Staff Attorney

Job Title: Staff Attorney

Supervisor: Deputy  Director

Compensation: $78,000 to $87,000 (depending on experience); generous benefits include fully paid health & dental insurance with Health Saving Account contributions, a matching Simple IRA retirement plan, 20 days of personal leave per year, 12 days of sick leave per year, 15 paid holidays, and flexibility in work schedules, including a four-day work week.   

Classification: Full Time, Permanent 

Work Location: Statewide 

About Wild Montana and Wild Montana Action Fund:

Wild Montana unites and mobilizes communities to keep Montana wild. We work across the state and beyond to secure a future where people and wildlife flourish because public lands and waters are wild and connected, and all communities can enjoy the quality of life these lands and waters provide. Our work safeguards wildlands, secures wildlife habitat and migration corridors, and keeps headwaters and streams running cold, clear, and connected. 

Wild Montana Action Fund (WMAF) builds political power to protect public lands and wild places across the state by elevating the voices of Montanans who cherish our outdoor way of life.

Summary of Position:

The staff attorney is an energetic leader driving litigation strategy and conservation campaigns across the organization. They work with a wide range of coalitions, elected officials, partner organizations, and communicate with the general public.

The staff attorney works with the deputy director and other program directors to advance conservation outcomes on public lands through administrative advocacy, agency engagement, rulemaking, policy development, and legal and legislative strategy. This position uses legal expertise to shape public policy, legislation, and agency implementation of conservation laws. The staff attorney collaborates with the state and federal policy directors to respond to agency planning processes and projects and supports all program staff with legal and policy research and analysis.

The staff attorney will identify emerging conservation policy opportunities, and develop policy solutions to conserve federal public lands in Montana. They collaborate with staff across the organization and maintain effective relationships with other program directors as well as organizing, administrative, communications, and development staff.  The staff attorney also builds and maintains collaborative relationships with partners, key stakeholders, and leaders across the state.

This position’s duties and responsibilities support both Wild Montana and the Wild Montana Action Fund (Action Fund). 

Major Duties and Responsibilities 

• Work with the deputy director to evaluate, recommend, and develop strategies for legal action for the board of directors.
• Work with staff to provide programmatic legal strategy and analysis, including advising advocacy staff on statutory authorities.
• Conduct legal research and document review, analyze bills and administrative rules, draft legal filings, and submit FOIA requests.
• Support legislative priorities with policy and legal expertise at the state and federal levels, including drafting legislative language.
• Provide technical policy and legal support to the federal policy director on agency planning processes and projects, including drafting and reviewing organizational comments as needed.
• Identify emerging conservation policy opportunities and design solutions to support the organization’s goal of conserving Montana’s public lands.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key partner organizations, coalition members, and community leaders necessary for achieving campaign goals and objectives.

• Serve as a spokesperson for Wild Montana and the Action Fund when appropriate.
• Conduct research and analysis supporting political and electoral work.
• Support ballot initiatives and public policy campaigns where appropriate.
• Work with the communication staff to ensure communication goals are being achieved.
• Produce white papers, issue briefs, and public-facing reports.
• Assist development staff in communicating with and reporting to donors and foundations.
• Work with the deputy director and other staff in the development of program budgets and manage and track expenses, as appropriate.
• Track and report outputs and progress to goals as necessary.
• Support the board of directors, as needed.

Qualifications/Abilities:

• Proven ability to perform the major duties and responsibilities above, including 3-5 years of applicable experience.
• Extensive experience in successful environmental advocacy and public policy.
• Comprehensive knowledge of state and national public land issues.
• Ability to work collaboratively with conservation and community partners.
• Ability to effectively work with a diverse range of people and groups.
• Ability to draft written materials that advance the mission, including policy papers, technical comments, and legislation.
• Ability to develop and manage program budgets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

 

Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of work time, as well as the willingness to work nights and weekends when needed.
• This position can live anywhere within the state of Montana.
• Valid United States issued driver’s license and be insurable.
• Licensed and admitted to practice law in the State of Montana.