Job Details

Senior Attorney

Program: Endangered Species

Employment Type: Full-time, Regular

Reports to: Endangered Species Director

Location: Remote, Portland, OR

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? Yes

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

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample. The position will remain open until filled with applications reviewed on a rolling basis. The desired start date is June 8, 2026. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls please.

Position Summary: The Senior Attorney advocates for the conservation of endangered species utilizing administrative and legal tools, including the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Administrative Procedures Act and others with a goal of protecting endangered species from the many threats they face. The ideal candidate will have excellent research, writing, and public speaking skills with an ability to think strategically and creatively.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Expand the Center's work to protect endangered species.
• Identify and carry out opportunities to protect endangered species from habitat destruction, pollution, exploitation and other threats through litigation and other advocacy.
• Identify, develop, and litigate cases and administrative actions to further campaign goals.
• Mentor new program attorneys.
• Develop detailed knowledge of the status of endangered species across the country.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, coalitions, government officials, scientists.
• Utilize litigation and media campaigns to highlight the threats to imperiled wildlife.
• Advocate for comprehensive protection of endangered species as a response to litigation and other pressure.
• 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

• Law school graduate admitted to a relevant state bar
• At least eight years of experience as an environmental attorney
• Experience litigating under the Endangered Species Act
• Knowledge of the status, biology of, and threats to endangered species
• Background in leading litigation projects and working collaboratively with peers
• Excellent writing, communication, research, and oral advocacy skills
• Strong work ethic, time management, and organizational skills
• Proactive approach to identify opportunities, solve problems, and take initiative to drive projects forward
• Proven ability to develop complex cases and manage a full docket
• A high degree of scientific literacy
• 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
• Ability to work 40+ hours per week

Working Conditions: Semi-frequent travel required for hearings and meetings, 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: Frequently

Exchange accurate information: Frequently

Communicate and express oneself with others: Frequently

Interaction with other colleagues: Frequently

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: Frequently

Physical: Reading (ingest data): Frequently

Working on a computer: Frequently

Typing: Frequently

Writing by hand: Occasionally

Sitting: Frequently

Walking: Occasionally

Standing: Occasionally

Hiking: Occasionally

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: Rarely

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: Rarely

Climbing up or down stairs: Rarely

Bending: Occasionally

Squatting: Occasionally

Reaching overhead: Occasionally

Repetitive motions: Frequently

Ability to drive: Occasionally

Location Conditions: In person required (versus remote work): Occasionally

Travel required: Frequently

Night or weekend work: Occasionally

Work in outdoor conditions: Occasionally

Benefits: 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