Conservation Advocate - California Desert & Public Lands

Job Title: Conservation Advocate – California Desert & Public Lands

Program: Conservation

Employment Type: [X ] Salary   [  ] Hourly (exempt – this position is not eligible for overtime)

                                   [  ] Part-time [ X ] Full-time

                                   [  ] Temporary [ X ] Regular

Reports to: Conservation Director

Direct Reports to this position: N/A

Salary Range: Salary/position tier DOE:

Staff Advocate: $60,000 - $80,000

Senior Advocate: $80,000 - $110,000

Location: California Desert or adjacent areas of Southern California and Eastern Sierra.

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit?  [X ] Yes   [   ] No
Job Classification: Advocate (Staff or Senior – DOE)
*Because this position is in the Bargaining Unit, some fees may be required depending on where the candidate lives as a condition of employment.

The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of imperiled plants, animals and wild places, seeks an experienced person to advocate for the conservation of California’s public lands, with a particular focus on the California Desert. We seek a highly motivated, visionary, creative, and talented individual to initiate, develop, and lead efforts to protect the species and ecosystems of the California Desert and nearby areas from the many threats they face. The ideal candidate will have on-the-ground familiarity with California’s public lands and experience engaging with federal agencies and elected officials.

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a document that includes a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is 4/13/2026. 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
The position will involve commenting on projects proposed by federal and state agencies, building and maintaining effective relationships with partner organizations and individuals, conducting traditional and social media advocacy, and engaging the public through campaign activities. While degrees in biology, natural resources management, or law are not required, the position requires scientific literacy, a general familiarity with environmental law, and the ability to read, review, and comment upon technical government documents and proposals. The position will work closely with attorneys in our Public Lands Law Center, our Conservation Director, and other relevant Center staff. The position may require work on other organizational priorities as well. The position will require frequent travel and field time.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Advocate for the protection of the California Desert and other public lands from various threats, including development, mines, off-road vehicles, and livestock grazing.
• Identify, develop, and carry out actions to further campaign goals.
• Participate in agency planning efforts for the western Joshua tree, desert tortoise, national monuments, and other species and areas of the desert.
• Advocate for administrative and legislative policies through scientific and legal comments, oral testimony, policy analysis and petitions for rulemaking.
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations and activists, tribes, scientists, agency personnel, and decisionmakers.
• Conduct media advocacy, including writing press releases, fact sheets, drafting opinion editorials, delivering effective statements to reporters, and touring reporters to field sites.
• Engage the public through campaign activities such as action alerts and public speaking.
• Provide support to other staff in the organization.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Minimum three years of environmental field work, research, and/or advocacy experience, or three years of related legal experience.
• Excellent writing, research, and oral advocacy skills.
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with proven record of completing deliverables on schedule.
• Strong work ethic and ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
• Ability to communicate and engage with diverse communities of all political, social and cultural backgrounds.
• Familiarity with working with Native American Tribes, leaders, and communities preferred.
• Strong scientific literacy with background in wildlife biology and ecology or environmental law preferred.
• Familiarity with relevant environmental laws and regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act preferred.
• Experience with public speaking, community outreach, and engagement with the media.
• A demonstrated commitment to public lands, wildlife, and endangered species conservation.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is generally done from a home office. Frequent travel required, evening or weekend work may be required at times due to project deadlines, periodic field trips expected to build familiarity with subject matter and may require appropriate safety precautions. Occasional travel also required for court hearings, conferences, and public engagement events. Will need to use typical office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, etc.

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    [  ] Occasionally   [ x ] 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    [  ] Occasionally   [ x ] Frequently  

Standing: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [x  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [  ] Rarely    [  x] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [  x] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Hiking: [  ] Rarely    [ x ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Climbing up or down stairs: [  ] Rarely    [ x ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Bending: [  ] Rarely    [ x ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Squatting: [  ] Rarely    [x  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Reaching overhead: [  ] Rarely    [x  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Repetitive motions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ x ] Frequently  

Ability to drive: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ x ] Frequently  

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [  ] Rarely    [ x ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Travel required*:  [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [x  ] Frequently  

Night or weekend work: [  ] Rarely    [ x ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Work in outdoor conditions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ x ] Frequently  

Other? _________________ [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

*Attendance at our remote annual all-staff retreat is encouraged. This could require travel and 4-5 days of time away from home each year.

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• 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: Exempt

Applicable Exemption: Professional

Reasoning behind this classification: High degree of discretion and work is predominantly intellectual in nature and varied in character. The output produced can’t be standardized in relation to a given period of time.