NRDC is seeking an experienced, full-time attorney to advance the work of its Pacific Ocean Initiative, part of the Oceans Division of the Nature Program. This Attorney will focus primarily on promoting sustainable fisheries, opposing destructive fishing practices, both on the West Coast and nationally. There may also be opportunities for work on other oceans issues, such as promoting seafood traceability and fighting illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, through U.S. or international policy. The Attorney will represent NRDC before agencies and management bodies, in court, and in federal and state legislatures. While the Attorney may have opportunities to litigate in pursuit of Oceans Division goals, this position is primarily a program attorney position, with a focus on advocacy and policy work. The position will be based in NRDC’s San Francisco, CA office and reports to the Director of the Pacific Ocean Initiative. As appropriate, the Attorney may have the opportunity to work on other ocean conservation issues in the Pacific.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Play a central role in evaluating, developing, and implementing work as part of NRDC’s Pacific Ocean Initiative, working in close collaboration with Pacific Ocean Initiative Director and NRDC’s Oceans team. This work will likely have a focus on legal and policy strategies to improve fisheries management, but it may also include other issues that are crucial to ocean health and conservation in the Pacific and that advance NRDC’s strategic plan.
- Advocate with federal and state agencies, such as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and federal fisheries management councils, for significant opportunities to advance NRDC’s oceans priorities, such as precautionary fisheries management, effective monitoring and accountability in West Coast fisheries, and protection of marine habitat and species.
- Play a leadership role in developing NRDC’s Pacific fisheries strategy and identifying opportunities for engagement. Advocate for sustainable fishing practices and other priority issues in the U.S. Pacific Ocean in a variety of fora, including state agencies and federal bodies (such as federal fisheries management councils). Lead NRDC’s engagement in California state fisheries management, including identifying significant issues for advocacy and developing and implementing policy and legal strategies.
- Engage with nationwide federal rulemakings and executive branch actions to oppose harmful rollbacks and press for improved U.S. fisheries management and ocean conservation. As needed, collaborate with NRDC colleagues and other NGOs to defend and improve the Magnuson-Stevens Act and its subsidiary regulations, and provide legal and technical analysis of proposed regulatory and legislative changes, as needed.
- As relevant, develop and pursue strategic litigation to advance NRDC’s Oceans goals, including improving U.S. fisheries management and seafood markets, with a focus on strategic locations and precedent-setting legal claims.
- Track legal, policy, scientific, and economic analyses relevant to priority ocean policy issues, and synthesize that information for use in advocacy.
- Provide legal, policy, and/or fisheries science expertise to the Oceans Program.
- Develop relationships with agency staff, state officials, conservation groups, scientists, fishermen, and legislative offices to advance NRDC’s Oceans goals on the West Coast and use these relationships to advocate for conservation outcomes on priority issues. Network with managers, conservation advocates, scientists, fishermen, industry, and decision-makers to build support for ocean conservation.
- Identify and evaluate opportunities for NRDC to advance its Oceans priorities internationally, including areas such as improving fisheries management, advancing ocean conservation and resilience in response to climate change, addressing illegal fishing and improving traceability in seafood markets, and/or combating plastic pollution. Collaborate with Pacific Ocean Initiative Director and Oceans team colleagues to develop and implement these strategies, as relevant.
Educational Background:
J.D. required.
Skills/Experience:
- Must have 5 to 10 years of experience in environmental/administrative law, including litigation, preferably in the oceans field.
- Strong advocacy skills, including negotiation, agency advocacy, and legislative lobbying.
- Proven ability to develop and implement policy, advocacy and/or legal strategies to advance conservation objectives.
- Effective communication skills, including excellent public speaking and writing skills.
- Ability to conduct in-depth and efficient legal and/or policy research and analysis.
- High comfort level and facility with science.
- Some knowledge of U.S. fisheries management and ocean policy preferred. Working knowledge of other major environmental laws and policies a plus.
- Ability to work well with colleagues and with diverse stakeholders in many different modes (from collaborative to advocacy situations).
- Must be able to work independently, as well as collaboratively in teams.
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
May 24 2018
Active Until:
Jun 24 2018
Hiring Organization:
Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc.
industry:
Nonprofit