Staff Attorney - Environmental Law

Western Environmental Law Center•Portland, OR

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Western Environmental Law Center (WELC) is seeking a Staff Attorney with 2+ years of experience to join their Wildlands and Wildlife Program. This full-time, exempt position will focus on strategic legal advocacy concerning public lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the western U.S. Responsibilities include litigation and administrative engagement to protect federal public lands, wildlife habitat, species, and water. The role also involves engagement in federal and state-level legislation, rulemaking, and policymaking, which may include defending existing laws or advocating for improvements. The position's focus will adapt to changing circumstances and opportunities, and successful candidates may have their distinct skills and interests shape their docket. The Staff Attorney will collaborate with WELC leadership, development, communications, and finance staff, represent WELC publicly, and participate in organizational events. The role requires providing a full range of legal services, including litigation, policy advocacy, and administrative action, while staying current on relevant legal, policy, and social developments. Collaboration with internal staff, partner organizations, and clients is essential. The position is based in WELC's Portland office, or potentially another WELC office for an exceptional candidate, primarily working Monday to Friday business hours, with occasional night and weekend hours required. Limited travel (2-3 weeks per year) is expected, including some overnight and weekend travel. Standard office physical demands apply, and WELC will provide reasonable accommodations.

Requirements

Law degree from an accredited law school.
Admission to and good standing with the state bar in Oregon, and/or one of the states where we practice and willingness and ability to obtain membership to the Oregon state bar at the earliest.
Lived experience within or past work experience in partnership with people and communities of diverse backgrounds and experience, particularly in the western U.S.
Two or more years relevant attorney experience.
Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy.
Experience with and knowledge of public lands, waters, species, and community challenges and opportunities in the western U.S.
Experience with and knowledge of the relevant agencies, laws, and regulations employed in litigation to protect public lands, waters, and species.
Ability and willingness to use a complete set of legal advocacy tools including litigation, policy, and administrative advocacy.
A commitment to conceptualizing and implementing legal strategies that further equity, inclusion, and justice, including through the just treatment and meaningful involvement of clients, partners, and frontline community groups and individuals.
Dynamic and empathetic skills to foster relationships with partners, clients, agency staff, and community members.
Demonstrated ability to work in complex, potentially high-conflict, multi-dimensional arenas involving a broad array of organizations and interests.
Eagerness to mentor, support, and help develop newer attorneys and a self-awareness, motivation, and desire to seek opportunities for your own growth and development.
An interest in and understanding of science and other technical fields and their interplay with public interest environmental law.
Ability to work independently and proactively, including a willingness to be flexible and adaptive when needed.
Desire to work on and contribute to a team. This includes learning from others, giving and receiving support and feedback, and active, constructive engagement in organizational discussions to advance the organization's mission and contribute to its cohesion.
Highly organized and intellectually curious.
Demonstrated commitment to WELC's mission and strategies and the public interest, as well as a love for the land, waters, species, and communities of the western U. S.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional candidate in the right situation may be considered for other WELC office locations.
An additional, non-legal writing sample is also welcomed to illustrate the candidate's background, views, or ideas.

Responsibilities

Litigation and administrative engagement protecting federal public lands, wildlife habitat, species, and water.
Engagement in federal and potentially state-level legislation, rulemaking, and policymaking to protect public lands, water, and species.
Defense of existing laws and regulations as well as efforts to improve the same.
Provide a full range of legal services on behalf of WELC, including primarily litigation, but also policy advocacy, and administrative action.
Stay apprised of relevant law, policy, social, and other developments.
Work collaboratively with staff across the organization, as well as with partner organizations and clients.
Support and coordinate with WELC leadership, development, communications, and finance staff.
Represent WELC in public and private settings.
Participate in retreats, trainings, and other organizational events.
Identify and advance opportunities to shape WELC's organizational and strategic direction.
Share perspectives and become a trusted and respected leader in their field and within their scope of work.

Benefits

Health coverage (100% employer paid premiums)
Vision coverage (100% employer paid premiums)
Dental coverage (100% employer paid premiums)
Life coverage (100% employer paid premiums)
Disability coverage (100% employer paid premiums)
401(k) retirement plan with a 4% employer match
22 days combined of paid annual vacation and personal leave
13 days of paid holiday leave
Paid sick leave
Paid long-term leave policy (3 months sabbatical leave for every 5 years of employment)