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Job Openings/Internships at AWI

JOB OPENINGS

GENERAL COUNSEL

AWI and the General Counsel’s Role:
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is a nonprofit organization that seeks to alleviate the suffering caused to animals by people. AWI, with headquarters in the Eastern Market district of Washington, D.C., has approximately 38 staff and 25 consultants operating from locations around the United States. The role of the General Counsel is to ensure that the organization remains in compliance with the law; protect the organization from undue risk and exposure; and provide advice and counsel on litigation and other legal matters that affect the ability of the organization to pursue its mission and maintain sound infrastructure, programs, and fundraising operations.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Provide strategic advice and consultation to the President and Executive Director on all legal matters concerning the operation of the organization and furtherance of its mission
  • Review, negotiate, and draft various corporate contracts and other legal documents (including confidentiality agreements, consulting contracts, etc.)
  • Ensure that all policies, procedures, staff and functional areas of the organization operate in compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations
  • Conduct comprehensive research and analysis on diverse substantive and procedural issues
  • Educate staff on legal issues/risks facing specific areas of their work
  • Liaise with outside counsel, particularly regarding litigation
  • Conduct outreach to secure outside counsel able to provide pro bono services
  • Other duties as assigned by the President or Executive Director.


Education:

  • J.D. degree from an ABA-Approved U.S. law school
  • Admitted to practice law in a U.S. state or the District of Columbia


Experience:

  • 2-3 years of prior law firm or other comparable experience; in-house corporate experience (for-profit or nonprofit) a plus
  • Experience in litigation, general corporate or nonprofit practice and/or nonprofit development or finance


Background:

  • Contract drafting experience
  • Knowledge of relevant substantive areas of nonprofit corporate law
  • Knowledge of animal law is not required, but a commitment to animal welfare is


Skills:

  • Strong research and analytical skills
  • Strong written and oral communication skills
  • Excellent judgment and discretion, especially regarding confidential and sensitive matters
  • Ability to prioritize heavy workload and work independently with minimal supervision


Salary/Benefits:
Salary is commensurate with experience and abilities. Benefits include medical/dental insurance, 401(k), vacation, sick/personal & holiday time off and on-site parking.

Contact:
Please send a cover letter (including salary history), resume and writing sample Animal Welfare Institute, 900 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20003 or by email to jobs@awionline.org.

Due to the large number of applicants, only those moving to the interview phase of the process will be notified.

 

 

FARM ANIMAL POLICY ASSOCIATE

Description:
The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) is a national animal welfare organization that has been alleviating the suffering inflicted on animals by people since 1951. AWI is currently seeking a Policy Associate to join the group’s farm animal program team at its Washington, DC headquarters. This position helps develop policy and legal strategy for specific farm animal protection issues and advocates for farm animal protection before the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and administrative agencies, particularly federal and state departments of agriculture.

Responsibilities include:

  • Propose means of protecting farm animals through policy-making processes (legislation, agency regulation, litigation)
  • Draft complaints, federal agency petitions, state and federal legislation, public records requests and other policy-related documents
  • Draft, revise, and update website content
  • Develop contacts and avenues of communication among agriculture industry officials, government officials and consumer NGOs
  • Coordinate activities with AWI General Counsel and outside counsel representing or consulting with AWI
  • Participate in farm animal program planning and priority setting
  • Represent AWI at hearings, meetings, and events

Qualifications desired:

  • Degree in law or public policy
  • Prior advocacy experience
  • An understanding of and passion for farm animal welfare issues
  • Knowledge of federal and state policy-making process
  • Knowledge of federal and state laws/regulations that govern the treatment of farm animals
  • Strong written and verbal communications and public speaking skills
  • Ability to both work well independently and within a team
  • Ability to coordinate multiple projects simultaneously
  • Willingness to travel on occasion

To apply:
Please send resume, cover letter including an explanation of your interests in farm animal protection, and brief writing sample to jobs@awionline.org.

Application period:
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.

Due to the large number of applicants, only those moving to the interview phase of the process will be notified.

 

 

INTERNSHIPS

LEGISLATIVE INTERNS
(Accepting applications for Fall 2013.)

