Closing Date: 7th August, 2026
Description:
The New Mexico Environmental Law Center (NMELC) is seeking applications for a Staff Attorney dedicated to NMELC's mission of working with communities to advance environmental justice and human rights. The New Mexico Environmental Law Center works in partnership with community organizations, coalitions and other stakeholders to build multi-strategy campaigns that address the systemic polluting of low-income communities of color and advance community health and sustainability. Apply by Friday, August 7, 2026. Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), women and LGBTQIA+ candidates are highly encouraged to apply.Job Title: Staff Attorney
Salary: $65,000.00 to $90,000.00 (Depending on Experience)
Start Date: August 2026
Reports to: Legal Director, Senior Staff Attorney, and Executive Director
Job Summary:
As a Staff Attorney, you will engage in legal, policy, and administrative advocacy, as well as coalition-building, communications/media, and other organizational tasks. You will be part of NMELC's Legal Team and will work closely with clients and communities to achieve shared goals and priorities. You will also be responsible, in collaboration with the Legal Team, Executive Director and staff, for identifying, managing and advancing new campaign and litigation opportunities. Staff Attorneys are involved in policy development, advocacy, outreach, events, and larger development/fundraising initiatives that help to support and expand NMELC's legal services and work.
Job Location: New Mexico
NMELC follows a hybrid work plan (in office and remote). Applicants must live in or be willing to relocate to New Mexico.
Compensation & Benefits: Full-time/exempt annual salary of 65K to 90K depending on experience. After a qualifying period, benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, 403(b) employer match program, vacation, sick leave, holidays and sabbatical.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Maintains an individual caseload, engaging in client-directed litigation in state and federal court, including appellate work, before administrative agencies and potentially international tribunals.
- Involvement and engagement with policy development, including the state legislative session and federal legislation/rulemaking that supports and furthers NMELC's mission
- Keeps the Executive Director, legal team, staff, and larger community informed of relevant legal and policy developments.
- Prepares and presents reports to staff, Board of Directors, community, and the public.
- Represents NMELC at national, state, and local meetings, conferences, in the media, in the community, as part of coalitions, and at relevant events.
- Supports larger public education efforts, e.g. through community engagement and outreach.
- Fosters and cultivates strong relationships with legal advocates, clients, and community members in other environmental justice/environmental and social justice organizations and movements.
- Participates in organizational events and resource development as needed and directed by the Executive Director.
Required Qualifications:
- Must embrace NMELC's mission and be dedicated to working alongside clients and communities on environmental justice issues.
- Demonstrated commitment to movement/community lawyering and experience in racial and social justice, environmental justice and/or equity development work.
- Knowledge of and commitment to the importance and integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and practices, including commitment to equity and justice in litigation and policy.
- An understanding of how litigation, policy, media, community organizing and education strategies are employed to ensure environmental justice principles and human rights, to expand civil rights and change cultural norms.
- Practice and experience in environmental law, environmental justice, civil rights law, and social justice issues.
- Excellent research, writing, and analytic skills.
- Excellent interpersonal communication and public speaking skills, including the ability to convey complex legal issues into language that is accessible to a wide range of audiences.
- Ability to relate to, and communicate effectively with, a diverse group of clients, community partners, and staff, as well as nonprofit, government, judicial, and business communities.
- Experience working in coalitions of community-based and advocacy organizations.
- Exceptional listening and negotiating skills and ability to facilitate conversation and drive decisions in a consensus-driven team and organization.
- Excellent strategic judgment and the drive to effectuate challenging campaigns. Civil and appellate litigation experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bilingual (especially Spanish and/or Native/Indigenous Languages).
- Experience working with LGBTQIA+, frontline, colonias, rural, and Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
- Familiar with and committed to the Jemez Principles of Democratic Organizing and the EJ Principles
Education and Experience:
- At least 3 to 5 years of litigation experience in administrative, state, and/or federal courts, with a strong background in environmental, constitutional, and/or civil rights law. Exceptional candidates at all experience levels will be considered.
- Must be an attorney in good standing and either be licensed to practice law in the State of New Mexico or be eligible for admission to the New Mexico bar at the time of hiring.
- Environmental justice/social justice education, background, and/or experience.
Application Deadline: Friday, August 7, 2026
NMELC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
Learn more at www.nmelc.org