Paralegal - Associate, Staff, or Senior (DOE)

Job Title: Paralegal - Associate, Staff, or Senior (DOE)

Program: Environmental Health

Employment Type: [ ] Salary   [X] Hourly (non-exempt – this position is eligible for over time)

                                   [  ] Part-time [ X ] Full-time

                                   [  ] Temporary [ X ] Regular

Reports to: Environmental Health Legal Director

Direct Reports to this position: n/a

Salary Range: Salary/position tier DOE:

• Associate Paralegal: $54,000–$59,500
  
• Staff Paralegal: $59,500–72,500 
  
• Senior Paralegal: $72,500–81,000

Location: Portland, Oregon and/or Oregon preferred but not required. Will strongly consider remote-work applicants from other locations.

Is this position in the Bargaining Unit?  [ X ] Yes   [   ] No
Job Classification: Paralegal - (Associate, Staff, or Senior – DOE)
*Because this position is in the Bargaining Unit, some fees may be required depending on where the candidate lives as a condition of employment.

How to apply: Please apply online by completing our application and submitting a cover letter, resume, and reference list. The position will remain open until filled. The desired start date is as soon as possible. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. No telephone calls, please.

ABOUT THE CENTER
The Center for Biological Diversity, a national 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, believes the welfare of human beings is deeply linked to nature — to the existence of a vast diversity of wild animals, plants and people. Because diversity has intrinsic value, and because its loss impoverishes society, we work to secure a future for all species, great and small, hovering on the brink of extinction. We do so through science, law, advocacy and creative media, with a focus on protecting the lands, waters and climate that humans, other species and all communities need to survive and thrive.

We want those who come after us to inherit a world where the wild is still alive.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Center for Biological Diversity’s Environmental Health program works to protect imperiled wildlife and their habitats using science, law, advocacy, and creative media. The Paralegal will provide legal secretarial and administrative support to the Environmental Health program attorneys, with an emphasis on litigation support. The working environment is fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Preparing legal documents, including checking citations, completing tables of contents and authorities for briefs, proofreading, formatting, and ensuring compliance with court rules in a variety of federal jurisdictions;
• Serving legal documents by Certified Mail, preparing courtesy/chambers copies, corresponding with vendors and Clerks' offices, and related tasks;
• Assisting with maintaining the Center’s and programs’ litigation-tracking databases and calendar management of court filings, administrative actions, and internal deadlines;
• Preparing and indexing administrative records and appendices/excerpts of records in litigation;
• Preparing billing spreadsheets;
• Conducting factual and legal research and drafting, and document review;
• Working with attorneys to review, organize, and summarize factual documents, and pulling documents from PACER and other court databases;
• Finalizing and submitting petitions and comment letters, including retrieving online references;
• Maintenance of legal library, including updating of court rules and reference materials;
• Maintenance and updating of electronic databases and systems for filings, program campaigns, program management, and other program actions;
• Providing general administrative and clerical support for the program as needed.
• Assisting with preparation for events such as public presentations, rallies, and hearings;
• Handling and tracking payments for incurred expenses, which may include filing fees, bar dues, CLE registration, and submit monthly expense reports to Accounting;
• Calendar and otherwise manage deadlines;
• Coordinating legal filings using PACER/ECF throughout multiple federal jurisdictions;
• Performing other job-related duties as assigned.

Senior Level Duties Include:

• Performs at a high professional level;
• Substantive research and analysis to further litigation, policy advocacy, grassroots organizing, and media outreach;
• Occasionally drafting legal filings.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

