Description:

Position Summary:
The legal fellowship is a one-year position with the possibility of an extension to two years based in the Defenders' Washington DC office. The position is intended for a highly qualified individual committed to wildlife and natural resource conservation. Primary emphasis is on providing legal research, writing, and litigation support for cases involving federal wildlife and natural resources laws to conserve biological diversity and on reviewing, researching, and drafting comments on proposed agency actions to support legal advocacy efforts designed to advance Defenders' conservation goals. The fellowship generally starts in August annually.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Perform legal research, draft memoranda and pleadings, review and comment on administrative agency actions, and complete other work as assigned by supervisor;
Assist in cases brought under the Endangered Species Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Clean Water Act, National Forest Management Act, National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act, Administrative Procedure Act, Freedom of Information Act, and other federal statutes;
Participate in the development and advancement of Defenders' conservation goals; and
Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education: Juris Doctor; state bar license or in process of being admitted to a state bar required.
Experience: up to three years of relevant experience, including experience in federal natural resources, public lands, and wildlife conservation laws.

Application Requirement: CV or resume, cover letter, and a legal writing sample (10 pages or less.) Please submit all three documents in your application to be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for All Defenders
https://defenders.org/knowledge-skills-and-abilities

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities for Professional 3
Administrative:

Ability to accurately maintain electronic and physical records
Anticipate and meet the needs of internal and/or external stakeholders delivering excellent service

Communication:

Ability to clearly and accurately communicate with internal and external stakeholders
Ability to articulate complex ideas clearly, accurately and concisely
Ability to convey effective messages to broad and diverse constituencies
Ability and willingness to effectively represent Defenders' interests in external environments
Ability to exert influence and build consensus with internal and external stakeholders

Critical Thinking

Ability to handle sensitive and confidential matters with discretion
Strong research and data analysis skills, including ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to produce high quality work products in a consistent, efficient, accurate, and timely manner
Creative problem-solving and troubleshooting skills with willingness to experiment and innovate new methods.
Facilitate and promote the integration of diversity, equity and inclusion strategies into Defenders' work
Ability to independently exercise appropriate judgment in response to complex and/or fluid environments
Strategic thinker with the ability to create high-level strategy, identify organizational-level impact, and translate strategy into relatable points and action steps

Project Management

Ability to work well under pressure and tight deadlines while balancing competing assignments
Ability to remain flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities while remaining responsive to urgent requests
Ability to take ownership of a project or process and to use problem solving skills to resolve issues
Ability to manage deadlines on multiple cross-functional projects in a dynamic environment
Demonstrated ability in managing competing interests on complex issues
Ability to independently initiate project and initiative ideas; managing projects and initiatives through to completion
Ability to create and implement programs, initiatives, and/or systems which will result in organizational-wide impact; assess specific needs; design oversee implementation; establish benchmarks and track key performance indicators; provide recommendations for improvements; advocate and champion the program internally

Coalition and Community Engagement

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to form effective working relationships with diverse constituencies including federal/state agencies; elected officials and their staff; Defenders' members and donors; private landowners; hunters and anglers; community leaders; religious, scientific, and academic communities; and/or the general public
Ability to lead diverse stakeholders in collaborative activities, to anticipate issues impacting Defenders' mission and make recommendations within Defenders, other organizations, and coalitions
Networking skills to engage with leaders in the conservation community, federal and state agencies, NGOs, and other organizations

Conservation Knowledge

Familiarity with Defenders' legal, scientific, and/or political issues
Familiarity with national and regional social, political and ecological landscapes

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Legal Fellow
Experience in federal natural resources, public lands, and wildlife conservation laws.