Application Guide

How to Apply for Staff Attorney - Urban WIldlands

at Center for Biological Diversity

🏢 About Center for Biological Diversity

The Center for Biological Diversity stands out for its aggressive, science-based approach to protecting endangered species through strategic litigation and advocacy. Unlike many environmental organizations, they combine legal expertise with scientific rigor to directly challenge destructive projects and policies, making them particularly effective at achieving tangible conservation outcomes.

About This Role

This Staff Attorney role focuses on protecting urban wildlands by working directly with frontline communities and coalitions to oppose destructive development through litigation and administrative actions. You'll be instrumental in developing legal strategies that align with the Center's campaign goals, making this a high-impact position for someone passionate about environmental justice and ecosystem preservation.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might involve reviewing environmental impact documents for proposed developments, drafting legal arguments for an upcoming administrative hearing, and coordinating with community partners about a coalition strategy. You could spend the afternoon researching scientific literature to support a petition and preparing testimony for a regulatory agency hearing.

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🎯 Who Center for Biological Diversity Is Looking For

  • A California-licensed attorney with 2+ years of civil litigation experience, preferably involving environmental law or administrative procedures
  • Someone who can translate complex scientific concepts into compelling legal arguments for both courts and public communications
  • A collaborative advocate comfortable working with diverse community groups and coalition partners on environmental justice issues
  • A strategic thinker who can identify litigation opportunities that advance specific conservation campaigns rather than pursuing cases in isolation

📝 Tips for Applying to Center for Biological Diversity

1

Highlight specific experience with California environmental laws (CEQA, ESA, Clean Water Act) and administrative rulemaking processes

2

Demonstrate your ability to work with community groups by describing past coalition work or community-based legal advocacy

3

Show scientific literacy by mentioning specific environmental science concepts you've worked with (e.g., habitat fragmentation, species population dynamics)

4

Reference the Center's current campaigns related to urban wildlands or similar issues to show you've done your homework

5

Include writing samples that demonstrate both legal precision and persuasive advocacy suitable for public audiences

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your experience with California environmental law and administrative procedures', 'Specific examples of working with community groups or coalitions on environmental issues', "How your litigation experience aligns with the Center's campaign-based approach to conservation", 'Your ability to bridge legal and scientific analysis in environmental advocacy']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → The Center's current urban wildlands campaigns and recent litigation victories in this area
  • → Their specific approach to working with frontline communities (look for case studies or blog posts about community partnerships)
  • → The organization's stance on key environmental policies affecting California and urban ecosystems
  • → Recent administrative actions or rulemakings they've commented on related to urban development or habitat protection
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience with California's environmental review process (CEQA) and how you've challenged inadequate reviews
2 How would you approach building relationships with frontline communities affected by urban development projects?
3 Walk us through how you would develop a litigation strategy for protecting a specific urban wildland area
4 What experience do you have drafting scientific comments on environmental impact statements or proposed rules?
5 How do you balance aggressive litigation with maintaining productive working relationships with agency staff?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on federal environmental law without demonstrating California-specific expertise
  • Presenting litigation experience in isolation without showing how it advances broader campaign goals
  • Failing to demonstrate understanding of the scientific aspects of environmental law
  • Using generic environmental advocacy language without tailoring it to the Center's specific strategic approach

📅 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:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

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Good luck with your application to Center for Biological Diversity!

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