NRDC is a non-profit environmental advocacy organization. We use law, science, and the support of 3.1 million members and online activists to protect the planet's wildlife and wild places and to ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. NRDC was founded in 1970 and our people helped write some of America's bedrock environmental laws; our ocean conservation advocacy continues to play a major role in shaping ocean policy in the U.S., including through litigation. Today, our team of more than 700 lawyers, scientists, economists, policy advocates, communications experts, and others work across the United States and the globe from our offices in Beijing; Chicago; New Delhi; New York; San Francisco; Santa Monica; and Washington, D.C. 

NRDC is seeking a Senior Attorney to work with the Oceans team in any of our U.S. offices.  

Position Summary 

The Senior Attorney will play a key role in NRDC’s oceans-related federal litigation and regulatory advocacy as a senior member of the Oceans Division. The Senior Attorney will join a team of experienced ocean conservation advocates and litigators and help lead our ocean defense work, including to uphold bedrock conservation laws and protect ocean wildlife. This position will also have the opportunity to collaborate with teams across NRDC, including with experienced attorneys in the NRDC’s Litigation Program and expert communications and campaign staff. 

This is a limited term 2 year position with possibility of renewal. 

The position you are applying for is part of the bargaining unit represented by The Washington Baltimore News Guild (WBNG / The Newsguild-CWA Local 32035).  

• Represent NRDC in litigation, including legal research and analysis, briefing, and oral argument.  
• Collaborate with Litigation Program attorneys and other Oceans attorneys and staff on litigation matters. 
• Monitor unlawful federal deregulatory actions and other threats to administrative agencies and the civil service. 
• Participate in regulatory proceedings that would roll back ocean protections, including to develop prospective litigation. 
• Provide counsel and guidance to Oceans staff on legal topics and related policy issues.   
• Collaborate with NRDC’s experts to refine litigation strategies and ensure alignment with non-litigation advocacy. 
• Develop and nurture relationships with outside groups and allies on joint initiatives and litigations.  

This Senior Attorney position is designed for mid-career attorneys with at least 7 years of legal experience. In assessing candidates, we look for:  

• Juris Doctor degree and admission to the Bar of the jurisdiction in which they intend to practice, or willingness to complete the requirements for admission to that Bar.  
• 7+ years of legal advocacy experience, including substantial direct litigation experience.  
• Knowledge of administrative law and federal court practice.   
• Excellent writing, research, and public speaking skills.   
• Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment, handle multiple assignments and meet deadlines with strong attention to detail.   
• Good strategic judgment, integrity, professional discretion, and ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters.   
• Commitment to NRDC’s values and mission.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment.

Frequently: Perform desk-based computer tasks

Frequently: Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary

Frequently: Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers

Occasionally: Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations.  Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.  

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $130,000 to $150,000.  

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

As a science-based organization, NRDC aims to do our part to help contain the COVID-19 public health crisis. For the sake of health, safety, and equity, we ask that people be vaccinated unless they have an approved medical or religious accommodation or other exemption in accordance with state and local law. We consider a person to be vaccinated two weeks after receiving one full course of a CDC-approved vaccine. In accordance with state or local law, new hires will be asked to attest to vaccination, those wishing to do so may request medical or religious accommodations or other exemptions via NRDC Employee Relations. NRDC treats all vaccine-related data confidentially, in keeping with local, state, and federal laws. 

To apply, visit www.nrdc.org/careers and upload your résumé and cover letter (cover letter must be submitted in order for your application to be considered). Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at 1-800-889-4422. 

For more about NRDC, visit www.nrdc.org.