• Paralegal/litigation experience:
  • Associate: 0 -2 YOE
  • Staff: 2+ YOE
  • Senior: 8+ YOE
• A minimum of one to three years of paralegal/litigation experience.
• Paralegal certification preferred, but significant experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, or significant legal expertise is acceptable in lieu of a paralegal certificate.
• Ability and willingness to complete legal secretarial tasks.
• Strong understanding of court and administrative dockets, rules, and regulations. 
• Knowledge of Bluebook and/or ALWD; familiarity with similar legal style manual preferred.
• Experience with legal technology and case management software preferred (e.g., MyCase, RocketMatter, Clio, CaseMap).
• Excellent writing, editing, and communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Track record meeting deadlines and strong time management skills.
• Experience multi-tasking efficiently and effectively working on a diverse team.
• Strong work ethic, problem-solving skills, and ability to learn new tasks quickly.
• Strong understanding of court and administrative dockets, rules, and regulations, particularly Federal District Courts.
• Demonstrated competency and interest in working with people with different social identities than themselves (including race, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, and disability), and commitment to the Center’s JEDAI principles (see below).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe Pro, and willingness to learn new software and other programs as needed.
• Experience with Microsoft Teams, Microsoft One Drive, and Zoom preferred.
• Experience with Lexis and/or Westlaw preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to environmental protection preferred.

This posting does not provide a complete description of all workplace conditions, and conditions are subject to change per the Organization’s discretion.

LOCATION & WORKING CONDITIONS

Portland, Oregon and/or Oregon preferred but not required. Remote may be available but infrequent travel may be required. Requires work in an office setting, with a typical schedule of Monday-Friday with some night and weekend work required at times due to deadlines. Will need to use typical office equipment such as computers, printers, copiers, etc. The position also regularly requires working under strict deadlines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate must be able to complete all physical requirements of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Cognitive

Ability to process and analyze information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Exchange accurate information: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Communicate and express oneself with others: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Interaction with other colleagues: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Interaction with the public/co-collaborators: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Physical

Reading (ingest data): [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Working on a computer: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Typing: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Writing by hand: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Sitting: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Walking: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Standing: [  ] Rarely    [ X ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 0-25 lbs: [  ] Rarely    [ X ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Lift/Carry 25-75 lbs: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Hiking: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Climbing up or down stairs: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Bending: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Squatting: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Reaching overhead: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Repetitive motions: [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [ X ] Frequently  

Ability to drive: [  ] Rarely    [ X ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Location Conditions

In person required (versus remote work): [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Travel required*:  [  ] Rarely    [ X ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Night or weekend work: [  ] Rarely    [ X ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Work in outdoor conditions: [ X ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

Other? _________________ [  ] Rarely    [  ] Occasionally   [  ] Frequently  

BENEFITS (Subject to change—see Handbook for more details)
For regular staff working 30+ hours a week

• Fully paid medical premiums for staff, and greatly discounted for families.
• Fully paid dental and vision premiums for staff and their families.
• Generous employer contribution to HSA and HRA’s.
• Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) provided for reimbursement of eligible wellness expenses.
• Center paid premiums for Short Term and Long-Term Disability provided for all staff.
• Center paid premiums for Basic Life Insurance for all staff.
• Discounted premiums for pet discount program.
  
  

For all regular staff

• 403(b) plan with employer match and increasing employer paid contributions.
• Generous time off policies, including 13 paid holidays per year and 5 “personal” days awarded each year.
• Vacation accrual starts at a rate of 15 days annually, but it may be higher commensurate with experience, and paid sick days accrue at a rate of 10 days per year.
• Center Paid Time Off for parental leave, personal leave, caretaker leave and even pet caretaker leave.
• After 5 years of service, all employees receive a 12-week paid sabbatical.
• Relaxed work atmosphere and dress code.

JEDAI STATEMENT

The Center for Biological Diversity deeply values, and is committed to sustaining and promoting, both biological and cultural diversity. We welcome, embrace and respect diversity of people, identities and cultures. We are committed to fostering an organizational culture of diversity and inclusion. The Center believes staff and board diversity is critical to saving life on Earth.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

The Center complies with all federal and local laws regarding work authorization for new hires. We welcome and encourage anyone interested to apply to any of our open positions. Everyone, regardless of current work authorization, will be considered.

Exempt Classification: Non-Exempt

Applicable Exemption: N/A

• Reasoning behind this classification: Transactional administrative work with minimal discretion, work is predominately routine in nature and the output can generally be standardized in relation to a given period of time. Paralegals are most often non-exempt per FLSA guidelines.