Job Title: Staff Counsel
Department: Finance & Operations, Office of General Counsel
Location: Washington, DC
Reports to: Assistant General Counsel, Director of Compliance
Apply on the Sierra Club's website here: https://chm.tbe.taleo.net/chm01/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=SIERRACLUB&cws=39&rid=1564
Context: Do you want to protect the planet? Are you looking to make a difference? Are you someone who cares deeply about moving the U.S. towards clean energy and protecting our wild places? Are you interested in putting your skills towards impactful programs? If so, we'd love for you to become part of Sierra Club's Office of General Counsel at a critical moment for our country and our planet.
Sierra Club is looking for a self-motivated attorney to be an integral member of the Office of General Counsel. This year our organization will be focusing more than ever before on state and local electoral priorities and is seeking a team member who has knowledge of state and local campaign finance regulations and compliance. Beyond 2020, we are looking for someone who is a natural problem-solver and motivated to carry out process improvement projects with staff and volunteer leadership across the organization.
Scope: The Staff Counsel will work with the team on a variety of in-house legal issues but will primarily be responsible for reviewing plans and materials for regulatory compliance purposes, providing legal support regarding state and local campaign finance activities and providing general legal support, including contract reviews and negotiations.
Job Activities:
Coordinates and reviews state and local project plans and material for compliance with tax and election law. Works with the National Political Team and chapter political teams to design and adjust organizational plans to ensure compliance with regulations and Sierra Club guidelines.
Develops schedules and plans to meet all state and local regulatory reporting deadlines. As needed, files or supports the filing of state and local level regulatory registration reports.
Maintains systems for tracking and updating state and local election law guidance and legal opinions.
Creates, designs, and delivers political compliance training materials and conducts political compliance trainings in coordination with Compliance & Regulatory Reporting Officer, National Political Team, and chapter political teams.
Performs outreach and trains state level activists on Sierra Club policies and assists them in creating compliant campaign plans. Supports Political Desk in answering questions.
Provides expertise in state and local lobbying and ethics regulations. Partners with the Senior Compliance Officer and State Legislative Director to maintain systems for tracking and updating state and local lobbying reporting processes, acting as an advisor to the chapter staff and volunteers responsible for the state and local reporting requirements. Drafts guidance and legal opinions on matters of state and local lobbying requirements.
Engages in the review and approval of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) materials to ensure proper use of funds.
Supports the organization's contract review and management functions, including the negotiation, drafting, and review of a wide range of contracts and other commercial agreements, working closely with internal business and program staff.
Reviews and evaluates business practices, decisions, and actions for legal risk.
Advises and supports staff and volunteer leaders across the organization on a range of other legal, business and operational issues relevant to a large, complex tax-exempt organization, including organizational policies and governance issues, troubleshooting problems, and responding to other matters.
Performs research and provides written and oral advice on a wide variety of legal issues in support of General Counsel's role.
Supports the implementation and growth of state and local political and advocacy work in locations or areas that do not have an established or robust program due to lack of resources or volunteer capacity.
Performs miscellaneous duties, special projects and reports as assigned.
Knowledge & Skills:
Juris Doctor. Admitted to practice and in good standing with the DC State bar OR admitted in another State bar and eligible for admission into DC.
Prior experience in or knowledge of campaign finance law is required. Prior candidate campaign or political party experience will be considered in lieu of direct campaign finance legal experience.
Strong legal drafting skills and substantial contract review and negotiation experience, preferably for a broad range of clients and types of agreements.
Proficient in use of Windows-based computer systems, including Google Apps and Microsoft Office.
Excellent organizational skills. Ability to track multiple priorities.
Ability to communicate and work effectively with volunteers, staff, and outside counsel.
Strong written and oral communication skills. Excellent legal research skills.
Able to work independently and as a constructive team member; exercise initiative (ie., set own work priorities), and independent judgment and decision making
The Sierra Club offers competitive salary package commensurate with skills and experience plus excellent benefits that include medical, dental, and vision coverage, and a retirement savings 401(k) plan.
This is a category 5 exempt position.
Sierra Club is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. Sierra Club employees are not eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program.
Sierra Club values the expertise and talents of foreign nationals. Sierra Club sponsors both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas when certain criteria are met, based on immigration laws and organizational needs. Such sponsorship is at the discretion of the Department Head and Sierra Club Human Resources in consultation with the employee's manager. The Sierra Club cannot guarantee the approval of a visa petition. The Sierra Club is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.
Explore, enjoy and protect the planet.
*If you are applying for more than one position with us, please attach your job-specific cover letters in the 'Attachments' section.
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