CENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY
JOIN OUR TEAM: JOBS AND INTERNSHIPS
The Center for Biological Diversity is a 501(c)3 nonprofit conservation organization with more than 775,000 members
and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places. We have more than 60 staff in
offices in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington, D.C. It is the policy of the Center for
Biological Diversity to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, sex,
religion, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, disability, political affiliation, family responsibility,
matriculation, personal appearance or economic background, or any other legally protected status. Candidates with
diverse backgrounds encouraged to apply.
We are accepting applications for the following positions:
Media Specialist — Oceans
Major Gifts Officer
Staff Attorney — California Wildlife Protection
Staff Attorney — Climate Law Institute
Staff Scientist — Climate Law Institute
INTERNSHIPS
ABOUT THE CENTER
Media Specialist — Oceans
Full Time
San Francisco Bay Area
General position overview:
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a dynamic, experienced, creative and media-savvy communicator for our
work to protect oceans and sea life. The Center is a leading voice in ocean protection and is responsible for the
majority of protections for marine mammals and their habitats under the Endangered Species Act in the past 15
years. Our highly motivated Oceans team uses cutting-edge legal and advocacy strategies to tackle the key threats to
our oceans, from climate change and plastic pollution to offshore drilling and habitat destruction. The Media Specialist
will produce high-impact communications on every platform aimed at addressing the issues facing our oceans;
generate positive media stories, op-eds, editorials and creative media products that drive the national discussion
about ocean protection; and play an integral role in maintaining the Center’s national profile and work on this critical
issue. This position reports directly to the Communications Director and works closely with our Oceans program,
communications program and the leadership team.
Main duties:
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Produce compelling press releases, white papers, story pitches, blog posts, factsheets, op-eds and other written
material.
Heighten public knowledge of the threats facing our oceans and solutions.
Work closely with Communications and Oceans staff to develop and execute long-term and near-term strategic
communications plans.
Organize and execute editorial drives.
Track national and international news on oceans and seek out strategic new ways to become part of the news
cycle.
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Cultivate media relationships, pitch stories to reporters and editorial writers, and continually seek out new media
opportunities.
Act as a public spokesperson as needed.
Integrate oceans-related materials into other Center communications.
Periodically read, research and synthesize ocean-related science for lay audience materials.
Expand and refine the Center’s existing communications materials, including the website and regular publications.
Provide educational and persuasive outreach to members of Congress and other decision makers.
Assist with outreach to the Center’s 775,000-plus supporters and activists.
Identify and act on political opportunities, especially regarding the media, to shift the national debate in our favor.
Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:
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The ability to produce clear, concise, persuasive and powerful writing on tight deadlines.
Exceptional writing, editing and verbal skills.
A deep working knowledge of environmental issues and politics.
An understanding of media cycles and the ability to consistently work with them.
The ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
The ability to juggle multiple projects and multiple deadlines.
The ability to communicate in different styles, depending on the forum, product and audience.
A strategic mindset that grasps short-term and long-term media opportunities and an ability to execute those
opportunities.
Ability to research, synthesize and translate complex scientific concepts for a lay audience.
A penchant for innovative approaches to reaching new audiences.
A confident self-starter who also works well in a team environment.
A passion for oceans, sea life and saving all wildlife from extinction.
Qualifications:
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A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or a related field.
A minimum of five years of demonstrated success as a professional communicator, including journalism or nonprofit
advocacy.
A proven track record in strategic communications work.
Application process:
To apply, please send a thoughtful cover letter and résumé via email to mediaspecialist@biologicaldiversity.org,
“Attn: Oceans.” The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is as soon as possible. Only
applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.
Major Gifts Officer
Full Time
San Francisco, California
General position overview:
This is an outstanding career opportunity with the Center for Biological Diversity for a creative, savvy, self-motivated,
fearless, articulate, energetic and effective Major Gifts Officer (MGO). The ideal candidate will have three to five
years of fundraising experience in the environmental movement and close ties to funders in the San Francisco Bay
Area and along the West Coast. The position will be based at the Center’s San Francisco office and report to the
Director of Development. The MGO will be a key player on the Center’s Development team and significantly
contribute to the organization’s revenue goals.
