Staff Attorney or Associate Staff Attorney

Position available: Staff Attorney or Associate Staff Attorney

Desired start date: January 1, 2024 

About Central Oregon LandWatch

For more than 35 years, Central Oregon LandWatch has worked to defend and plan for our region’s livable future. As our population continues to grow, our region faces a critical need to ensure a balanced, sustainable, and planned approach that guides growth where it belongs and protects the land and water that sustain communities and ecosystems. Using land use law, policy, planning, and community organizing, Central Oregon LandWatch works to meet this need. Learn more at www.colw.org. 

Commitment to EDI Principles 

LandWatch is committed to advancing the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in our work. With the help of consultants and experts, we will develop an organization-wide action plan to ensure that our work enhances an environment where every Central Oregonian can reach their full potential. We are seeking a candidate who is willing to grow alongside their colleagues and actively contribute to this process. 

Summary of Position(s) 

Note: LandWatch is hiring one individual to fill either the Staff Attorney or Associate Staff Attorney position. The positions are similar, with the primary differences being experience, level of expertise, and ability to work independently on complex legal issues. Cover letters should state which position is sought. LandWatch will confirm with applicants who are selected for interviews which position they are being considered for.

Title: Staff Attorney or Associate Staff Attorney

Supervised by: Rural Lands Program Director

Status: full-time, 40hr/week, FLSA exempt, salaried 

Salary Range: 

• Staff Attorney: Negotiable starting at $80,000/year 
• Associate Staff Attorney: Negotiable starting at $65,000/year

Benefits 

100% employer-paid health/vision/dental insurance plus 50% for dependents/families; 4% employer-paid retirement match; 3 weeks paid vacation in the first year, 4 weeks in years 2-4, 5 weeks in years 5+; 10 paid holidays; 12 weeks (4 paid) family/medical leave policy; dog-friendly office space and other benefits offered by Embark Bend coworking space; commitment to professional development.

Our Ideal Candidate  

Studies show that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every qualification listed in a job description. Wondering whether you have the right credentials or background to apply? We value lived experience, are serious about embracing diversity, and are committed to building a team that represents our communities’ backgrounds. 

The Staff Attorney or Associate Staff Attorney is an integral part of the LandWatch team. As noted above, LandWatch is hiring one individual to fill either the Staff Attorney or Associate Staff Attorney job description, and cover letters should state which position is sought. Both job descriptions are below.  The position will primarily work in the Rural Lands program, but an applicant with the right experience and expertise will also have the opportunity to work in our Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water programs.  See www.colw.org for more information on our three programs.

Staff Attorney Job Description

The Staff Attorney works with a Program Director and legal staff to lead the development and prosecution of legal actions to uphold Oregon’s land use system to protect and defend Central Oregon’s private and public lands; works independently to provide legal advocacy on priority issues as determined by the Rural Lands Program Director, and potentially the Cities & Towns Program Director and Wildlands & Water Program Director, in conjunction with the Executive Director; develops close working relationships with stakeholders, subject-matter experts, and other lawyers, and expertise in the complex legal and regulatory frameworks surrounding land use planning and natural resource management practices; has excellent command of brief writing, oral argument, legal strategy, land use, local government, administrative, property, environmental, and/or natural resources law; and assists with development, communications, outreach and administrative duties. 

Job Responsibilities

Land Use Litigation (45%) 

• Identify legal claims in County land use applications. 
• Conduct legal research and writing to oppose identified threats to rural lands for use in  quasi-judicial and legislative land use processes. 
• Strategically appeal local land use decisions that do not comply with land use laws to support the Rural Lands program goals. Appeals are primarily to the Land Use Board of Appeals, and occasionally to the Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon Supreme Court.
• Develop strategic and persuasive cases that will further the goals of the organization  and Oregon’s land use system. 
• Represent the organization orally and in writing at local and state forums and tribunals. 
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with local and state government staff, elected officials, and other stakeholders.

Rural Lands Program Support (25%) 

• Monitor and review land use applications in Central Oregon’s three counties, track and  record progress of applications of interest, and identify threats to rural lands. 
• Review land use plan amendments proposed by counties on rural lands and provide  technical and legal comments where appropriate. 
• Work collaboratively with other Rural Lands team members to provide and receive  feedback on legal briefs and comments. 
• Conduct research on key issues and prepare reports, white papers, or other presentations to support the work of the Rural Lands Program. 
• Provide support with state legislative priorities during State legislative sessions. 
• Conduct research for local legislative advocacy and create goals and strategy for engagement.
• Work with the Rural Lands Program Director to create and carry out a work plan that aligns with the program’s strategic priorities. 
• Participate in weekly team meetings and regular check-ins with supervising Rural Lands  Program Director.
• Work with LandWatch’s Communications & Outreach Senior Manager to craft strategic  communications that support the Staff Attorney’s docket and the goals of the Rural Lands Program.

Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water Program support (20%) 

• In consultation with Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water Program Directors, conduct legal research and writing to oppose identified threats to urban lands, public lands, and water resources in the Central Oregon region. 
• Support administrative appeals and litigation of agency decisions that do not comply with state and/or federal law, including land use law, water law, the National Environmental Policy Act, National Forest Management Act, and Endangered Species Act, to support the Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water program goals.

