Job Title: Law Clerk – Summer 2027

Program: Region - Florida and Caribbean

Employment Type: [ ] Salary [ X ] Hourly (non-exempt – this position is eligible for over time)

[ X ] Part-time [X] Full-time

[ X ] Temporary [ ] Regular

Reports to: Florida and Caribbean Director

Direct Reports to this position: None

Salary Range: $19.61 / hour

Location: Remote

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit? [ ] Yes [ X ] No

The Center for Biological Diversity’s Florida & Caribbean office seeks a diligent and enthusiastic Law Clerk with a demonstrated interest in public interest environmental law to assist program attorneys with work to protect terrestrial, aquatic, and marine species and their habitat in Florida and the Caribbean.

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a pdf that includes a cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcripts, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is May 19, 2027. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

ABOUT THE CENTER

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, activism and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY

Assignments will center around litigation, administrative advocacy, and policy development to address a variety of issues relevant to the region, including but not limited to: endangered species conservation, land use, climate change, freshwater and wetland protection, toxic pollution, and landscape-scale conservation. Law clerks will primarily work with regional program attorneys but may also have opportunities to work with staff in other conservation programs.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research and draft legal memoranda to inform litigation and conservation advocacy
• Research and draft filings and petitions (e.g., notices of intent to sue, complaints, briefs, regulatory petitions)
• Draft formal comments in response to federal, state, and local agency proposals
• Assist with interviewing experts
• Investigate new matters
• Collaborate with coalitions and partners
• Advocate orally before federal, state, and local agencies (as opportunities arise)
• Observe court arguments and hearings (as opportunities arise)
• Assist with preparing creative media and educational materials for campaigns (as opportunities arise)
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned

AREAS IN WHICH SKILLS WILL BE GAINED

Clerks will gain experience in legal research and writing, and environmental advocacy, particularly in the natural resources area, drawing on litigation, science, media, and grassroots organizing strategies to fight for wildlife and their habitats.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Must be a 2L, 3L, or LLM student during the Fall 2027 semester
• Strong research and writing skills
• Comfort with independent and self-motivated work
• Familiarity with environmental and administrative law preferred
• Background in environmental or biological studies or related experience preferred

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position is primarily remote, meaning you will be working in a remote office environment of your choosing. There will be opportunities for in-person meetings, attendance at hearings, and field visits if candidates are in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. Litigation-related work will be completed under firm deadlines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. This is not a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

Cognitive

• Ability to process and analyze information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Exchange accurate information: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Communicate and express oneself with others: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Interaction with other colleagues: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Physical

• Reading (ingest data): [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Working on a computer: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Typing: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Writing by hand: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Sitting: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Walking: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Standing: [ ] Rarely [ X ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Hiking: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Climbing up or down stairs: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Bending: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Squatting: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Reaching overhead: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Repetitive motions: [ ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ X ] Frequently
• Ability to drive: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

Location Conditions

• In person required (versus remote work): [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Travel required: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Night or weekend work: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently
• Work in outdoor conditions: [ X ] Rarely [ ] Occasionally [ ] Frequently

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)

For all temporary staff

• 403(b) plan.
• Paid sick days accrue at a rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Non-Exempt

Applicable Exemption: N/A

Reasoning behind this classification: Transactional administrative work with minimal discretion, work is predominately routine in nature and the output can generally be standardized in relation to a given period of time.