Application Guide
How to Apply for Oceans Staff Attorney
at Center for Biological Diversity
🏢 About Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity is a national nonprofit known for its aggressive, science-based legal advocacy to protect endangered species and wild places. Working here means joining a team of passionate attorneys and activists who use the law to confront the climate crisis and hold government and industry accountable. The organization's commitment to creative, high-impact litigation makes it a unique place for lawyers who want to drive systemic change.
About This Role
As the Oceans Staff Attorney, you will lead litigation and advocacy campaigns to phase out offshore oil and gas drilling, protecting marine species like whales, sea turtles, and coral reefs from pollution, noise, and habitat destruction. Your work will directly challenge federal permits, push for stronger regulations, and support frontline communities fighting fossil fuel extraction. This role offers the opportunity to shape national ocean policy through strategic lawsuits and coalition building.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with a team check-in on Zoom to discuss ongoing cases and advocacy deadlines. You could spend the morning drafting legal comments on a federal environmental impact statement for a new drilling project, then join a call with coalition partners to coordinate a press strategy. Afternoon might involve reviewing discovery documents for a pending lawsuit or preparing talking points for a media interview, followed by research on a novel legal theory to challenge a drilling permit.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Center for Biological Diversity Is Looking For
- An attorney with 3+ years of civil litigation experience, ideally in environmental or administrative law, who is comfortable in federal court and has a track record of case management from filing to appeal.
- A strategic thinker who can identify leverage points in regulatory processes, craft compelling legal arguments, and coordinate with scientists, policy experts, and community organizers to build powerful cases.
- An excellent writer and oral advocate who can distill complex legal issues for media, policymakers, and the public, and who thrives on public speaking and media engagement.
- A self-starter who can work independently in a remote setting, prioritize competing deadlines, and collaborate effectively across teams and time zones.
📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Biological Diversity
Tailor your resume to highlight any experience with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), or Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA), as these are central to the role.
In your cover letter, explicitly name a recent offshore drilling issue (e.g., Project Willow in Alaska or Gulf of Mexico lease sales) and explain how you would approach it legally or strategically.
Showcase any work with coalition building or community engagement, as the role involves partnering with frontline groups and policy leaders.
If you have published legal writing (e.g., blog posts, op-eds, amicus briefs), include links to demonstrate your ability to communicate to non-legal audiences.
Mention your bar membership in California, DC, or another relevant jurisdiction early in your application; if you are not yet admitted, explain your plan to gain admission promptly.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your passion for ocean conservation and specific knowledge of threats from offshore oil and gas, including impacts on marine species and frontline communities.', 'Concrete examples of litigation or advocacy experience that demonstrate your ability to manage complex cases and achieve tangible outcomes.', "Your familiarity with the Center for Biological Diversity's work, such as its successful lawsuits to protect polar bears or its campaign against seismic blasting.", 'Your collaborative approach and ability to work with diverse stakeholders, from scientists to local residents, to build powerful campaigns.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the Center for Biological Diversity's recent victories and active campaigns on its Oceans program page, especially regarding offshore drilling and seismic testing.
- → Read the Center's comments on the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's (BOEM) five-year leasing plan and its litigation history under OCSLA.
- → Familiarize yourself with key partner organizations like Earthjustice, Oceana, or local Gulf Coast groups to understand the coalition landscape.
- → Research the specific threats to marine species in the areas where offshore drilling is proposed, such as the Arctic, Gulf of Mexico, and Pacific coast.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a generic cover letter that does not mention the Center for Biological Diversity or offshore drilling specifically; this signals lack of genuine interest.
- Overemphasizing corporate or transactional law experience without connecting it to public interest or environmental litigation.
- Failing to address the remote work component—not discussing how you will manage time, communicate, and stay engaged with a team across time zones.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Center for Biological Diversity!