Oceans Special Project Attorney

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

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is 10/12/2026. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

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

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: [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.

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.

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.