Legal Counsel I (location flexible)

The Trust For Public Land • Montpelier, VT

300d • $83,000 - $85,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

At TPL, we're a team of outdoor advocates who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. As an ethos, we believe access to the outdoors is a fundamental human need and essential to our health and well-being. We're committed to creating more places that bring us outside—parks, trails, playgrounds, and public lands—and making them available and welcoming to everyone, everywhere, regardless of ZIP code. We also understand that land has meaning; it tells the story of our history. That's why, through our Black History and Culture initiative, we're working to preserve sites that more fully represent the Black American experience; and we're an ally and partner to Tribal and Indigenous communities, working in partnership to reconnect them with their ancestral lands and renovating tribal schoolyards. One hundred million people, including 28 million children, don't have nearby access to a park within ten minutes of their home. We're determined to change this outdoor equity gap-and as a result, nine million people and counting now have access because of our work. We have miles to go and a plan to get there. We're inclusive change-makers who believe in connecting everyone to the outdoors. We inspire by paving the way forward and strengthening our connection to nature. Join us!

Requirements

• Juris Doctor, admission to state bar.
• Minimum of 3 years of real estate transactional law and/or municipal law experience.
• Familiarity with design and construction contracts, federal grants, and working with tax-exempt organizations and public agencies.
• An understanding of construction documentation to construction implementation to construction close-out.
• Experience advising clients to meet business objectives and develop practical solutions within defined policies and practices.
• Ability to draft quality legal documents quickly.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Sense of humor and composure when dealing with staff of diverse personalities and work styles.
• Ability to change the thinking of, or gain acceptance of, others in sensitive situations.
• Ability to anticipate problems and identify probable issues of concern in advance.
• Results-oriented and creative in problem-solving.
• Aptitude for independent work exercising good judgment within broadly defined policies and practices.
• Comfortable working in multiple jurisdictions and managing multiple projects in a decentralized environment.

Responsibilities

• Assists project staff in implementing, negotiating and completing land acquisition projects, from negotiation of acquisition documents to the conveyance of the property into the permanent takeout.
• Drafts, reviews and advises on contracts with landowners, due diligence providers and takeout partners.
• Assists program staff with park, schoolyard and trail projects including community engagement, design and construction activities.
• Ensures that legal agreements are in accordance with laws, existing agreements, public policy, and internal policies and protocols.
• Works as part of the organization's team of attorneys and legal assistants.
• Assists with additional legal services as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Vacation and sick pay plus holidays.
• Year end office closure.
• 403(b)-retirement plan with up to a 7% company match.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree