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Available Positions

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OIL SHALE ATTORNEY

Boulder, CO

Western Resource Advocates seeks an experienced attorney for a legal and policy position within the WRA Lands Program in our Boulder, Colorado office.  The successful candidate will work specifically on issues related to oil shale development, including the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement, current and proposed legislation, historical background, and assessment of the full range of social and environmental impacts.  This position is initially funded for one year, and can be a full-time employee or a contract arrangement. 

This is an exciting opportunity to protect the climate, people, and the natural resources of the Rocky Mountain West from the renewed threat of commercial oil shale development.  The work focuses on safeguarding wildlife habitat, clean air, and pure water supplies, and involves collaborating with other WRA programs to document and promote energy and water solutions grounded in efficiency, renewables, and conservation.  Specific tasks involve managing the completion of two studies:  an economic analysis of oil shale development and an assessment of its water demands and impacts in Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

  1. Minimum two years legal experience, including some litigation
  2. Knowledge of public lands, environmental, water and/or energy law
  3. Excellent writing, organizational, and analytical skills
  4. Experience in the policy arena, working effectively with elected officials and/or agency staff
  5. Experience working with coalitions or campaigns
  6. Proven ability to work with experts from other disciplines
  7. Sense of humor

Start date ASAP.  As a one-year funded staff position, salary is competitive with other conservation organizations, and benefits include medical, dental, and life insurances, and a matched 401(k) plan.  Details and salary for a contract arrangement will be negotiated.

E-mail cover letter highlighting professional achievements, resumé, writing sample (not co-authored) and three professional references to andria@westernresources.org and mike@westernresources.org by March 14, 2008.

 

WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES STAFF ATTORNEY

Salt Lake City, Utah


Western Resource Advocates seeks an attorney for our Salt Lake City, Utah office. Successful applicant will work to protect Utah’s wild places, wildlife, and water resources, pursuing a diverse environmental docket at the administrative, state, and federal levels. Send e-mail letter, resume, references, and short writing sample to andria@westernresources.org by March 14, 2008.

WRA’s Salt Lake City office focuses on conserving and restoring Utah’s public lands, biodiversity, and water resources. Our work ranges from challenging oil and gas leases in roadless areas on Utah’s National Forests to cooperatively creating and implementing a strategy for eliminating the discharge of mercury into Great Salt Lake. We are contesting air quality permits for proposed coal-fired power plants in southern Utah, and helping our coalition partners participate effectively in travel planning processes that will determine off-road vehicle use on forest lands. Our clients include the Utah Chapter of the Sierra Club, Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance, Utah Rivers Council, Friends of Great Salt Lake, Citizens’ Committee to Save Our Canyons, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, and Red Rock Forests.

The Utah Office is staffed by two attorneys. The small size of the office and the varied case load provides a unique opportunity to rapidly gain experience with a variety of administrative processes, statues, and regulations.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

  • J.D. and admission to the Utah Bar, or willingness to gain admission as soon as possible
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • A minimum of five years of experience in natural resources, environmental, and water law, preferably including a significant role in state administrative proceedings and federal court litigation
  • Ability to work independently and as a team player under pressure and deadlines
  • Love of Utah’s wild places and strong desire to explore and protect them

Job begins ASAP. Salary is competitive with other conservation organizations, and benefits include medical, dental, and life insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Salt Lake City is minutes away from some of the best skiing in the United States, as well as excellent mountain biking, climbing, hiking, and trail running. Additional recreational opportunities include hiking and backpacking in places such as Zion, Canyonlands and Arches National Parks, the San Rafael Swell, Dark Canyon, Cedar Mesa, and the Escalante canyons, and bird watching along the shores of Great Salt Lake. Salt Lake City is also close to the great mountain ranges of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nevada.

 

 

 

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