Oceans Special Project Attorney

Biological Diversity; Oakland, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA contributions

PTO & holidays

Job summary

Center for Biological Diversity seeks an Oceans Special Project Attorney to join the Oceans program. The two-year, full-time position will work with our team to defend marine wildlife and habitats, including coral reefs, sea turtles, and whales, using environmental law and advocacy.

Under supervision, you will conduct legal research, draft memos, handle litigation, and participate in administrative advocacy, policy development, and outreach.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree.
• Bar admission in CA or DC is a plus.
• 2–5 years civil litigation experience; environmental law preferred.
• Strong legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Familiarity with environmental laws.
• Commitment to environmental protection.
• Strong work ethic with time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Commitment to justice, equity and inclusion.
• Scientific literacy preferred.
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week.

Responsibilities

• Litigate under the supervision of experienced attorneys, including oral argument.
• Conduct legal research and writing; prepare memos and filings.
• Administrative advocacy on rulemakings and environmental reviews.
• Coordinate with partners to advance ocean policy reform.
• Develop policy and legal strategies to protect biodiversity.
• Research and develop expertise on ocean issues.
• Prepare press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, and white papers.
• Support other project work as priorities shift.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Civil litigation experience

Environmental law

Legal research/writing

Oral advocacy

Team collaboration

Time management

Equity & inclusion

Scientific literacy

40+ hours/week

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Bar admission (CA or DC)

Job description

Job Title: Oceans Special Project Attorney

Program: Oceans

Employment Type: [X] Salary [ ] Hourly exempt – this position is not eligible for over-time

[ ] Part-time [X] Full-time

[ ] Temporary [X] Regular* - two-year temporary position

Reports to: Oceans Director

Direct Reports to this position: N/A

Salary Range: Dependent on MOU

Location: Remote or Oakland

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? [] Yes [X] No

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY

The attorney will work as part of a team using law and advocacy to address threats and increase marine wildlife and habitat protections. The Oceans program leverages our bedrock environmental laws to protect coral reefs, sea turtles, whales and other marine animals. They will work with experienced attorneys who will provide supervision, training, and mentorship. The attorney will assist with legal research and writing, litigation, and administrative advocacy. This is a two-year position with opportunities to learn unique skills from our motivated, experienced, and creative staff of lawyers, scientists, campaigners, and organizers to launch their careers in public interest environmental law.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Litigate under the supervision of experienced attorneys, including oral argument;
• Conduct legal research and writing, including preparing legal memos, brief writing, cite checking, and preparing filings;
• Administrative advocacy including legal and scientific comments on proposed rulemakings and environmental review documents and oral testimony;
• Coordinate with our team and partner organizations to advance an ocean policy reform agenda, including developing policy and legal strategies that protect biodiversity;
• Research and develop expertise on ocean issues and science;
• Prepare communications such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, action alerts and white papers;
• Complete other project work outside of the program as needed to meet changing organizational priorities;
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Juris Doctor degree
• Admission to the bar of your state, California or District of Columbia bar membership a plus
• Two to five years of civil litigation experience, environmental law preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Familiarity with environmental laws.
• A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.
• A strong work ethic, time management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of an effective team.
• Competence in and commitment to principles of justice, equity and inclusion.
• Scientific literacy is preferred.
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Travel required, at times on short notice. Requires work in an office setting, with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday with some night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines. May need to use typical office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Exchange accurate information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Communicate and express oneself with others: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Interaction with other colleagues: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Working on a computer: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Typing: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Writing by hand: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Sitting: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Walking: [X] Rarely [] Occasionally [] Frequently

Standing: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [X] Rarely [] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Climbing up or down stairs: [] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently (for those by an office)

Bending: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Squatting: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Reaching overhead: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Repetitive motions: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Ability to drive: [] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [ ] Rarely [] Occasionally [X] Frequently

Travel required: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Night or weekend work: [ ] Rarely [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Work in outdoor conditions: [X] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Other? _________________ [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

BENEFITS

(Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)

For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• 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.

For all regular staff

• 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.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

Exempt Classification: Exempt

Applicable Exemption: Professional

Reasoning behind this classification: Attorneys are classified as “learned professionals” as their work is primarily intellectual and requires a high level of specialized knowledge gained through extensive education.