Other (10%)

• Actively participate in weekly staff meetings, board meetings as necessary, work planning, DEI initiatives, and other organization-wide efforts. 
• Undertake any educational or development opportunities necessary to maintain accreditations. 
• Work with the Development Director to develop grant proposals and reports. 
• Perform duties required of all staff to support internal operations including submitting expense reports, invoice requests, reimbursement requests, and timesheets.

Required Qualifications for Staff Attorney position 

• JD degree and admission to the Oregon state bar required, or willingness to be admitted to the Oregon state bar within one year of employment. 
• At least four years of directly related work experience, which can include experience prior to and during law school, sufficient to be productive with little or no orientation/coaching. 
• Subject matter expertise in land use, local government, administrative, property, environmental, and/or natural resources law.

Associate Staff Attorney Job Description

The Associate Staff Attorney works under the direction of a Director and/or Staff Attorney to conduct research and writing that furthers COLW’s legal agenda; may handle case development, administrative comment writing, brief writing and other activities that support legal advocacy under the supervision of a Staff Attorney or external legal counsel; may independently carry legislative and policy advocacy responsibilities as assigned by a Director or Staff Attorney; may be responsible for case intake; assists with development, communications, outreach and administrative duties, as requested. 

Job Responsibilities

Land Use Litigation (45%) 

• Identify legal claims in County land use applications. 
• Conduct legal research and writing to oppose identified threats to rural lands for use in  quasi-judicial and legislative land use processes. 
• Strategically appeal to local land use decisions on rural lands that do not comply with land use laws to and support the Rural Lands program goals. Appeals are primarily to the Land Use Board of Appeals, and occasionally to the Oregon Court of Appeals and Oregon  Supreme Court.
• Develop strategic and persuasive cases that will further the goals of the organization and Oregon’s land use system. 
• Represent the organization orally and in writing at local and state forums and tribunals. 
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with local and state government staff, elected officials, and other stakeholders. 

Rural Lands Program Support (25%) 

• Monitor and review land use applications in Central Oregon’s three counties, track and  record progress of applications of interest, and identify threats to rural lands. 
• Review land use plan amendments proposed by counties on rural lands and provide  technical and legal comments where appropriate. 
• Work collaboratively with other Rural Lands team members to provide and receive  feedback on legal briefs and comments. 
• Conduct research on key issues and prepare reports, white papers, or other presentations to support the work of the Rural Lands Program. 
• Provide support with state legislative priorities during State legislative sessions. 
• Conduct research for local legislative advocacy and create goals and strategy for engagement.
• Work with the Rural Lands Program Director to create and carry out a work plan that aligns with the program’s strategic priorities. 
• Participate in weekly team meetings and regular check-ins with supervising Rural Lands  Program Director.
• Work with LandWatch’s Communications & Outreach Senior Manager to craft strategic  communications that support the Staff Attorney’s docket and the goals of the Rural Lands Program.

Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water Program support (20%) 

• In consultation with Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water Program Directors, conduct legal research and writing to oppose identified threats to urban lands, public lands, and water resources in the Central Oregon region. 
• Support administrative appeals and litigation of agency decisions that do not comply with state and/or federal law, including land use law, water law, the National Environmental Policy Act, National Forest Management Act, and Endangered Species Act, to support the Cities & Towns and Wildlands & Water program goals.

Other (10%) 

• Actively participate in weekly staff meetings, board meetings as necessary, work  
• planning, DEI initiatives, and other organization-wide efforts. 
• External stakeholder correspondence and meetings. 
• Undertake any educational or development opportunities necessary to maintain any  accreditations, such as CLEs. 
• Contribute to grant proposals and reports as needed by the organization. 
• Perform duties required of all staff to support internal operations including submitting  expense reports, invoice requests, reimbursement requests, and timesheets.

Required Qualifications for Associate Staff Attorney position

• JD degree and admission to the Oregon state bar required, or willingness to be admitted to Oregon state bar within one year of employment. 
• At least one year of directly related work experience, which can include experience prior to and during law school.
• Subject matter knowledge in land use, local government, administrative, property, environmental, and/or natural resources law.

Work Environment 

We offer a flexible workplace environment with a casual dress code. Employees currently work  both from home and/or from our offices depending on their work style, preferences and level  of safety. We are committed to ensuring employees have all the tools they need to perform  their job duties whether at home or in the office and can make reasonable accommodations to  enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. We cannot guarantee  accessibility in off-site locations where work is occasionally required. 

Our offices are located within Embark Bend coworking space, at 2843 NW Lolo Dr. Ste. 200,  Bend, OR 97703. We have several private office suites located on the second floor: 

• There are wide stairs, wide hallways and an elevator; 
• Non-gender-neutral bathrooms on both floors with multiple stalls, including ADA stalls  and showers (showers in the first-floor bathrooms only); 
• Office suites have floor-to-ceiling windows to the hallway, outside windows, non fluorescent lighting, and wide sliding glass doors;
• Combination sit/stand desk, adjustable height;
• No automatic doors.