AWI seeks two legislative interns every fall, spring, and summer. This is a great opportunity for law students, political science students, or anyone with a passion for making a difference in the lives of animals. Interns will assist our government and legal affairs staff in maintaining updated Hill contact lists, delivering documents to and attend meetings with Congressional offices and assisting staff in research; as well as miscellaneous tasks of an administrative nature. No specific academic major is required; however, preferred candidates will have a strong work ethic and be willing to take on any project. Interns may work full-time or part-time and can arrange to receive course credit. Please submit a resume and cover letter, stating why you wish to become an advocate for animals to Chris Heyde at chris@awionline.org. These positions are located in our Capitol Hill office and are unpaid.

FARM ANIMAL INTERNS
(Accepting Fall 2013 applications.)

The Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) works to reduce animal suffering and promote the welfare of all animals, including animals in agriculture. As a part of our mission, we promote humane farming systems and work to advance legislative and regulatory efforts to improve the conditions of farm animals. We also administer our own animal care certification program, Animal Welfare Approved, through which we work with scientists and farmers to set the highest farm animal care standards in the country.

Farm animal interns have the opportunity to learn more about advocacy efforts to protect farm animals. Potential responsibilities include research and writing, tracking legislation and regulations, and drafting public policy comments. Projects will cover a range of factory farming issues; the intern will support AWI in its efforts to eliminate harmful on-farm practices, improve conditions during long-distance transport, encourage humane handling at slaughter, and educate the public regarding the meaning of welfare-related claims on food products. The ideal candidate will have a genuine interest in animal welfare and a background in law, public policy, or animal science.

The internship is located in our Capitol Hill office and is unpaid. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to Dena Jones at dena@awionline.org.

WILDLIFE LAW & POLICY INTERNS
AWI offers 2-4 on-site internships every fall, spring, and summer for persons enthusiastic about our work to protect wildlife, both terrestrial and aquatic. We also accept up to 5 off-site/remote interns on an ongoing basis. Currently, on-site Summer 2013 interns have been selected. We will start accepting applications for Fall 2013 on-site interns as of June 1, 2013. Candidates will be interviewed and selections will be made by early August.

Applicants must be willing to assist with a myriad of wildlife and marine mammal law and policy issues, including but not limited to drafting legal analyses, public comments, Endangered Species Act listing petitions and legal memos. Projects are diverse; most are ideal for a law school student but students pursuing Masters programs in scientific and/or public policy fields are also encouraged to apply.

To better acquaint yourself with AWI’s work before applying, please visit our wildlife program section. Interested applicants should send their cover letter and resume to Tara Zuardo at tara@awionline.org. Please specify the term you are seeking to intern for (i.e. Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring) and whether you are interested in an on-site or remote internship when you apply.

Law students: preference will go to students that have taken or are currently enrolled in any of the following courses: Environmental Law/Litigation/Clinic, Administrative Law, Animal Law, International Environmental Law, Wildlife Law, Public Lands & Resources Law, and/or related coursework. Please indicate whether you are a 1, 2, or 3L when you apply.

SAFE HAVEN PROGRAM INTERNS
(Accepting applications on an on-going basis.)

Part time intern(s) needed to assist with updating information about “safe haven” programs, i.e., domestic violence (DV) shelters that will also take a victim's pets or help her place them safely. Individuals involved with this project call DV shelters to find out if they provide such services and if so, whether they are on site or referrals. The calling list and a script are provided and calls can be made from one’s home during weekday hours anytime between 9:00 to 5:00. Hours worked per week: negotiable. This project is an important part of an AWI effort to develop a training program and technical assistance network for prosecutors to help them better handle animal abuse/animal fighting prosecutions; this updated information will be made available to them. Interested applicants email Mary Lou Randour at marylou@awionline.org.

SHARK FIN CAMPAIGN INTERN

Part-time or full-time intern(s) needed to assist with updating our popular on-line database of restaurants across the U.S. that sell shark fin soup and other shark products (http://awionline.org/content/restaurants-currently-offering-shark-fin-soup). We are seeking an intern to ensure the list is accurate and up to date. The work will entail online research and telephone calls to restaurants, data entry, and possibly some website maintenance work. Training will be given for all aspects of the work. The ideal candidate will have excellent organizational skills and be detail-oriented. Fluency in English is essential. An ability to speak Mandarin and/or Cantonese is preferred. Knowledge of Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook and Excel is required. Please contact susan@awionline.org for more information, and to apply with resume and cover letter.

 

Last Updated: April 2013