Legal Counsel (Part-time)

Work Arrangement: PT- 20 hours; Hybrid work arrangement

About New City Parks
Founded to address the lack of thriving urban parks in neighborhoods of need, New City Parks (NCP), a non-profit organization, builds environmental and community resilience in historically disenfranchised small and mid-sized cities in the Northeast. NCP focuses on park rehabilitation and creation projects that often fall outside the frame of large national organizations yet have intense capital and technical needs that are typically beyond the reach of local groups. NCP was founded under fiscal sponsorship in 2019 and has recently been launched as an independent tax-exempt organization.
NCP provides a broad range of expertise and proactive support with a highly distinctive and hands-on approach, as well as start-up capital to fill the most common, critical gaps in city capacity. We help secure public and private capital funding for site design and development and oversee projects from conception to completion and on through initial stewardship. In our five initial cities, five NCP park projects are now open to communities with nine additional projects well underway. Two to three new cities and a range of new projects are currently being selected. NCP has an annual operating budget of $3 million. Thanks to NCP’s fundraising expertise, close to $34 million has been raised in private and public capital funding for our initial parks.

NCP founder Rose Harvey served as Commissioner of New York State Parks for eight years and previously as National Director of Urban Programs for the Trust for Public Land. Please visit our website for more information: www.newcityparks.org. 
Description NCP seeks to engage part-time Legal Counsel to represent the organization in a variety of legal matters, including agreements with municipal governments, designers, and contractors, and advising NCP on matters of non-profit law. Primary responsibilities are working with staff to structure, document, and implement park and schoolyard projects which are consistent with NCP’s policies and procedures. This position will also manage pro bono work to leverage legal resources. The successful candidate should be resourceful and able to work independently since they will be the only lawyer on staff.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and support to advance New City Parks initiatives.
• Seek, oversee, and coordinate work of pro bono counsel.
• Draft, review, and advise on documents for park, schoolyard, and community engagement for planning, design, and construction projects (i.e., MOUs; RFPs and other procurement packages; design and construction contracts; agreements with public agencies; grant proposals and other funding agreements).
• Prepare board memoranda and board resolutions. Draft and review policies, procedures, minutes, and other corporate documents.
• Ensure that all legal agreements comply with laws, existing agreements, public policy, and internal policies and protocols.
• Participate with staff in stakeholder and consultant negotiations and discussions with public agencies and donors.
• Advise on Program Related Investments and/or loan funds to finance municipal park projects.
• Advise on construction issues such as contract matters, delays, variations, defects, insurance, and bond claims.
• Advise on insurance matters.
• Assist in post-completion administration.
• Provide a wide range of strategic and business advice as well as occasional tax and accounting guidance.

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position. There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor, admission to New York State Bar.
• Minimum five years’ experience in corporate, real estate, and/or environmental law.
• Knowledge of non-for-profit corporations and exempt organization law is desirable.
• Familiarity with municipal and state law, federal grants, and working with non-for-profit organizations and public agencies is desirable.
• Familiarity with construction contracts and AIA form contracts is desirable.
• Outstanding legal judgment, including the ability to analyze complex factual situations; research applicable law; and advise NCP on a variety of legal matters in a timely fashion.
• Ability to work independently with multiple consultants including outside counsel.
• Willingness to share knowledge and improve NCP’s delivery of services to its partners and stakeholders.
• Ability to anticipate problems and identify issues of concern in advance.
• Comfortable working in multiple jurisdictions and managing multiple projects in a decentralized environment.
• Ability to manage time and organize diverse activities.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Extensive computer skills including proficiency in Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Word.
• Commitment to New City Park’s mission.

Compensation, Working Hours, & Commitment to Diversity
This is a flexible, part-time exempt position. The salary range is $50,000 – $75,000.
Some travel is required, typically within the greater NYC metro region. Occasional events or meetings outside standard office hours and in other locations where NCP operates.

New City Parks is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender identification, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, or veteran status. We believe in creating a workplace based on equal opportunity, and in the increased effectiveness that comes from a diverse workforce. To this end, we strive to:

• Hire staff that reflect a full range of racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual, and socioeconomic identities.
• Create a workplace where true diversity is fostered, and different perspectives are valued and freely exchanged.
• Support low-income communities and communities of color particularly affected by social inequities.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sits for long periods of time.
• Frequently speaks, reads, writes, and uses a computer keyboard.