Job description

Administrator, Legal Department, The Public Interest Network

The Public Interest Network operates more than 15 organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world, a set of core values, and a strategic approach to change. These groups include U.S. PIRG, Environment America and National Environmental Law Center, and encompass 400-plus staff.

We take a principled, but pragmatic approach to creating change. We build organizations and run campaigns that connect big ideas to concrete policy changes that improve the quality of our environment and our lives. We’re transpartisan—we reach out to everybody who might agree with us and consider joining us, including liberals, conservatives and everyone in between. We value dialogue over polarization. We invest in people and strategies that deliver results, including advocacy, lobbying, campaigning, litigation, policy research and grassroots organizing. 

Over the past 45 years, our coordinated approach has won hundreds of victories. In the past year, we helped convince California, New Mexico, Washington state and Maine to commit to getting 100% of their energy from zero-carbon sources. We helped convince McDonald’s to reduce the overuse of antibiotics in its global beef supply. And we helped convince Maryland, Maine, Oregon and Connecticut to ban some types of the single-use plastics that are polluting our environment and harming wildlife. 

But we need to do more. And every day brings a new challenge or new opportunity. No matter how big the challenge, we know how to break down problems to a manageable size; set ambitious but achievable goals; and work hard to win and build the resources we need to win the next campaign.

In order to achieve these results, the groups in The Public Interest Network need a strong backup staff to provide the resources, guidance, and infrastructure it takes to make progress on these issues. We are currently hiring a Legal Administrator for our in-house legal department. The mission of the Network’s in-house legal department, based in Denver, CO, is to provide legal services to member groups across the country on a wide variety of matters and practice areas.  

Job Description

Representative Responsibilities include:

Intake and tracking: Act as the Network’s contact person and gatekeeper for all new legal issues and inquiries. Responsible for evaluating incoming requests for completeness & level of priority, assigning matters to attorneys, and tracking progress to resolution. Facilitate attorney-client communications.

 

Liaise with group directors: Effectively communicate legal issues to Network staff. Where necessary, assist in formulating and implementing organizational policy related to legal goals/imperatives. Protect the organizations’ interests in interactions with landlords, government agencies, vendors and contractors. Help to ensure the organizations’ First Amendment rights to go door to door, engage the public in public venues, and otherwise advocate on behalf of the public interest.

 

Corporate & charitable compliance: Work with group directors to ensure the health of Network organizations, including working with boards of directors; drafting meeting agendas, resolutions, and minutes; and conducting regular internal compliance audits. He/she also serves as the central administrator for about a dozen organizations—filing or overseeing corporate and charitable solicitation reports in over 30 states.

 

Form new organizations and projects: Assist in the creation and initial set-up of new organizations and entities. 

 

Legal department systems and projects: Set up and maintain the central departmental filing system, systems for tracking corporate and charitable registrations and reports, tracking of board meetings and board composition, and create and manage other systems and special projects as needs arise.

Qualifications

Applicants must be goal-driven and sharp, with a track record of exercising independent judgment and discretion to solve problems. Top candidates will be driven by the idea of building a non-profit organization, have an outstanding work ethic, and the maturity to manage confidential and/or sensitive information. This is not an attorney position—J.D. is not required. Candidates with 1-4 years working with non-profits or campaigns are encouraged to apply.

Compensation & Benefits

Target annual compensation for this position is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has. The Public Interest Network offers a competitive benefits package. We also offer an excellent training program and opportunities for advancement.

Location 

Denver, Colorado

To Apply 

Complete our online application.

Things to Know When You Apply

The Public Interest Network is home to 15-plus organizations that share a vision of a better country, a set of core values about our work and a coordinated strategic approach to getting things done. Click here: https://publicinterestnetwork.org/core-values.html for things you should know about our network when you apply.

The Public Interest Network is an equal opportunity employer.

Location

Details

Employer
The Public Interest Network

Job category
Administrative

Employment type
Full Time

Experience
1 – 4 years

Compensation
Target annual compensation for this position is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has.

Start date
May 11, 2020

Apply by February 27, 2020