions to further the program’s campaign goals;
• Draft legal and/or scientific comments on proposed rules and environmental review documents;
• Advocate for conservation policies, including through oral testimony, policy analysis, petitions for rulemaking, and effective communications;
• Engage in media advocacy by writing press releases, crafting op-eds, developing relationships with media contacts, and delivering effective, timely statements to reporters;
• Raise awareness among the public and opinion leaders through campaign activities such as public speaking, action alerts, reports, and meetings;
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, coalitions, government officials, and scientists;
• Produce consistently high-quality work, including typically delivering weekly legal work such as a brief, memo, petition, technical comment letter, or oral argument as needed;
• May include supervision of law clerks and legal fellows;
• Complete other project work outside of the program as needed to meet changing organizational priorities.
Job Requirements
- Law school graduate admitted to California state bar;
- Minimum two years of civil litigation experience;
- Preferred familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Administrative Procedure Act, Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act;
- Excellent writing, communication, research, and oral advocacy skills;
- Strong work ethic, time management, and organizational skills;
- Proactive approach to identify opportunities, solve problems, and take initiative to drive projects forward;
- Ability to develop cases and manage a full docket;
- Familiarity with environmental laws;
- A high degree of scientific literacy;
- A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection;
- Ability to work independently and as a part of an effective team;
- Competence in and commitment to principles of justice, equity and inclusion;
- Track record of effective coalition work preferred;
- Ability to work 40+ hours per week.
Benefits
- Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
- Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
- Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
- Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
- Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long Term Disability provided for all staff.
- Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
- Discounted premiums for pet discount program.
- 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
- Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
- Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
- Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
- After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
- Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.