Associate General Counsel, Contract and Compliance

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is seeking an experienced attorney for an Associate General Counsel, Contracts and Compliance position based in NPCA’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. The Associate General Counsel, Contracts and Compliance, will assist NPCA’s General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel in managing NPCA’s extensive portfolio of contracts and other corporate, business law and compliance matters, and providing general legal and corporate counsel to various NPCA departments, regional offices, and programs to ensure the efficient review and processing of contracts, leases, MOUs, and other business matters to advance NPCA’s park protection mission.

Location: Washington, D.C. (option for full-time remote or hybrid from Washington, D.C. area location)

Grade: O

Salary: $112,000- $125,000, commensurate with skills and experience.

Work Status: Full-time (32 hours per week); Exempt

Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for this role including a four-day, 32-hour work week, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and paid sabbaticals for staff after seven years of service. Learn more about our benefits at npca.org/jobs.  

Essential Functions: (% of Time)

Contracts (50%)

• Assist in the drafting, review and negotiation of contracts, MOUs, office leases, non-disclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, etc. for all departments, regional offices, and programs.
• Develop and update contract templates and manage their efficient utilization.
• Advise departments, regional offices, and programs on the interpretation of, and compliance with, contractual arrangements.
• Assist departments, regional offices, and programs with contract dispute resolution.
• Update, implement, monitor, evaluate the full range of institutional policies and procedures relating to contracting, and work with other departments to facilitate the achievement of institutional objectives as they relate to contracting.
• Identify, engage, and manage outside counsel, as needed, in providing contract review/negotiation services.
• Assist in developing, enhancing, implementing, training, and utilizing contract management platform.
• Other duties as assigned by the General Counsel and/or the Deputy General Counsel.

Compliance (50%)

• Provide advice and counsel on 501(c)(3) and affiliated 501(c)(4) compliance issues, including, but not limited to, election year considerations and lobbying compliance for non-profits.
• Provide advice and counsel on issues involving insurance policies, organizational risk management, privacy and corporate registrations.
• Provide support to project teams for revisions to organizational document retention and other business management policies.
• Provide compliance guidance to management and leadership on corporate governance (e.g., bylaws and charters), ethics, investment, and other significant organizational issues as needed.
• Provide advice and counsel on corporate sponsorships, commercial co-venture agreements, and sponsorship activations.
• Provide advice and counsel on copyright and trademark issues related to online and print media, including managing outside counsel to maintain and keep NPCA’s trademark registrations up to date.
• Provide advice and counsel on general non-profit fundraising matters, including, but not limited to, assisting in management of outside counsel on trusts and estates matters.
• Provide advice and counsel on legal issues and risk management related to NPCA’s travel program.
• Conduct legal research and provide counsel to various business departments on a variety of subjects, including rulings and regulations applying to non-profits.
• Assist the General Counsel and/or Deputy General Counsel in staffing Board Committee meetings, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel and/or Deputy General Counsel.

Other:

Respect employees regardless of their position or background. Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems. Participates in administrative staff meetings, organization-wide meetings, staff committee meetings, training programs, and attends other meetings and seminars as designated by the supervisor. Assists in evaluation of reports, decisions, and results of department in relation to established goals. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. 

Minimum Work Schedule: NPCA’s typical work schedule is Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (32-hour work week). Although some evening and Friday and/or weekend work may be required, NPCA tries to provide a flexible and balanced work schedule. Some travel may be necessary for meetings, conferences, and work events when appropriate.

Minimum Scope of Position: Interacts with NPCA staff at all levels in all departments, regional offices, and programs. Develops and fosters existing relationships with outside legal counsel. Works effectively and collaboratively with external parties. Tracks and stays abreast of relevant non-profit business law developments and implements changes internally, as appropriate. Demonstrates clear and effective written and verbal communication skills.

Minimum Qualifications, Competencies, Skills, Education, and Traits:

• D. degree and bar membership in good standing.
• At least 6-7 years’ experience in corporate, contracts, and business law at a law firm, non-profit organization, in-house corporate legal department, and/or governmental agency.
• Experience with 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) non-profit legal and compliance issues strongly preferred.
• Strong drafting, negotiation, research, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proven ability to balance and prioritize multiple projects, work efficiently under time constraints, and satisfactorily meet internal and external deadlines.
• Strong academic record, strong work ethic, pays attention to detail, and exercises sound judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and creatively with other legal and non-legal staff, both internal and external to the organization.
• Integrity, professional discretion, and ability to handle sensitive/confidential matters.
• Demonstrated passion for national parks and environmental conservation.

Core Values

Live, honor, and own the organization’s Core Values:

Commitment: We are passionate about NPCA and dedicated to achieving excellence through our work and mission. We seek to improve our performance by taking opportunities for professional and personal development and encouraging reasonable risk-taking and innovation. 

Inclusion: We value diversity of thought, background, experience, and opinion. We create a culture of empowerment by welcoming and encouraging meaningful participation from all people and promoting an environment that embraces different perspectives. 

Integrity: We hold ourselves accountable to each other, our members and partners, and our mission. We evaluate the impact of our work and strive for honesty and transparency across the organization. We operate ethically in the organization’s best interests. 

Respect: We collaborate in results-oriented teams based on trust and consideration for each other. We promote harmony between our work and our personal lives. We foster a healthy and positive workplace culture and work collaboratively with external partners. 

Physical Effort and Dexterity: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is typically required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; talk or hear. The employee may lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Physical Environment: Option for remote work, but typical office cube when in an in-person office setting.

Employer’s Rights: NPCA reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.  The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the NPCA and employee and is subject to change by the NPCA as the needs of the NPCA and requirements of the job change. The above is in no way an exhaustive list of the requirements for the position.