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American Rivers
American Rivers
51 – 200 Employees
ConsultingEnvironmentalNon-profit
American Rivers is a U.S. nonprofit focused on protecting and restoring rivers and the ecosystems they sustain. Its work includes safeguarding clean water, removing harmful dams, and advancing river restoration and climate resilience in urban communities. The organization also works to direct federal funding toward improvements in river safety, public health, and biodiversity, while educating and mobilizing people to advocate for river conservation. Its stated goals are to protect one million miles of free-flowing rivers by 2030 and half of all U.S. rivers by 2050, with a focus on rivers near where people live.
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Senior General Counsel

Lead legal strategy, governance, compliance, and risk management at American Rivers, a national river conservation nonprofit. Advise executive leaders, the Board, staff, and affiliated organizations.

USUnited StatesWAWashington
$181,000 – $250,000 / year
HybridFull-timeSeniorLeadEnglish RequiredGeneral Counsel

Description

  • Lead the legal function and manage the legal team at American Rivers.
  • Provide counsel on transactions and procurement, employment, nonprofit governance and tax compliance, government funding, intellectual property, lobbying disclosures, corporate sponsorships, and charitable solicitation rules.
  • Join the Executive Leadership Team and direct legal services for American Rivers and its affiliates.
  • Counsel the People and Culture Department on employment policies, benefits, insurance, and personnel matters.
  • Advise executive leaders and the Board on governance, compliance, risk, and operational matters.
  • Support the Board Litigation Committee and serve as Assistant Secretary to the Board.
  • Draft and review contracts, subgrants, memoranda of understanding, leases, and other legal agreements.
  • Manage contract tracking and approvals, procurement policies, and related metrics.
  • Work with program staff on RFPs and RFQs and handle legal matters involving contracts, permits, procurement, insurance, compliance, claims, and disputes.
  • Review bylaws and corporate records and maintain sound governance and regulatory standing.
  • Advise on IRS lobbying rules, charitable solicitation regulations, 501(c)(4) compliance, and watchdog reports.
  • Create and implement risk management frameworks and mitigation plans.
  • Oversee personnel risks, insurance programs, and policies for legal and ethical conduct.
  • Handle employment matters and support compliance with employment laws and performance management practices.
  • Manage conflict of interest acknowledgments and disclosures.
  • Recruit, interview, and supervise legal summer interns, clerks, and externs.
  • Take part in leadership and management teams, strategic planning, and Board meetings.
  • Advise headquarters and field staff on legal, litigation, trademark, copyright, and brand matters.
  • Develop legal training for the organization.
  • Set outside counsel strategy and oversee engagements, budgets, performance, and coordination.

Requirements

  • J.D. and at least 15 years of successful legal practice.
  • Admission to the bar and good standing in at least one U.S. jurisdiction.
  • Experience as a senior attorney, preferably including General Counsel work, with a broad legal portfolio and staff management duties.
  • Collaborative working style and ability to work effectively across internal departments, with external parties, and with Board members.
  • Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating a range of transactional agreements.
  • Knowledge of labor and employment law.
  • Knowledge of OMB Guidance for Federal Financial Assistance.
  • Knowledge of intellectual property and charitable solicitation laws.
  • Experience overseeing key aspects of organizational risk assessment and management.
  • Experience managing outside legal resources cost-effectively.
  • Working knowledge of federal tax and election laws as they apply to 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Section 527 organizations and public-interest law firms.
  • Experience overseeing a corporate insurance program or knowledge of insurance law.
  • Ability to travel to Board meetings and other gatherings as needed.
  • Nonprofit experience, including experience gained through pro bono work.
  • Familiarity with or willingness to learn Slack, Zoom, Box, Monday.com, Intacct, and Microsoft Suite or comparable tools.
  • Legal authorization to work in the United States.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, and life insurance.
  • A 3% employer contribution after one year of service; employees are fully vested upon participation.
  • Four weeks of paid leave.
  • Eleven paid holidays.
  • Three floating holidays.
  • Sick leave.
  • Focus Fridays without internal meetings.
  • Professional development opportunities.
  • Home office stipend.
  • Sabbatical leave every seven years.
  • Six weeks of paid parental leave after one year of service.
  • Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

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