Job Description

The Research Analyst will conduct in-depth research and analysis on environmental and natural resources law and policy at the tribal, federal, state, local, and international levels and conduct related support activities for the NCAI Institute for Environmental Sovereignty. The ideal candidate is highly organized, an excellent writer, and has between three and five years of experience conducting legal research, including collecting and synthesizing information, drafting reports and memoranda, performing rigorous fact-checking, cite-checking, and Bluebooking, and carrying out basic administrative functions. Candidates will have a passion for serving Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities and an interest in environmental protection and natural resource stewardship.

The Institute for Environmental Sovereignty’s mission is to advance Tribal Nations’ leadership in natural resource governance and environmental stewardship; the safeguarding of Indigenous peoples’ cultural heritage linked to the landscape and natural environment; and innovative Indigenous-led approaches to environmental protection. The Institute carries out this mission through its core objectives: (1) tracking environmental matters of greatest concern to Indian Country; (2) carrying out in-depth research and analysis of environmental and natural resource policy, law, programs, and action, at all levels and types of government, which impact Indian Country, treaty resources, cultural heritage, and tribal communities’ health and wellness; (3) advocating for greater tribal sovereignty over, and stewardship of critically important natural resources; and (4) convening Tribal Nation leaders, partners, and supporters around Indian Country’s greatest environmental problems, solutions, and promising opportunities to create communities of practice.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Under the direction of NCAI’s Director of the Institute for Environmental Sovereignty, the primary duties of the Research Analyst include but are not limited to:

• Conduct research, synthesize findings, and draft related memoranda, reports, and other communications
• Cite-check, fact-check, Bluebook, proofread, and assist with writing reports, white papers, issue briefs, podcast story maps or scripts, op-eds, blogs, and other public-facing documents
• Support monitoring the development of environmental protection, natural resource management, and conservation law and policy
• Support the team’s engagement and communications with internal and external partners and partner organizations, technical experts, and government agencies and officials
• Coordinate, prepare for, support, and participate in meetings and presentations, both virtual and in-person
• Manage and coordinate projects, development work plans, and track and communicate progress toward Institute goals
• Contribute to grant writing in support of the Institute, including letters of intent, concept notes, and proposals
• Travel in order to staff NCAI’s three major conferences that take place each calendar year, and occasional travel for site visits, meetings, and representing the Institute at conferences, including providing presentations on Institute projects when required

Required Skills & Abilities:

• Excellent writing, researching, editing, and proofreading skills
• Rigorous attention to detail
• Ability to multi-task and produce high-quality work under time constraints
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, analytical, and time-management skills
• Ability to work both individually and collaboratively with a team, including training and supervising others (professional staff or graduate/undergraduate-level interns)
• Demonstrable proficiency with legal databases (i.e., WestLaw or LexisNexis), Microsoft Office tools and/or Google Workspace, and major social media platforms

Education & Experience:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in law, paralegal studies, Indigenous/Native American studies, environmental studies, or a related field
• Three or more years of professional work experience conducting legal research and analysis, cite checking and Bluebooking documents, and managing large quantities of documents
• Paralegal/Certified Legal Assistant certification preferred
• Familiarity with environmental, natural resource, or cultural resource matters significant to Tribal Nations or Indigenous communities
• Project management experience
• Experience in making and following up on public records requests

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Compensation:

The salary range is $60,000-70,000, commensurate with experience and educational qualifications.

Work Hours & Environment:

This is a Forty (40) hours per calendar week position, fifty-two (52) weeks per calendar year; provided, however, during the time periods leading up to, during, and immediately following NCAI conferences and similar events, involvement up to Sixty (60) hours per week may be required.

This position is remote eligible.

How to Apply

To submit your application, please access the following website: https://ncai.applicantpro.com/jobs/

Job Categories: Environmental. Job Types: Full-Time. Salaries: 60,000 - 80,000.

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