Public Interest Job Search Boards and Databases

OPIA Job Feeds and Databases

  • Access to Justice Jobs
    Features postings from organizations improving access to justice.
  • 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 can register for a 3-month guest access in the HKS career management system “JACK” by logging in with their HarvardKey. Students 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.
  • University of Michigan Law School – Public Interest Careers
    The University of Michigan Law School offers a complete and informative site, offering public interest advising, summer and term-time opportunities, and funding information.
  • 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

Government Job Sites

Federal Government

State Government

  • GovtJobs.com
    Opportunities in government in cities, counties, states, executive search firms, advertising agencies and other governmental jurisdictions. Non-profits also advertise on the site.
  • Council of State Governments
    Provides networking and policy analysis to state executive and legislative offices. General information and links to state web pages.
  • National Conference of State Legislatures
    A job clearinghouse for state legislature positions, both legal and non-legal, and public policy positions.

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.
  • United States 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.
  • Institute for Global Communication
    Comprehensive site that links to job and volunteer opportunities. Click on “Job/Volunteer Opportunities.”
  • 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
  • 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

Children’s Rights

Civil Rights / Civil Liberties

  • Impact Fund’s mid-week jobs bulletin
    It 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.
  • 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.

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.
  • EnvironmentalCareer.com
    Can search by job category, region, or keyword.
  • Ecojobs.com
    Available by subscription. Updated every two weeks and includes legislative and advocacy jobs.
  • SustainableBusiness.com
    Under “Green Dream Jobs” can search by job type, skill level, and state.
  • PIRG Jobs & Opportunities
    Provides a listing of openings with the state public interest research groups

Food Law

Human Rights Law

Immigration and Refugee Law

International Development

Labor / Employment Law

Native American / Tribal Law

Political Campaigns

Pro Bono

Public Administration

Women’s Rights

  • Women’s Rights – The Feminist Majority
    Job and internship listings for jobs within feminist and progressive organizations.
  • Safe Horizon
    Links to domestic national, state, local and a few international domestic violence resources.
  • 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.
  • Women Watch
    Links, news, and relevant resources for Women Watch, part of the UN’s Inter-Agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE).
  • 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.