About PERC

The Property and Environment Research Center (PERC) is the national leader in market solutions for conservation, with over 40 years of research and a network of respected scholars and practitioners. Through research, law and policy, and innovative field conservation programs, PERC explores how aligning incentives for environmental stewardship produces sustainable outcomes for land, water, and wildlife. Founded in 1980, PERC is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and proudly based in Bozeman, Montana.

This is a transformational time at PERC. Our nimble team is growing in all departments to support our ambitious goal of inspiring a new era of conservation in America based on incentives and innovation. Read more.

Position Description

For the first time, PERC is hiring a Conservation Counsel to join us in achieving meaningful legal and policy reforms on cutting-edge environmental issues. This position will be a key part of PERC’s growing Conservation Law and Policy Center and will help us shape environmental law and conservation policy in favor of innovative, market-oriented solutions. The role will involve research to identify opportunities and obstacles to such solutions, drafting regulatory comments and amicus briefs, and strategic litigation. The conservation counsel will work closely with and report to the Vice President of Law and Policy.

Primary Responsibilities

Legal and policy research (25%)

• Develop and publish cutting-edge legal scholarship on opportunities and obstacles to the use of property rights and incentives to advance conservation
• Promote PERC’s research and perspective to law audiences, including legal academia
• Conduct in-depth legal analysis to support PERC’s broader research and applied efforts
• Advise the policy team on the legal implications of proposed model legislation and other policy reforms

Regulatory policy (25%)

• Track the development of regulatory policy, including federal rulemaking
• Draft comments on proposed regulations
• Assist the policy team in representing PERC in the regulatory process, including meetings with federal agencies

Amicus briefs (25%)

• Track environmental and property-rights litigation concerning land, water, and wildlife
• Draft amicus briefs presenting PERC’s perspective and research in cases affecting property rights and conservation incentives
• Collaborate with outside partners to build support for PERC’s litigation and amicus projects

Strategic litigation (25%)

• Work with the Vice President of Law and Policy to identify issues that merit PERC’s direct engagement in litigation
• Engage with landowners and external partners to identify prospective clients and build public-interest cases advancing PERC’s approach to conservation
• Draft briefs and other litigation documents

Skills and Experience Required

• A.J.D. from an accredited law school
• 0-5 years litigation experience
• Stellar writing skills
• The ability to translate complex legal issues for non-legal audiences
• Driven, self-motivated, and excited to take initiative
• Team player
• Flexible and highly adaptive

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in conservation, environmental, or property rights litigation
• Track record of producing impactful scholarship on environmental law or property rights
• Familiarity with WestLaw
• Admitted to practice law in Montana or eligible to obtain admission

Travel Requirements

• Some regular travel by car and airplane is required

Working Conditions

• Business office environment with moderate noise
• Travel by car and plane is possible
• Will sit or stand at a desk
• Work on a computer, use a telephone, and other general office equipment
• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds

Location

This is a full-time, exempt position ideally based in Bozeman, Montana. We are open to remote positions for exceptional candidates.

Perks of working at PERC

• Great health (platinum, gold and silver plans), vision, and dental benefit choices for employees and family
• Flex/FSA or HSA offered
• 5% 401(k) PERC contribution
• PERC contributed life insurance
• Voluntary additional life insurance
• Voluntary accident insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Paid vacation and sick days
• 12 paid holidays
• Discounted gym membership
• Ability to work with an impactful conservation organization, dedicated to positive environmental outcomes

To Apply

Please submit the following to employment@perc.org:

• Resume
• Cover letter detailing: 1) interest in the role 2) understanding of PERC and our approach to conservation
• 2 writing samples
• 3 references

Not sure you meet all the job qualifications? Let us decide! Research shows that women and members of other under-represented groups tend not to apply to jobs when they think they may not meet every qualification when, in fact, they often do. We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment and strongly encourage you to apply.