Urban Wildlands Staff Attorney

Staff Attorney

Program: Urban Wildlands

Employment Type: Salary, Full-time, Regular, Exempt – not eligible for overtime

Reports To: Program Director

Location: Remote, California (Preference Sacramento, Bay Area, or Los Angeles region)

Salary Range: $72,500 - $89,500

Because this position is in the Bargaining Unit, some fees may be required depending on where the candidate lives as a condition of employment.

Overview

The Staff Attorney will work as part of a team in the Urban Wildlands program using law, science, media outreach and advocacy to protect the environment. The program works to protect wildlife and habitats vulnerable to unsustainable development while promoting healthy, climate‑resilient communities. Attorneys bring cutting‑edge cases designed to have a conservation impact that addresses key threats to biodiversity. The main duties of this role include impact litigation, administrative advocacy, and advancing environmental campaigns. The ideal candidate has excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills and can think strategically and creatively.

Key Responsibilities

• Work with frontline communities and conservation organizations in local, regional, and statewide coalitions to proactively protect vulnerable ecosystems while 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 through oral testimony, policy analysis, rule‑making petitions, and effective communications.
• Engage in media advocacy by writing press releases, crafting op‑eds, developing relationships with media contacts, and delivering timely statements to reporters.
• Raise public and opinion‑leader awareness through campaign activities such as public speaking, action alerts, reports, and meetings.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, coalitions, government officials, and scientists.
• Consistently produce high‑quality work, 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.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Law school graduate admitted to the 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 identifying opportunities, solving problems, and taking initiative to drive projects forward.
• Ability to develop cases and manage a full docket.
• Familiarity with environmental laws.
• High degree of scientific literacy.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.
• Ability to work independently and as 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.

Physical Requirements

The role may involve frequent computer use, occasional driving, moderate lifting (up to 25–75 lbs), occasional climbing stairs, and traveling to hearings and meetings on short notice.

Benefits

• Fully paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for staff and greatly discounted for families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) for eligible wellness expenses.
• Center‑paid premiums for Short Term and Long Term Disability 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 15 days annually, potentially higher with experience; paid sick days accrue at 10 days per year.
• Center‑paid Time Off for parental, personal, caretaker, and pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, 12‑week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

EEO Statement

The Center for Biological Diversity is an equal‑opportunity employer. The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires and welcomes anyone interested to apply to any of its open positions, regardless of current work authorization.