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The Nature Conservancy

Senior Paralegal

The Nature Conservancy, Chester, NJ, United States


"OFFICE LOCATIONUnited StatesNorth Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia based candidates preferred. #PDN#LI-RemoteWHO WE AREThe mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world's toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.One of TNC's primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we'll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply - we'd love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, "you'll join for the mission, and you'll stay for the people."WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHERThe Senior Paralegal, under minimal supervision of a TNC attorney, provides an advanced level of expertise to support and coordinate legal services for assigned business units or projects, ensuring that transactions and activities are legally sound and consistent with TNC's mission, authority, policies, and procedures. The Senior Paralegal applies advanced knowledge and skills to serve organizational needs in a highly efficient and effective manner. They can effectively articulate relevant legal concepts and internal policies and procedures to others. They have a solid understanding of the concept of legal liability and risk management. WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUAre you looking for work that makes a difference? The Nature Conservancy has received a $200 million grant that will support implementation of nature-based solutions across four states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland. Projects will focus on improved forest management, peatland restoration and tidal wetland enhancements. This grant is part of a historic $421 million award from the Environmental Protection Agency's Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) Program that will fund both state-led projects and TNC-led projects. North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland, and TNC Chapters within those states joined together in forming the Atlantic Conservation Coalition to implement this program. The term of the grant is five years. TNC seeks to protect 67,650 acres of Appalachian Forest and 25,450 acres of bottomland hardwoods, restore 33,000 acres of peatlands and protect an additional 10,500 acres of peatlands, and restore 150 acres of tidal wetlands. When complete, these efforts will result in sequestering the equivalent of between 200,054 and 507,871 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually through 2050. At a minimum that is the equivalent of taking more than 120,874 gas-powered vehicles off the road each year. Your legal and organizational skills will provide necessary support to accomplish this project and our broader mission to preserve the land and waters on which all life depends. As Senior Paralegal you will work with other members of the legal team to acquire and protect conservation real property, review grant agreements that fund our work, and draft and revise contracts for implementing nature-based solutions to climate change. You'll have exceptional communication and organizational skills, be self-motivated, detail oriented, able to multi-task, track and complete many items simultaneously and have great customer service skills! You will work closely with legal team members based primarily in Virginia, but also supporting other team members in North Carolina and will work Eastern time zone working hours. Preference will be given to applicants located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia as there will be opportunities to engage with the project team in person. While this is a remote position, hybrid options may also be available based on candidate location. WHAT YOU'LL BRING Bachelor's degree plus at least 5 years of combined legal and administrative experience OR equivalent qualifications acquired through coursework and/or related job experience that demonstrates (i) assumption of significant responsibilities for supporting and coordinating complex or specialized legal work and (ii) ability to engage in legal analysis. Legal experience with real estate transactions. Experience conducting research on the Internet and in other legal resources. Attention to detail and organizational skills. Experience in project and/or process management for efficient workflow. Experience with MS Office (Word, Excel, etc.), enterprise file management solutions such as iManage, and any other relevant technology. Communication, critical thinking, writing, editing and proofreading skills, including experience editing and drafting legal documents. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS Legal experience with contracts and grants (private and/or governmental). Legal experience with large scale land acquisitions. Experience working with cross-functional teams in a decentralized organization. WHAT WE BRINGSince 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world! TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.We're proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATIONThe Nature Conservancy offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including; health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan including employer match, accrued paid time off (including annual, personal, and sick leave), life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work wellness benefits. Benefits may be subject to generally applicable eligibility, waiting period, contribution, and other requirements and conditions. Learn more about our benefits at nature.org/careers. We're proud to offer a work-environment that is supportive of the health, wellness, and flexibility needs of the people we employ.SALARY INFORMATIONThe starting pay range for a candidate selected for this hourly position is generally within the range of $50,000 - $75,000 for annual base pay. This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience.Your geographic location and corresponding salary range will be confirmed during the recruitment. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. APPLY NOWTo apply for job ID 55922, submit your RESUME and COVER LETTER online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page 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 people 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.Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to applyhelp@tnc.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC's value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible. Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we're registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we're unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request. https://www.eeoc.gov/eeo-policy-statement