Regional Counsel

Company: The Conservation Fund
Location: Arlington
Posted on: May 3, 2021

Job Description:

Job Description TITLE : Regional Counsel DEPARTMENT/DIVISION : Legal EXEMPT/NON-EXEMPT STATUS: Exempt REPORTS TO: General Counsel/Executive Vice President NUMBER OF POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION: None LOCATION : Flexible THE CONSERVATION FUND The Conservation Fund (TCF or the Fund) is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the dual mission of protecting Americas most important land, water, and natural resources while also supporting economic growth in communities. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, in its 35-year history The Conservation Fund has protected more than eight million acres of critical conservation property worth $4.7 billion across all 50 States. POSITION SUMMARY The Regional Counsel provides legal advice, contract drafting and negotiation, transaction implementation and related services for The Conservation Fund (the Fund) in connection with real estate activities, including acquisition, preservation, ownership, and disposition of land and conservation easements through resales and gifts for conservation purposes, and loans to land trusts and other conservation partners. The position also provides legal advice and contract drafting and negotiation for the Funds Mitigation Solutions business unit, working with project developers, regulators and conservationists to create and implement plans that mitigate for impacts on natural and cultural resources. The Regional Counsel also provides general legal compliance and transactional advice to other departments of the Fund, including finance, human resources, marketing, and development, as needed. RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable Accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The primary responsibilities of the Regional Counsel include the following: Provide advice and support to field personnel on matters related to conservation real estate, forestry and mitigation transactions, including advice on transaction structure and strategy; contract drafting and negotiation with landowners, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations; and legal compliance matters. Draft, negotiate, provide legal advice and approve a variety of legal documents, including: contracts of sale; deeds; conservation easements; agricultural, residential and hunt leases; property management and other services contracts; timber management agreements; loan and security agreements; escrow instructions; and other contracts and closing documents associated with the Funds real estate activities. Conduct or supervise others in the performance of necessary tasks to commence and complete real estate and forestry transactions, from negotiation through closing and post-closing disposition stages, including but not limited to: review of due diligence material, such as title work, surveys, appraisals, and environmental reports; work with other parties, local counsel and title companies to address due diligence issues; draft and negotiate or supervise preparation of closing documents, including escrow instructions and related documents for transaction closings. Review and negotiate government and foundation grant agreements to secure funds for land acquisition and general operating support. Draft and negotiate legal documents and provide legal advice associated with the Funds Mitigation Solutions business unit, including drafting and negotiation of memoranda of understanding, agreements and other arrangements with governmental agencies and other non-profit organizations, services agreements with infrastructure developers, grant and recipient agreements, and related agreements and documents. Assist with other miscellaneous legal matters involved with the operation of a non-profit organization, including preparation, review and approval of services, consulting and construction contracts. Must have ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, demonstrating flexibility and teamwork within an entrepreneurial environment and sometimes competing deadlines. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to the bar of at least one state. Seven to twelve years of experience practicing law in a law firm or in the legal department of a non-profit or for-profit organization. Extensive legal knowledge and experience with real estate transactions and general commercial contract drafting required; experience with conservation, natural resources, environmental matters, forestry operations and/or non-profit organizations a plus. Strong drafting and negotiating skills and experience. Ability to develop legal strategy and objectives; good analytical and problem-solving skills. High degree of professional ethics and integrity and excellent judgment. Superior interpersonal and oral and written communication skills. Commitment to the Funds mission. WORK ENVIRONMENT This position may be based in our Arlington, VA, headquarters or in our field office in Annapolis, MD, or another geographic location by mutual agreement. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most Fund staff are working remotely.

Post COVID-19, 10-20% travel required if candidate is located near headquarters. More travel required if candidate is located farther from headquarters. COMPENSATION and BENEFITS This position offers a competitive salary, opportunities to earn performance-based bonus compensation and a highly competitive package of benefits including employer contributions for health care, paid holidays, vacation and personal/sick leave, retirement plan and more. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice. To learn more about The Conservation Fund, visit https://www.conservationfund.org. Qualifiedcandidatesshouldemailtheirresumewithcoverletterto: careers@conservationfund.org. The Conservation Fund, a nonprofit corporation, is an Equal Opportunity Employer that fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave status, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression. The Fund prohibits retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or practice in the investigation of any complaint, or otherwise oppose discrimination. Company Description The Conservation Fund (TCF or the Fund) is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the dual mission of protecting Americas most important land, water, and natural resources while also supporting economic growth in communities. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, in its 35-year history The Conservation Fund has protected more than eight million acres of critical conservation property worth $4.7 billion across all 50 States.

The Fund has 170 staff nationwide and is headquartered in Arlington, VA. We work at the intersection of conservation and communitywe believe that environmental protection and economic vitality are inseparable. Our focus is on conservation and communities, creating as many pathways as possible for people and organizations to protect their natural resources and save the places that matter most - properties with ecological, historic and/or cultural significance. We deliver conservation and economic vitality through strong partnerships with government, business and colleague organizations.

We are willing to take risks. We are creative, entrepreneurial and have devoted over three decades to re-defining conservation - inviting more Americans to participate in, and benefit from the multiple advantages offered by our solutions. Traditional methods of conservation are not keeping pace with ever-increasing demand for the benefits supplied to us by nature.

We are independent and do not have a membership, and thus appreciate the dedicated support of a nationwide community of individuals and organizations who agree with our vision and approach. Working efficiently and effectively, the Fund devotes 96% of its annual budget directly to conservation programs and 1% to fundraising.

With thirty-five consecutive years of growth, our record demonstrates that new ideas can work, especially when created and implemented with trusted, credible partners. The Conservation Fund has proven again and again that it can address the big challenges and achieve enduring change through purposeful conservation.

To learn more, visit www.conservationfund.org

Keywords: The Conservation Fund, Arlington , Regional Counsel, Other , Arlington, Virginia