WildEarth Guardians jobs – come work for us!

‌

Staff Attorney

Work Level: Full-Time Exempt

Location: Santa Fe, NM; Denver, CO; Missoula, MT; Portland, OR

Position Summary:

The American West with its millions of acres of public lands, incredible diversity of ecosystems, and vibrant healthy communities needs dedicated attorneys to protect it. At a time when so much of what we value is in peril, WildEarth Guardians seeks a dynamic and motivated public interest-focused attorney with at least five years of litigation or equivalent experience to join our team as a staff attorney. As part of the Guardians’ Litigation Team, the Staff Attorney will litigate cases for Guardians’ Wildlife program—with a secondary litigation focus on the Wild Places program. This is a litigation position on Guardians’ Litigation Team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Litigate cases primarily in federal court, but also potentially in state court and at the administrative level, pursuant to laws governing management and resource protection on public lands, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and other environmental and land use laws.
• Develop and maintain relationships with outside counsel representing Guardians and work cooperatively as co-counsel with outside counsel.
• Evaluate litigation proposals from programs by conducting factual and legal research as needed in furtherance of such evaluation.
• Manage and mentor legal interns and contract legal assistance when appropriate.
• Willingness to travel around the United States for case-related matters. Guardians litigates in multiple western states including Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, and Montana, as well as in the District of Columbia.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• Bar membership in at least one western state or District of Columbia
• Minimum of 5 years experience in litigation or a combination of litigation-adjacent experience such as administrative appeals/advocacy, record review, commenting on agency actions. Environmental and natural resources experience preferred.
• Ability to handle a busy litigation docket
• Solid skills in organization, writing, research, analysis, and oral advocacy
• Passion for protecting the American West
• Capacity to embrace conflict and cooperate without compromising Guardians’ values
• Emotional maturity and self-awareness
• Willingness to take calculated risks
• Integrity, kindness, and sense of humor
• Commitment to justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively

Compensation and Benefits:

Guardians offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including full health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid vacation, health and family leave, a sabbatical policy, paid holidays, disability insurance, and a fabulous work environment that accommodates a flexible work schedule. Salary negotiable based on experience.

As an advocate for the health of the natural world, WildEarth Guardians affirms biodiversity, ecological unity, and the interdependence of all life. We highly value diverse perspectives and experiences. We are committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion, both within our organization and externally. WildEarth Guardians is an equal opportunity employer and actively strives to ensure fair and equal treatment of its employees and constituents regardless of differences based on culture, socioeconomic status, race, marital or family situation, gender, age, ethnicity, religious beliefs, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

To Apply:

Please submit applications electronically to: apply@wildearthguardians.org. The hiring committee will begin reviewing applications on April 15, 2019, and the position will remain open until filled. No phone calls or in-person visits, please.

Applications should include, in a single pdf, the following: cover letter explaining (1) why you want to work for Guardians in general, and specifically on the Litigation Team, (2) your experience litigating ESA cases and other cases under various public lands statutes, and (3) your preferred office location; resume; one legal writing sample that is predominantly your work; and contact and relationship information for three professional references.

‌

2019 Youth Conservation Corps

Valles Caldera National Preserve and Santa Fe National Forest Watershed Improvement Project

WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE?

From May 6, 2019 until October 2019, WildEarth Guardians is organizing a Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program in New Mexico. The work project will be located on the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VALLE) and Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) in the Jemez Mountains. The project will focus on harvesting and planting riparian vegetation, fencing maintenance, erosion control work, weed removal, trail maintenance, hazard tree removal, sawyer work in various locations on the VALLE and SFNF. WildEarth Guardians’ YCC program strives to provide employment and job training for youth interested in a natural resource management career. The program is a combination of training and fieldwork. The WildEarth Guardians’ YCC program is funded through the New Mexico Youth Conservation Corps Commission.

WHO SHOULD APPLY?

Individuals between the ages of 18 and 25, who will be able to commute daily to various locations within the VALLE and SFNF.  Applicants must be unemployed at the time of application and a New Mexico resident. WildEarth Guardians will select 8-10 crew-members.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN?

The WildEarth Guardians’ YCC program includes training opportunities throughout the work period in the areas of Forestry, Hydrology, Wildlife Biology and Rangeland sciences. Work projects will require extensive manual labor and may include forestry work, building or removing fencing, weed removal and planting native vegetation. Participants will participate in a Forest Workers Safety Certification Course, Chainsaw Certification Course, Feller Certification, and become certified in First Aid and CPR.

WHEN DO YOU NEED TO BE AVAILABLE?

All crew-members will be required to be available on the jobsite Monday through Friday, starting on Monday May 6, 2019, for orientation and training, and work through October 2019.

WHAT ABOUT LODGING, FOOD, AND GEAR?

Crew-members will commute daily to the jobsite. The following equipment must be provided by the corps member:

• Solid work boots – Preferably Steel Toe
• Long sleeve shirt
• Rain/Snow Gear
• Long pants
• Daily lunch

WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?

• Hourly wage of $11.50 with an opportunity of a pay increase based on performance
• Training in Restoration Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife Biology and Rangeland Sciences – all skills that are relevant to a variety of careers
• First Aid and CPR certification
• Forest Workers Safety and Chainsaw certifications
• The ability to work as a team to improve the health and utility of New Mexico’s public lands

HOW TO GET MORE INFORMATION

You can get more information by visiting WildEarth Guardians’ website or by contacting Jim Matison via e-mail at jmatison@wildearthguardians.org.

HOW DO YOU APPLY?

You may obtain an application by visiting WildEarth Guardians’ website at wildearthguardians.org/ycc.

Applications must be received by WildEarth Guardians no later than March 31, 2019.

Applications may be submitted via email to Jim Matison at jmatison@wildearthguardians.org

Or sent via US Mail to:

WildEarth Guardians

Attn: Jim Matison

516 Alto Street

Santa Fe, NM 87501

WHEN DO YOU HEAR BACK FROM US?

We will review all applications and select candidates for interviews immediately after the March 31st deadline. We will call you by April 5th, if you are selected for an interview. Interviews will be conducted during the following week. Successful applicants will be invited to participate in the program.