Public Interest Job Search Boards and Databases

OPIA Job Bank

  • CSM/Symplicity Job Bank
    View 1L, 2L, 3L, LLM, and alumni public interest jobs and fellowships submitted to OPIA in the job bank in CSM/Symplicity. Filter opportunities by sector, keyword, and location.
  • Access to Justice Jobs
    Features postings from organizations improving access to justice.
  • Democracy Jobs
    Features opportunities to work at voting and election reform organizations.
  • Equal Justice Works
    The Equal Justice Network is an online meeting place, information source and connection mechanism for lawyers and other advocates committed to equal justice.
  • Impact Fund’s mid-week jobs bulletin
    Features postings from firms and legal non-profits with a civil rights focus at all experience levels: fellowships to senior attorneys.  There’s no geographic focus, but as the org is based in CA, so are many of the posts.
  • In-House Counsel Directories
    Provides attorney information for thousands of organizations, including private firms and legal non-profits. The sites feature networking information and search customizations based on alumni status, prior firms, location, and practice area.
  • JACK
    Jobs and Careers for the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). Harvard Law School students and alumni can register for a 3-month guest access in the HKS career management system “JACK” by logging in with their HarvardKey. HLS students/alums must select “Guest/Reciprocal” as Student Type and enter their HLS email address. Their registration will become pending, and HKS will approve it within three business days.
  • National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA)
    Jobs in legal services, public defender offices, private public interest firms, nonprofits and academia. Searchable by job type and state.
  • OneJustice
    OneJustice engages all segments of the legal community and is working to expand the resources to serve the low-income Californians who turn to OneJustice legal services nonprofits to access life’s most basic necessities.
  • PSJD
    PSJD (formerly PSLawNet) is the online clearinghouse for law students and lawyers to connect with public interest opportunities and information on public interest careers.
  • Washington Council of Lawyers Public Interest Jobs Clearinghouse Digests
    A bi-weekly jobs newsletter is available by subscription through the Washington Council of Lawyers.  The newsletter is primarily focused on the Washington, DC area, but also includes a variety of out-of-state, non-law, and fellowship opportunities.

General Nonprofit

  • Care 2 Make a Difference
    Lists progressive policy job openings
  • Idealist.org
    Provides links to over 8,000 nonprofit organizations across the country and abroad. Site contains jobs and publications as well as support services, networking and fundraising information.
  • Independent Sector
    Lists job openings from its 600 member institutions on its web page.
  • Nonprofit Career Network
    Nonprofit job resource center. Can search by state. Alphabetical directory of nonprofit organizations.
  • NonProfitJobs.org
    Job listings searchable by job type, job title, salary, skill, and location.
  • Nonprofit Job Source
    Nonprofit job search engine.
  • Opportunity Knocks
    Nonprofit organization classifieds. Can search by keyword, organization type, position type and state/country.
  • Society for Nonprofit Organizations
    Nonprofit job listings that can be searched by type and location.

Government Job Sites

Federal Government

  • OPIA’s Presidential Transition and New Administration Resources
  • Careersingovernment.com
    On-line job board devoted to public-sector employment.
  • Congressional Employment Resources
    A list of resources for finding employment in the U.S. Senate, House, and other legislative branch organizations.
  • Government Honors and Internship Online Handbook (University of Arizona College of Law)
    An online listing of 85 summer and permanent attorney positions for 1, 2 and 3Ls. It is updated and kept current throughout the year. Please contact OPIA via email for the username and password.
  • NALP Public Service Initiatives and Federal Employment Guide
    Produced in collaboration with the Partnership for Public Service and the ABA Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division, this guide is a comprehensive source of information on federal departments and agencies as well as the federal government hiring process.
  • Presidential Management Fellows Program
    The purpose of the Presidential Management Fellows Program (PMF) is to attract people to federal service. The PMF attracts individuals from all disciplines. Click on the link to find out more about the application process and guidelines.
  • PSJD – Federal Government Resources
    The PSJD Resource Center offers a Federal Legal Employment Opportunities Guide and information on Careers in Federal Government.
  • RCJobs.com
    Roll Call, resource for Capitol Hill news and information since 1955. Employment site includes public and private sector jobs.
  • Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative
    The Senate Democratic Diversity Initiative is a component of the Leadership Office of Senate Democratic Leader Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), which assists Senate Democratic offices in building a diverse workforce.
  • Tom Manatos Jobs
    Job bank for Capitol Hill jobs. Sign up for their daily newsletter and/or pay a small membership fee to access their full site.
  • USA.gov
    The United States Government’s official web portal comprises a comprehensive search engine alongside links to information on the US government divided by topic. It also provides a link for feedback posted regarding questions on the US government.
  • USAJOBS
    Federal government job listings.
  • USAJOBS – Pathways and Other Opportunities for Students & Recent Graduates
    The Pathways Program includes federal government internship and employment opportunities for current students and recent graduates. The USAJOBS Federal Internship Portal also includes more federal government internship listings.