Responsibilities include:
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Build up and maintain a portfolio of 100–150 donors and prospective donors. Plan and maintain an aggressive
schedule of face-to-face visits with some current and mainly prospective donors.
Create a prospect list of new potential major donors to support Center’s work.
Manage necessary research, qualification and cultivation of prospective donors.
Establish new relationships; draft individualized prospect strategies, letters and proposals leading to asks and
closes for new gifts of $100K and greater.
Develop philanthropic affinity groups to segment by demographics, geographic location and program interests.
Work with and leverage Executive Director, Director of Development, key program staff and select volunteers to
develop solicitation strategies and include in direct solicitations, as appropriate.
Collaborate with donor relations team to identify and upgrade high-capacity and recurring annual mid-level $1K$25K donors to major gift level.
Work as part of team with senior leadership to develop plan, set and meet seven-figure annual revenue targets for
Major Gifts program that include both restricted and unrestricted annual, multi-year and integrated multi-tiered gifts.
Attend and, with support of Development team, organize occasional small “friendraiser/fundraiser” gatherings with
donors and prospects.
Actively utilize ability and willingness to work independently and productively in separate location from Development
team. Position will be located in Center’s downtown SF office.
Record and track progress in existing databases in a timely fashion.
Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:
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Ideally three to five years of fundraising and direct-solicitation experience.
Proven track record of personally closing high five-, six-, and seven-plus-figure gifts, utilizing moves management.
Familiarity, ties and contacts with Bay Area, California and national environmental movement funders.
Experience including in working with foundations, philanthropic individuals, local political scene and peer
organizations.
Knowledge of endangered species issues and top environmental threats is strongly preferred.
Planned giving/endowment experience a plus, though not required.
Availability for significant West Coast travel.
Superior interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Fewer years of experience acceptable if candidate possesses proven abilities as outlined, necessary knowledge of
environmental movement and track record as a rainmaker.
Salary is commensurate with experience and comparable to that of other nonprofits. The Center offers an excellent
benefits package, including employer-paid medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, as well as a 403(b)
retirement savings plan with employer match.
Application process:
To apply please send a résumé and thoughtful cover letter outlining your interest in the position
to MGO@biologicaldiversity.org; include “Major Gifts Officer” in the subject line. Due to the volume of applicants, only
those considered for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls, please. The position will remain open until filled.
Staff Attorney — California Wildlife Protection
Full time
Sacramento or San Francisco, California
Description: The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time staff attorney to advance California wildlife
protection efforts as the newest member of the Strategic Litigation Group. The Center is a national 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy, education
and environmental law.
The staff attorney will work on litigation, administrative and policy advocacy, and grassroots and media outreach
designed to protect California’s wildlife, with an emphasis on the state’s remnant native carnivores, including bobcats,
coyotes, foxes and badgers. A particular focus of the position will be to advocate before the California Department of
Fish and Wildlife, the California Fish and Game Commission and the state legislature for implementation,
enforcement and/or reform of the state’s laws and regulations relating to hunting, trapping and depredation. The
position will coordinate with other Center programs, including the Endangered Species program, and work with
communications and other staff as well.
Main duties:
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Litigation of cases under state and federal laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act, California and
federal Endangered Species acts, the California Fish and Game Code, the National Environmental Policy Act and
others.
Administrative advocacy, such as commenting on proposed rulemakings and the preparation of petitions for
rulemaking before the California Fish and Game Commission and other relevant agencies.
Analysis of and advocacy regarding state legislation.
Preparation of communications such as press releases, op-eds, factsheets and white papers.
Some travel required.
Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:
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Admitted to practice law in California.
Experience with California and federal environmental statutes.
Scientific literacy.
Excellent research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
GIS proficiency a plus.
An ability to manage a litigation docket and to work well independently and with others as part of an effective team.
