Staff or Senior Attorney - Alaska

Salary Range: Staff Attorney: $69,000 - $85,000; Senior Attorney: $85,000 - $125,000

Location: This is a remote position. Applicants residing anywhere in Alaska strongly preferred and will be given priority; exceptional candidates located outside of Alaska are invited to apply.

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 Staff or Senior Attorney will work as part of a highly motivated, dynamic, and supportive team in the Alaska program to protect Alaska’s wildlife, public lands, and oceans. Organizational priorities in Alaska including phasing out fossil fuels, protecting and recovering imperiled species and their habitat, fighting destructive fisheries and toxic mining projects, defending old growth forests, advocating for habitat-focused restoration, and halting other harmful development. The main duties of this role include impact litigation, administrative advocacy, and advancing environmental campaigns. The attorney will build and maintain effective relationships with partners, including Alaska Native Tribes and Native organizations, conduct media advocacy, and engage the public through campaign activities. The ideal candidate will have excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills and be a proactive self-starter, with an ability to think strategically and creatively. The position may require work on other organizational priorities as well. The attorney will report to and work closely with the Alaska Director, collaborate with the Alaska Staff Attorney, and will work with other programs at the Center to advance Alaska litigation and campaigns, including the Oceans, Public Lands, Climate Law Institute, Endangered Species, and Carnivore Conservation programs. This is a remote work position with a home office stipend.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with Alaska and other Center program staff and attorneys to identify, develop and litigate cases for the protection of Alaska’s wildlife, lands, and oceans;
• Track and draft legal and/or scientific comments on environmental analyses, permitting processes, proposed rules, and other actions across numerous state and federal regulatory agencies;
• Advocate for administrative and legislative policies through scientific and legal comments, petitions for rulemakings, oral testimony, and policy analysis.
• Write Endangered Species Act listing petitions to protect imperiled species and their habitat;
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and activists, Tribes, scientists, agency personnel, and decisionmakers;
• Represent the Center in coalitions and meetings related to active campaigns and litigation;
• Conduct media advocacy, including writing press releases, fact sheets, drafting opinion editorials, and delivering effective statements to reporters;
• Engage the public through campaign activities such as action alerts and public speaking;
• Produce consistently high-quality work, including delivering regular legal work such as briefs, memos, petitions, technical comment letters, or oral arguments, as needed;
• Collaborate with the Alaska Director to develop the Center’s Alaska goals, priorities, and strategies, and provide legal and policy expertise and support for the Alaska Director;
• Collaborate regularly, including case development, feedback and review of writing, and strategic thinking, with the Alaska Staff Attorney;
• May include supervision of law clerks and legal fellows;
• Occasional travel required (meetings, conferences, hearings, oral arguments, field visits, etc.);
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Law school graduate admitted to the Alaska bar;
• Minimum three years of civil litigation experience for Staff Attorney and eight years for Senior Attorney, environmental and natural resources law experience highly preferred;
• Experience with Alaska-specific laws, including the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act and Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act highly preferred.
• Familiarity working with Alaska Native Tribes, organizations, and communities preferred.
• Excellent writing, communication, research, and oral advocacy skills;
• Proactive approach to identify opportunities, solve problems, and take initiative to drive projects forward;
• Strong work ethic, time management, and organizational skills;
• Ability to develop cases and manage a full docket;
• Scientific literacy with a background in wildlife, natural resources, or climate science;
• 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;

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will work remotely from a home office, with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday with some morning, night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines. Stable and fast internet from your home office is required (the Center provides a home office stipend). The position will require travel within Alaska for meetings, conferences, hearing, field visits, and court appearances – sometimes to rural locations on rough roads and/or using boats or small planes for access. Also includes some travel down to the lower 48 for meetings and conferences.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

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

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 [X] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

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

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

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

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.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Application process:

Please apply online (https://biologicaldiversity.bamboohr.com/careers/111?source=aWQ9Mjc%3D) by submitting a cover letter, resume, three references, three legal writing samples where you were the primary author, and your earliest possible start date. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis; the position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

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.