Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) is America's largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, and outdoor enthusiasts of all stripes. The NWF's mission is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world through programming focused on conserving wildlife, restoring habitats and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.

To support our mission, we are seeking a full-time Public Lands Counsel to join our Public Lands Team. The successful candidate will be the organization's lead counsel on public lands issues, including reviewing federal administrative actions and proposed policy and helping to shape and inform the public lands agenda for the NWF. You will be an integral member of our public lands team and will work with our affiliates and other departments across the organization.  Your areas of focus will include but not be limited to: conserving and enhancing wildlife corridors; energy development, mining, and other infrastructure on federal lands; conserving and restoring important landscapes critical for wildlife; retaining and expanding protected lands through administrative and legislative action; improving access to public lands and waters. You will also serve on NWF's litigation team that assesses when and how the organization should take legal action.  The position reports to the Associate Vice President for Public Lands.  

Principle Duties (major areas of responsibility):

• Serve as NWF's legal advisor on the actions of the Department of Interior and the Forest Service and other federal or state agencies that affect public lands. Review administrative actions as well as proposed laws to assess their potential effects on public lands, waters, and wildlife and advise the public lands team on how best to respond.
• Prepare, or oversee preparation of, technical comments on agency actions, and occasionally prepare written testimony or letters for hearings on Capitol Hill, and letters for policy makers within federal agencies. From sage grouse conservation plan amendments, to oil and gas lease sales, to environmental impact statements, to land management plans, this is the person anyone on the public lands team or from our affiliates will turn to in order to ask, "what does this really mean?" or "does this adhere to NEPA [or fill in the blank on the law]?"
• Coordinate strategy with and provide NWF leadership among colleague organizations and coalitions in conservation communities.
• Serve as the client contact for public lands litigation to which NWF becomes a party.
• Represent NWF before administrative agencies, tribunals, and federal courts as circumstances warrant.
• Review NWF materials and communications for accuracy. Write blog posts as needed.
• Provide counsel and technical support to other NWF Departments when issues intersect with public lands matters. This can include, but is not limited to, drafting and reviewing written products, conducting legal research, and attending internal and external meetings (including federal, state, and local policy makers), as needed. 
• Engage in the implementation of NWF’s policy objectives.
• Other duties, as appropriate.

Qualifications:

• Juris doctorate and bachelor's degrees. An emphasis on environment and natural resources preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of 3 years of legal practice in the environment and natural resource field, preferably working on public lands issues. Active state law license required. Relevant policy practice will be considered as a substitute for some legal practice. Advocacy experience a plus.
• The successful candidate will be equally comfortable assessing the intricacies of an Environmental Impact Statement and explaining that document in a compelling way to the general public.
• Deep understanding of the western United States.
• Practical experience working with federal laws governing public land management preferred, including the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and to a lesser extent the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA), and National Forest Management Act (NFMA).
• General familiarity with other federal laws that influence public land management decisions is preferred but not required. These federal laws include, but are not limited to, the Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, Mineral Leasing Act, and the Mining Act of 1872.
• Able to respond to the short-term while playing the long game for conservation.
• Ability to work effectively across constituencies with a broad range of stakeholders and experience engaging with diverse partners.

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s required equity competencies at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Location and Work Mode:

This position will be based in Washington, DC. The National Wildlife Federation is committed to a flexible and empowered work environment with an authentic community of care for all staff. In this position, the employee may work fully office based, hybrid, or fully remote) to be decided jointly with their supervisor in the final stages of the interview process. For more information on Work Modes, please review the benefits section of our careers page: https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Travel Requirements:

This role will require occasional travel, with an average of once per month, for a day or two.

Physical Requirements of the Job:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about the workspace. The position requires mobility, including moving materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the work “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits:

This position pays $90,000 to $115,000, commensurate upon experience.

We are proud of our designation by Mogul as a Top 100 Workplace with the Best Benefits in 2021!  We value work-life balance and a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible scheduling.  We want you to be able to integrate work and personal life with attention to your self-care, so that your work schedule is not depleting.  We offer benefits so you feel restored and fueled through the day and week. 

We offer these supports to help manage your mental, emotional, and physical health:  

• Paid time off: Vacation that starts off at three weeks accrual based on a full-time schedule, unlimited wellbeing (this time can be used for physical, spiritual, emotional, cultural, religious or financial wellbeing for yourself, a partner, or family member – including pets), and 11 holidays.
• We close down for a paid winter break between December 25 to January 1 to recognize end of-year stress, and time for reflection, rejuvenation, and spending time with family.
• Up to 16 weeks of fully paid Family and Medical Leave
• Low cost health, dental, and vision insurance options – all outpatient mental health is covered at in-network rates
• Therapist available at no cost
• Pet insurance and discount perk program
• Annual wellbeing allowance

In addition to your salary, we offer the following supports to your personal finances:

• Retirement plan with immediate match and vesting
• Annual year end retirement contribution
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption and Surrogacy assistance
• Pet adoption stipend
• Student Loan management

Applicants are invited to learn more about National Wildlife Federation’s benefits package at https://www.nwf.org/About-Us/Careers.

Application:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  Candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. The National Wildlife Federation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment with regard to any classes or characteristics protected by law. 

We recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. Your experience, which may include paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work, helps build the competencies and knowledge that translates to our openings.  Whether you’re new to the field, returning to work after a gap in your employment, or are taking the next step in your career path, if you believe you could excel in this role we encourage you to apply! Diversity of experience and skills combined with passion is a key to innovation and a culture of excellence.  To be eligible for this role you must be a U.S. citizen or have a valid work authorization to work in the U.S.

Please let us know if you require accommodations during the application or interview process by reaching us at hrhelp@nwf.org or 703-438-6244.

If selected for this position, a background check will be conducted.