A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.
Salary is commensurate with other nonprofit organizations and includes an excellent vacation and benefits package.
Position is located in Sacramento or San Francisco.
Application process:
Please send a cover letter, a résumé, references, and a writing sample via email (no paper)
to Calwildlife@biologicaldiversity.org. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only
candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. For more information on the Center go
to www.biologicaldiversity.org.
Staff Attorney — Climate Law Institute
Full time
San Francisco, California
General position overview:
The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time staff attorney in our Climate Law Institute. The Institute wages
innovative legal and public-pressure campaigns to limit global warming pollution and protect species threatened with
extinction from climate change. The staff attorney will work as part of a dynamic team on litigation, administrative and
policy advocacy, as well as grassroots and media outreach designed to support the implementation of existing laws
to reduce greenhouse pollution and speed the transition to a clean energy future, to improve management of our
most imperiled plants and animals, and to support the development of new science-based and equitable laws and
policies. We take pride in our team spirit and collaborative approach in implementing this important mission.
Main duties:
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Litigation of cases under laws such as the Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, National Environmental Policy
Act and California Environmental Policy Act.
Administrative advocacy, such as commenting on proposed rulemakings and the preparation of petitions for
rulemaking.
Analysis of and advocacy regarding pending state and federal legislation.
Preparation of communications such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, and white papers.
Engagement with media for interviews, presentations to the public.
Some travel required.
Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:
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Minimum three years civil litigation experience.
Experience with environmental statutes, including the Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, National
Environmental Policy Act, and California Environmental Quality Act strongly preferred.
Excellent research, writing and oral advocacy skills.
An ability to manage a litigation docket and work well independently and with others as a part of an effective team.
A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.
Scientific literacy and familiarity with the scientific literature on climate change strongly preferred.
The salary is commensurate with those of other nonprofit organizations and includes an excellent benefits package.
Please send a cover letter, a résumé, references and a writing sample via email (no paper)
to climateattorney@biologicaldiversity.org. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls please. Only
candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.
Staff Scientist — Climate Law Institute
Full time
San Francisco, California
General position overview: The Center for Biological Diversity seeks a full-time staff scientist based in the Climate
Law Institute. The Center is dedicated to protecting endangered species and wild places through science, policy,
education and environmental law. The Climate Law Institute wages innovative legal and public-pressure campaigns
to limit global warming pollution and protect species threatened with extinction from climate change.
The staff scientist will work as part of a dynamic team to provide scientific support for our administrative and policy
advocacy, litigation, and grassroots and media outreach. The staff scientist’s work will focus on improving the
management of endangered animals and plants, supporting the implementation of existing laws to reduce
greenhouse pollution and speed the transition to a clean energy future, and supporting the development of new
science-based and equitable laws and policies. We foster a collaborative team spirit in achieving this important
mission.
Main duties:
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Analysis of scientific literature to inform our science-based advocacy work, including support for policy, litigation,
legislation, organizing, and outreach.
Extensive scientific and policy writing.
Preparing public outreach materials such as press releases, op-eds, fact sheets, and white papers.
Engagement with media for interviews.
Outreach and presentations to the public and scientists.
Scientist organizing.
Essential qualities, qualifications and skills:
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Completion of a master’s or PhD in a relevant scientific field such as conservation biology, ecology, environmental
studies, climate science, or other atmospheric/earth science.
Scientific literacy and familiarity with the scientific literature on climate change is essential; familiarity with the
scientific literature on energy policy is preferred.
Excellent research, analytical and writing skills.
Excellent communication skills, including public speaking skills.
An ability to work well independently and with others as a part of a team.
A demonstrated commitment to environmental protection.
GIS proficiency preferred.
Salary is commensurate with other nonprofit organizations and includes an excellent vacation and benefits package.
This position is located in San Francisco.
Application process:
Please send a cover letter, a résumé, references, and a writing sample via email (no paper) to
staffscientist@biologicaldiversity.org. The position will remain open until filled. No telephone calls, please. Only
candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.