Southeast Attorney - Staff or Senior

Job Title: Staff or Senior Attorney

Program: Southeast Program

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

[ ] Part-time [X] Full-time

[ ] Temporary [X] Regular

Reports to: Southeast Program Director

Direct Reports to this position: none

Salary Range: Staff Attorney: $72,500 - $89,500; Senior Attorney: $89,500 - $131,500. depending on experience.

Location: Southeastern U.S., remote may be available

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

Job Classification: Staff or Senior Attorney

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

The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a Staff or Senior Attorney for its Southeast Program, focusing on legal advocacy for imperiled species and public lands in the Southeast United States. Primary duties of this position include impact litigation, administrative and policy advocacy, and strategic campaign planning to address key threats to imperiled species and advance program campaigns. This includes rapid response litigation, media outreach, and working within diverse coalitions. Familiarity with Southeast regional issues and dynamics is desired but not required.

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 as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

Deadline to apply: September 30, 2025

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 Southeast Program defends imperiled species and their habitats and seizes proactive opportunities to protect them. Attorneys at the Center bring cutting edge cases that are designed to have a conservation impact that addresses key threats to biodiversity. The Staff or Senior Attorney will manage an active docket of environmental cases; track relevant legislation and policy; and may participate in strategic litigation decision making for the program. The ideal candidate will have excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills with an ability to think strategically and creatively. Attorneys are motivated and use their experience in law and activism to develop cases and win campaigns. The working environment is dynamic, exciting, fun, and supportive.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with frontline communities and conservation organizations in local and regional coalitions to proactively protect vulnerable species, ecosystems, and public lands and waters while also opposing destructive projects;
• Identify, develop, and litigate cases, rulemaking petitions, and administrative actions to further the programs campaign goals;
• Draft legal and/or scientific comments on proposed rules and environmental review documents;
• Work closely with the Southeast Program Manager and other Center staff on legal and campaign strategies and actions;
• Draft legal briefs, petitions and technical comment letters on environmental issues, permitting processes, proposed rules, and other actions across numerous state and federal regulatory agencies;
• Produce consistently high-quality work, including delivering regular legal work such as briefs, memos, petitions, technical comment letters, or oral arguments, as needed;
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and activists and decisionmakers;
• Represent the Center in coalitions and meetings related to active campaigns and litigation;
• Conduct media advocacy, including drafting 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;
• Collaborate regularly, including on case development, feedback and review of writing, and strategic thinking, with the Southeast Program Manager and team;
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, coalitions, government officials, and scientists;
• 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.

Senior Attorney Specific Responsibilities

• Mentor and/or supervise law clerks, legal fellows, associate attorneys, staff attorneys and/or paralegals;
• Advise program staff and attorneys on environmental law matters, and review and provide feedback on legal documents;

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Law school graduate admitted to (or prepared to waiver into) bar in a state in the Southeast U.S.;
• Minimum two years of civil litigation experience for Staff Attorney and eight years for Senior Attorney;
• Environmental law experience at federal and/or state levels highly preferred, including familiarity with the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, Administrative Procedure Act, and National Environmental Policy Act;
• Familiarity working with communities in the Southeast preferred;
• Excellent writing, communication, research, and oral advocacy skills;
• Self-driven and 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 of multiple matters at once;
• Literacy in public lands and endangered species law and processes;
• A demonstrated commitment to social justice and environmental protection;
• Commitment to principles of justice, equity and inclusion;
• A high degree of scientific literacy;
• Ability to work independently and as a part of an effective and close-knit team.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position will preferably work from a regional office with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday with some morning, night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines, but the Program is open to remote work depending on circumstances, where stable and fast internet from your home office is required (the Center provides a home office stipend). The position will require travel for meetings, conferences, hearing, field visits, and court appearances.

You will need to travel to courthouses and various hearings and meetings. You will occasionally need to travel to remote locations on Tribal lands to meet with Tribal leaders. You will occasionally work in the field occasionally in the elements with nature.

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
• Hiking: [ ] Rarely [ x ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Climbing up or down stairs: [ ] Rarely [ x ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Bending: [ ] Rarely [ x ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Squatting: [ ] Rarely [ x ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Reaching overhead: [ x ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Repetitive motions: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ x ] Frequently
• Ability to drive: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ x ] 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: [ x ] Rarely [ ] 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.

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

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.