State Government

International Job Sites

General International Public Interest Sites

  • International Affairs Network
    Annotated list of links to sites on international affairs, human rights, development, and more.
  • NGOs in India
    This provides descriptive lists of non-governmental organizations including contact information and career opportunities in India, sorted by practice area.
  • NGOWatch
    This site compiles factual data and analysis about NGOs, as well as links to relevant issues and international organizations.
  • U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
    The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provides general guidance for Americans living abroad, as well as updated information on safety and security issues.
  • U.S. Department of State
    Updated information from the U.S. Department of State about international civil and political unrest, crime rate, and terrorist activity.
  • The WWW Virtual Library: International Affairs Resources
    Annotated list of links to sites on international affairs, human rights, development, and more.
  • WomeninDev
    The Women in Dev is a platform that connects and unites women working at all levels and across all regions in the international development, global health, and social justice sectors.

International Public Interest Job Search and Funding Sites

  • American Society of International Law (ASIL)
    HLS students receive complimentary access to the ASIL Job Board, which includes postings on summer and semester internships, as well as full-time jobs related to international law. Create an account using your Harvard email address (an individual ASIL membership is not required).
  • CARE USA
    Job site for one of the world’s largest international development and relief organizations with jobs at all levels in countries throughout the world. Well-organized subcategories outline CARE USA domestic and international opportunities and how to apply for employment. However, the site provides no specific information on legal employment.
  • Careers Representing America
    Lists careers in the US Department of State. Provides information on the foreign and civil service.
  • CDS International
    CDS international is a non-profit organization that advances practical international training opportunities for young professionals, students, educators, etc. The site highlights internship, fellowship and other opportunities to live and work abroad.
  • Council on Foundations
    Membership organization of more than 2,000 grant-making foundations and giving programs worldwide. Good way to find out more about foundations, international work, etc and news.
  • Council on International Educational Exchange
  • EurActiv
    EU news and policy debates across languages.
  • EuroBrussels
    Jobs in European Affairs Database.
  • Foreign Policy Association Job Board
  • Global Crossroad
  • Global Jobs
    Jobs for global professionals: NGO’s, Think Tanks, Government
  • Human Rights Internet
    Under “Jobs & Internships,” this site provides listings of openings in human rights and related areas. It also has links to other sites where you may find international job openings.
  • Idealist.org
    Provides links to over 8,000 nonprofit organizations, articles on current global news, and information on ways to engage with non-governmental organizations.
  • Intern Abroad
  • International Civil Service Commission
  • International Job Vacancies
    Contains a few legal announcements for current openings at the UN, World Bank, World Health Organization and NGOs throughout the world. (Click on Job Types and Legal Affairs for legal listings.)
  • International Jobs Center
  • International Legal Jobs (@IntlLegalJobs)
    X account that posts opportunities in international law for early and mid-career lawyers.
  • Lawyers without Borders
  • PSJD – Finding and Funding International Public Service Opportunities
    This section of PSJD (formerly PSLawNet) offers a number of resources to assist you in searching and applying for international public interest opportunities.
  • ReliefWeb: Humanitarian Vacancies
    This site primarily contains non-legal job opportunities, but several legal jobs are included.

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Specialty Area Job Sites

Animal Law

Civil Rights / Civil Liberties

  • Civil Rights – Civilrights.org
    Described as a “social justice network,” this site contains information about policy developments in civil rights, a directory of civil rights organizations, and a small career center with information about permanent jobs, internships, and fellowships.
  • Impact Fund’s mid-week jobs bulletin
    Features postings from firms and legal non-profits with a civil rights focus at all experience levels: fellowships to senior attorneys.  There’s no geographic focus but as the org is based in CA, so are many of the posts.

Criminal Prosecution and Defense

Environmental Law

  • Climate Change Careers
    Search the latest jobs at organizations solving climate change, or the latest courses in climate science, renewable energy, electric vehicles and more.
  • Ecojobs.com
    Available by subscription. Updated every two weeks and includes legislative and advocacy jobs.
  • EnvironmentalCareer.com
    Can search by job category, region, or keyword.
  • PIRG Jobs & Opportunities
    Provides a listing of openings with the state public interest research groups
  • SustainableBusiness.com
    Under “Green Dream Jobs” can search by job type, skill level, and state.

Food Law

Gender Equality

  • Association for Women’s Rights in Development
    Job listings in international women’s human rights and sustainable development organizations. The site for the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) comprises a comprehensive collection of information about international law.
  • Directory of Associations for Women Lawyers
    Published by the ABA, this directory contains listings of national, state, local, international, and multicultural organizations for women attorneys.
  • GenderJobs.org
    Job opportunities to work on gender equality, women’s rights, and LGBTQI+ rights.
  • Safe Horizon
    Links to domestic national, state, local and a few international domestic violence resources.
  • Women Watch
    Links, news, and relevant resources for Women Watch, part of the UN’s Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE).
  • Women’s Rights – The Feminist Majority
    Job and internship listings for jobs within feminist and progressive organizations.

Human Rights Law

Immigration and Refugee Law

International Development

Labor / Employment Law

Native American / Tribal Law

Plaintiffs’ Firms

Political Campaigns

Pro Bono

Public Administration