Save California Salmon (SCS) is seeking a Staff Attorney to join our Policy Team. The Staff Attorney works directly with SCS’ Executive Director and legal, education and policy teams to review, analyze, and draft comments, policies, appeals, and litigation for SCS campaigns and issues and ensure compliance with all non-profit legal requirements. The Staff Attorney is responsible for overseeing any litigation, appeals, or legal hearings that the organization engages in, and also provides legal support and analysis to assist SCS in fulfilling its purpose. The Staff Attorney may provide oral public comments, provide policy analysis, draft written comments for various existing and proposed water projects, organize and attend coalition meetings, and serve as a media spokesperson on policy or legal issues.
Reports to: Executive Director
Works from: Sacramento, CA or Northern California
Classification: Exempt, Full-Time, Hybrid (Remote/In-person)
Starting Salary: $70,000 – 80,000 annually DPE, with benefits
Responsibilities:
Legal – 40% of time
- Draft, review, and file legal documents
- Represent SCS in court and other related legal proceedings
- Communicate with the media on relevant to legal issues with the director’s prior approval
- Review and interpret water, environmental, and Tribal rights laws and policies that may affect our work, along with non-profit compliance and requirements.
- Review Contracts
- Stay updated on relevant changes to laws that may affect our work.
Policy and Campaigns – 45% of time
- Prepare NEPA and CEQA comments and retain standing on important environmental processes
- Supervise contract expert witnesses, attorneys, and legal interns
- Assist with action alerts on SCS campaigns and emerging threats/issues
- Engage in localized issues and build capacity in Northern California
- Support ED and policy staff in evaluating projects and submitting comments
- Review other SCS team members’ work to ensure legal accuracy and alignment with future litigation needs
Organizational and Administrative Responsibilities – 15% of time
- Maintain active California Bar Association license
- Help Admin staff access and comply with non-profit legal requirements
- Network and become familiar with CA decision makers
- Support ED and Board in assessing and responding to other legal issues – risk assessment, insurance requirements or limitations,, referrals to other legal specialists, etc.
- Conduct administrative tasks required to perform work
- Attend and present at key conferences, meetings, and funder meetings
- Support SCS’ Northern California operations
- Stay informed of current federal, state, and local policies and legal precedent via engaging in ongoing professional development, including CLEs
Required Qualifications*:
- Law degree and license to practice law from the California Bar Association
- 1-3 years of experience working in water, science and Indigenous rights policies and their implementation, preferably in California. Long-term internships can be applied.
- Knowledge of California water, land, and Indigenous rights laws and related agencies
- Knowledge of federal environmental and Tribal law
- Experience writing scientific and policy related documents or analyzing these documents
- Proficiency with Google Suite and strong computer skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- High level of attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
- Experience working with Tribes, Tribal organizations and people
- Must be both self-motivated and a supportive team player
- Must be able to lift up to 20 pound boxes and drive for long periods of time
- Must be able to travel within state
- Experience with public speaking and giving testimony
Desired Qualifications:
- 2-3 years of legal practice in a relevant field
- Experience developing trainings and teaching policy advocacy
- Experience with legislative procedures
- Experience in community organizing
- Experience working with public agencies, Tribal and non-Tribal representatives and educational institutions
- Experience in communications related to science and/or policy issues
- Experience in storytelling with communities of color
* We recognize that exceptional candidates may not meet every qualification. We are open to training the right candidate who demonstrates a strong commitment to SCS’s mission.
How To Apply:
Please email your cover letter, resume, two writing samples, and contact information to: Brittany Souza, Operations Manager, at brittany@californiasalmon.org. Preferred work samples will demonstrate proficiency in environmental justice and/or environmental law. Please feel free to email with any questions.
Deadline To Apply: June 24th, 2025. Open until filled but early applications will receive special consideration.
