Closing Date: 17th October, 2025
Description:
Job Description:Alaska's history, culture, and economy are inextricably bound to the State's natural resources. Working in the Natural Resources section offers a unique opportunity to participate in development of Alaska natural resource management law, support dynamic resource management programs, and witness real-world application of the legal advice provided. Section attorneys typically specialize in particular program areas, but the section functions as a team and attorneys often perform work outside their primary area of responsibility. Opportunities to work on special projects or in newly identified program areas also occur.
Natural Resources section attorneys work closely with client program managers in a variety of capacities, including litigation in administrative, state, and federal forums, complex litigation, administrative appeals, major resource development projects and program initiatives, legislation and regulation drafting, and daily operational advice.
The section currently seeks one experienced attorney to advise and litigate on behalf of section clients, including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) parks, forestry, and land use programs and the Mental Health Trust Land Office. Selected attorneys also will be assigned a variety of matters in the section's portfolio, which includes land and water management, forestry, parks, fish and game management programs, and federal matters pertaining to Alaska's resource management interests. Client program assignments will be determined based on attorney experience, skills, and interest. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the programs administered by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Divisions of Mining Land & Water, Forestry and Fire Protection, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, and the Mental Health Trust Land Office, and indicate program areas of interest in their applications. Information on these client programs is available here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/ and here: Home - Alaska Mental Health Trust and Trust Land Office . (https://alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/)
Agency advice as well as litigation in state and federal courts will be significant parts of this position. Occasional travel may be required.
Attorneys in the Civil Division work on matters of statewide importance, all while living and enjoying all Alaska has to offer. If you enjoy complex and impactful legal work along with dramatic scenery, outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, kayaking, and abundant wildlife, then the Alaska Department of Law, Civil Division is the place for you. Flexible schedules, including hybrid telework arrangements, may be available.
About the Natural Resources Section (https://law.alaska.gov/department/civil/NR.html)
Qualifications:
Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and have a strong knowledge of general legal principles applicable to state government. Familiarity with Alaska history and Alaska natural resource management programs and policies is important to these positions. Three or more years of experience in state court litigation, including matters concerning land law, water law, and administrative law is strongly preferred.
Qualified applicants must have strong communication, oral advocacy, writing, and time management skills; must demonstrate excellent professional judgment; and must exhibit an interest in working on complex matters. The ability to handle a high volume of work that includes state and federal court litigation, cooperatively prioritize work with several clients, and develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and clients is essential. Successful applicants will have strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work well with colleagues and support staff. Successful applicants will be highly motivated and able to work individually and as a member of a team with minimum supervision.
Contact:
Individuals who would like additional information about the position may contact Charles Gartland at (907) 269-5100 or by e-mail at Charles.gartland@alaska.gov.
Benefits & Compensation
- The Natural Resources Section advises clients and litigates regarding:
- administration of the State's 100-million-acre land base, including its public domain, forests, state parks, state refuges, and public trust doctrine lands;
- major infrastructure development projects (roads, mines, rail corridors, dams, etc.);
- management of the State's fish and game resources; and
- projects involving other state land administrators such as the Trust Land Office, the Alaska Railroad Corporation, and the University of Alaska as well as private landowners.
The section currently seeks one experienced attorney to advise and litigate on behalf of section clients, including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) parks, forestry, and land use programs and the Mental Health Trust Land Office. Selected attorneys also will be assigned a variety of matters in the section's portfolio, which includes land and water management, forestry, parks, fish and game management programs, and federal matters pertaining to Alaska's resource management interests. Client program assignments will be determined based on attorney experience, skills, and interest. Applicants should familiarize themselves with the programs administered by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Divisions of Mining Land & Water, Forestry and Fire Protection, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, and the Mental Health Trust Land Office, and indicate program areas of interest in their applications. Information on these client programs is available here: https://dnr.alaska.gov/ and here: Home - Alaska Mental Health Trust and Trust Land Office . (https://alaskamentalhealthtrust.org/)
Agency advice as well as litigation in state and federal courts will be significant parts of this position. Occasional travel may be required.
Attorneys in the Civil Division work on matters of statewide importance, all while living and enjoying all Alaska has to offer. If you enjoy complex and impactful legal work along with dramatic scenery, outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, kayaking, and abundant wildlife, then the Alaska Department of Law, Civil Division is the place for you. Flexible schedules, including hybrid telework arrangements, may be available.
About the Natural Resources Section (https://law.alaska.gov/department/civil/NR.html)
Qualifications:
Applicants must have graduated from an accredited law school and have a strong knowledge of general legal principles applicable to state government. Familiarity with Alaska history and Alaska natural resource management programs and policies is important to these positions. Three or more years of experience in state court litigation, including matters concerning land law, water law, and administrative law is strongly preferred.
Qualified applicants must have strong communication, oral advocacy, writing, and time management skills; must demonstrate excellent professional judgment; and must exhibit an interest in working on complex matters. The ability to handle a high volume of work that includes state and federal court litigation, cooperatively prioritize work with several clients, and develop and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and clients is essential. Successful applicants will have strong interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work well with colleagues and support staff. Successful applicants will be highly motivated and able to work individually and as a member of a team with minimum supervision.
Contact:
Individuals who would like additional information about the position may contact Charles Gartland at (907) 269-5100 or by e-mail at Charles.gartland@alaska.gov.
Benefits & Compensation
State Benefits Package
Estimated Compensation
The table below gives an estimate of compensation based on a combination of judicial clerking and licensed legal experience. The compensation listed in the table represents the base pay. Several locations around Alaska have geographical pay differences. Upon a job offer, you would receive a firm salary quote based on location of position and qualifying experience. Attorneys are eligible to promote from Attorney 1 through 4 with service and acceptable job performance.
Attorney level Experience level Pay range and step Base pay*
Summary of Geographical Pay Rate Differences.
- Health benefits (including dental and vision), life insurance and voluntary supplemental benefits (https://doa.alaska.gov/drb/benefits/employee/)
- Generous leave accrual, starting at 21 days a year
- 12 paid holidays (http://doa.alaska.gov/calendar/)
- A variety of retirement plans (https://doa.alaska.gov/drb/retirement/#.YjEFjnrMKMo)
- Potential eligibility for student loan forgiveness through the Public Loan Forgiveness Program. (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service)
- 37.5-hour workweek
- Eligibility for part-time teleworking, alternate workweek, or a flex schedule after an initial training period.
The table below gives an estimate of compensation based on a combination of judicial clerking and licensed legal experience. The compensation listed in the table represents the base pay. Several locations around Alaska have geographical pay differences. Upon a job offer, you would receive a firm salary quote based on location of position and qualifying experience. Attorneys are eligible to promote from Attorney 1 through 4 with service and acceptable job performance.
Attorney level Experience level Pay range and step Base pay*
- Attorney 1 Unlicensed attorney 18 D or E $89,895 or $92,703
- Attorney 2 Less than two years of licensed experience 20 C or D $99,235.50 or $102,843
- Attorney 3 More than 2 but less than 4 years of licensed experience 22 B or C $109,882.50 or $113,256
- Attorney 4 More than 4 years 24 B through F $125,482.50 – $143,734.50
- Location Base pay + geographical difference
- Anchorage, Kenai, Palmer, Ketchikan Base pay / no geo dif
- Fairbanks Base pay + 3%
- Juneau, Sitka Base pay + 5%
- Kodiak Base pay + 11%
- Nome, Dillingham Base pay + 37%
- Bethel, Utqiagvik Base pay + 50%
- Kotzebue Base pay + 60%
