Senior Paralegal

Description

A LITTLE ABOUT US

Founded in 1951, the Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable.  One of our core values is our commitment to diversity. Therefore, we strive for a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Working in 72 countries, including all 50 United States, we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. To learn more, visit www.nature.org or follow @nature_press on Twitter.

The Nature Conservancy offers competitive compensation, 401k or savings-plan matching for eligible employees, excellent benefits, flexible work policies and a collaborative work environment. We also provide professional development opportunities and promote from within. As a result, you will find a culture that supports and inspires conservation achievement and personal development, both within the workplace and beyond.

YOUR POSITION WITH TNC

The Senior Paralegal assists one attorney in the Eastern U.S. Division Legal Department in providing highly specialized legal services to internal clients, by providing paralegal, database and administrative services.  Duties include creation, implementation and maintenance of systems for efficient operation of the legal team that supports TNC’s Virginia and West Virginia Business Units.  The ideal candidate will have a strong work ethic and possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills.  The position is located in TNC’s Charlottesville office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

With minimal supervision from a TNC attorney, the Senior Paralegal provides an advanced level of expertise to support and coordinate legal services on complex and/or high value matters for assigned business units or projects, ensuring that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with TNC’s mission, authority, policies, and procedures.  Essential functions include assisting an attorney with real estate transactions, contracts, litigation management and other projects.  Duties may include managing files, drafting routine legal documents, correspondence and forms, entering data into the Conservancy’s legal database and preparing financial information for posting to the Conservancy’s general ledger.  Duties may also include management and maintenance of portions of the Conservancy’s legal database, including providing guidance to internal clients related to database standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND SCOPE

• Supports and coordinates complex and/or high value real estate transactions and contracts, regulatory compliance filings, employment law, litigation management or other specialized legal areas.
• Ensures legal commitments, TNC policies and procedures, and legal requirements are met and managed for compliance.
• Collects and manages official corporate legal files, in electronic and paper form.
• Drafts and revises complex legal documents for review by attorney.
• Independently drafts well-written memoranda, correspondence, and transaction documents (such as escrow instructions and deeds) and revises as necessary.
• Initiates and completes financial and accounting forms, in paper form and electronically using financial applications related to legal matters, and ensures that such forms comply with TNC policies and procedures.
• Manages appropriate portions of TNC’s conservation lands database.
• Assists business unit staff with preparation of project approval resolutions and supporting materials.
• Independently interacts and coordinates with assigned business unit staff and outside parties.
• Supervises and/or provides guidance and training to less experienced paralegals, legal support staff, and volunteers.
• May assist TNC attorneys in trainings for legal and business unit staff.
• May have significant financial responsibility, including limited budget management authority; authorizes check requests, and wire instructions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in paralegal or legal assistant studies plus 4 years of combined legal and administrative experience OR equivalent qualifications acquired through coursework and/or related job experience that demonstrates assumption of significant responsibilities for supporting and coordinating complex or specialized legal work.
• Advanced experience conducting research on the Internet and in other legal resources.
• Advanced experience with MS Office, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Adobe Acrobat and any other relevant technology.
• Experience writing, editing, proofreading and organizing.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant legal experience in real estate acquisitions and sales, and contract administration.
• Experience working with databases.
• Experience with accounting/financial issues and analysis.
• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.

SALARY INFORMATION

The salary range for this position is $47,000 – 49,000, depending on qualifications.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply to position number 46945, submit resume and cover letter separately (both required) using the upload buttons. All applications must be submitted in the system prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2, 2018.  nature.org/careers

Click “submit” to apply for the position or “save for later” to create a draft application for future submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised or edited. Failure to complete required fields may result in your application being disqualified from consideration.

If you experience technical issues, please refer to our applicant user guide or contact applyhelp@tnc.org.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of men and women of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

The successful applicant must meet the requirements of The Nature Conservancy’s background screening process.