How to apply for Public Lands Attorney (Staff or Senior)

About Center for Biological Diversity

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that works to secure a future for all species on the brink of extinction. Its Great Basin program focuses on protecting endangered species by preserving critical lands, waters, and the climate. This role offers a chance to do public lands litigation in a region where those issues are central.

About the role

This is a full-time attorney position with the Great Basin program, reporting to the Great Basin Director. You will handle public lands legal work tied to biodiversity and climate. The position is remote but restricted to Nevada, Utah, California, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, or Idaho. It is a bargaining unit role, and some fees may apply depending on your location.

A typical day

A typical day may involve drafting legal briefs, reviewing administrative records, or preparing for litigation related to public lands and endangered species in the Great Basin. You would work remotely, coordinate with the Great Basin Director, and manage your own casework. Because the role is new, ask during the interview how the team communicates and what a typical case timeline looks like.

Who Center for Biological Diversity is looking for

• A licensed attorney with litigation experience in public lands, environmental, or natural resources law.
• Someone who can work remotely and is based in one of the listed states: Nevada, Utah, California, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, or Idaho.
• A candidate who is comfortable with the salary range for the level they are applying to: Staff Attorney ($72,500–$89,500) or Senior Attorney ($89,500–$131,500).
• A writer who can produce strong legal writing samples and cover letters without needing phone calls for follow-up.

Tips for this application

• Apply online and submit all three required items: cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Missing any one of these will likely disqualify you.
• In your cover letter, state clearly whether you are applying for the Staff Attorney or Senior Attorney level. The salary ranges and experience expectations differ.
• Confirm in your application that you live in one of the eight allowed states. This is a hard requirement for the remote position.
• Use your writing sample to show legal analysis relevant to public lands, endangered species, or environmental law. A generic memo will be less effective.
• Submit as soon as possible. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the desired start date is as soon as possible. Only selected applicants will be contacted, and no phone calls are accepted.

What to cover in your cover letter

State the specific attorney level you are applying for and why your experience fits it. Describe your litigation or legal work on public lands, endangered species, or climate issues in the Great Basin or similar regions. Confirm your residence in one of the eight allowed states. Explain why you want to work for the Center for Biological Diversity's Great Basin program specifically, not just any environmental law job.

Research before applying

• Read the Center for Biological Diversity's website, focusing on the Great Basin program and its recent public lands work.
• Look up the Center's past litigation and campaigns on endangered species and climate in the Great Basin states.
• Check the salary ranges for Staff Attorney versus Senior Attorney and decide which level matches your experience before applying.
• Review the bargaining unit status and ask or research what fees may apply based on your state of residence.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• Your experience with public lands litigation and how it relates to the Great Basin region.
• How you would handle cases involving endangered species, critical lands, or climate under the Center for Biological Diversity's approach.
• Your ability to work remotely and independently while reporting to a program director.
• Your understanding of the bargaining unit role and any questions about fees based on your location.
• Why you are interested in the Center for Biological Diversity specifically, and how your writing sample reflects the work you would do.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Submitting an application without a writing sample or cover letter. The job posting requires all three documents.
• Applying from a state outside the eight allowed states. The remote position is restricted to Nevada, Utah, California, Arizona, Oregon, Colorado, New Mexico, or Idaho.
• Calling the organization to follow up. The posting explicitly says no telephone calls please and only selected applicants will be contacted.