Paralegal Position at the Nature Conservancy

JOB TITLE: Paralegal I
POSITION TITLE: Paralegal I
JOB FAMILY: Legal
JOB NUMBER: 350001
SALARY GRADE: 4
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
RELATED POSITION TITLES: Legal Document Manager, Project Information Manager, Project Information Coordinator


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Assists Conservancy attorneys by coordinating legal contracts and assists in the management of legal issues which may include contracting issues, The Nature Conservancy Saving the Last Great Places conflicts of interest, and other Conservancy activities. Work requires English and Spanish fluency with Portuguese language skills preferred. Duties include managing files and drafting and reviewing routine legal documents and correspondence as well as entering/tracking data. With project managers and contract coordinators, maintains accurate records of legal agreements, tracking the status of all draft contracts and other agreements and monitoring review deadlines, etc. May provide assistance in training staff.


KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:
• Associate's degree, Bachelor’s degree preferred, with at least 1 year related experience, preferably in a legal/records management setting.
• Solid knowledge of MS Office, Power Point, Word (including redlining features), and Excel. May require database management skills with ability to produce reports. Ability to use advanced computer functions including navigating the Internet. Ability to manipulate, analyze and interpret data.
• Proven organizational and project management skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to comprehend and work with legal documents and transactions.
• Organizational and administrative skills, including the ability to work with competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to obtain information from the internet.
• Ability to track information in a spreadsheet format and produce periodic reports.

COMPLEXITY/PROBLEM SOLVING:
• Performs tasks that require recognition, evaluation, organization, analysis and communication of relevant facts and legal concepts.
• Consults with supervisor or other legal team staff to develop plans for resolution of unusual or complex problems.
• May redesign spreadsheets or other systems as needed.

DISCRETION/LATITUDE/DECISION-MAKING:
• Performs duties under general supervision of a Conservancy attorney or other legal team staff.
• Performs duties independently without minimum daily supervision.
• Refers difficult questions and unusual problems to supervisor or legal team staff.
• Demonstrates common sense, flexibility and teamwork with the ability to exercise good judgment.

RESPONSIBILITY/OVERSIGHT –FINANCIAL & SUPERVISORY:
• Occasionally supervise volunteers, interns, or temporary staff.


COMMUNICATIONS/INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS:
• Ability to work with and communicate with all levels of staff, attorneys, government officials, and the public.
• Requires English and Spanish fluency. Additional Portuguese skills preferred.
• Provides legal and other staff with information they need to make accurate and timely decisions.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills required.
• Maintains constructive relationships and has ability to maintain confidentiality.

OTHER DUTIES:

General:
• Review and comment on template agreements and contracts under the direct supervision of an attorney including but not limited to government agreements.
• Compose, edit and distribute correspondence, memoranda and draft routine legal documents, under the direct supervision of an attorney.
• Perform accurate translations of legal documents as needed.
• Maintain accurate computer records and manual files for relevant legal issues and projects.
• Maintain effective organizational and tickler systems for all projects and provide weekly and quarterly reports.
• Provide backup as required for other positions.
• Coordinate staff contract training (including annual and quarterly updates).
• Track any contract expert certification status of Conservancy staff members.
• Coordinate approval of conflict of interest memoranda.
• Design and organize electronic and hard copy agreement files and database(s).

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• Work requires only minor physical exertion and/or strain.
• Willingness to travel as needed, less than 10 % of the time.

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Send resume and cover letter to
(email preferred):

wolegal@tnc.org

The Nature Conservancy
Attn: Amanda Sennert
4245 North Fairfax Drive
Suite 100
Arlington, Virginia 22203

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE