Environmental Justice Staff Attorney at National Legal Aid & Defender Association

Position 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.

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.