Litigation Program Assistant

IMPORTANT:  This Advertiser has requested that applicants MUST be National Residents / Valid Work Permit-holders.  Other applicants need not apply.

 

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a global non-profit environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists.  We have offices in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago and Beijing, China.  Our staff of over 350 includes lawyers, scientists, economists, and policy experts who work to protect the environment and public health through advocacy and education.

Position Summary:

NRDC seeks a Program Assistant to join its Chicago Litigation team.  The Program Assistant will provide administrative and paralegal support and research assistance. The successful candidate must be able to perform (or learn to perform) tasks such as: preparing court filings; proofreading and cite-checking legal documents; processing expenses; maintaining case files, calendars, and budgets; researching and writing memos; coordinating travel; and planning meetings.

Essential Functions:

• Provides administrative support for the Chicago Litigation team in a variety of capacities, including proofreading and editing documents, tracking case budgets, scheduling meetings, processing expense reports, printing and photocopying, and intern hiring.
• Maintains and updates electronic and paper files, litigation dockets, and case materials.
• Formats, serves, and files legal pleadings in federal and state courts.
• Provides support for hearings, depositions, settlement meetings and trials.
• Researches factual matters, court rules, and filing procedures.
• Communicates with NRDC members regarding litigation the Chicago office is engaged in.
• Drafts correspondence and basic legal documents.
• Assists interns, other program assistants and the receptionist as needed.
• Processes invoices and tracks budget.
• Performs other projects as assigned.

• One year full-time experience in an administrative position or equivalent preferred.  Previous paralegal experience preferred. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work accurately and with composure under deadline pressure.
• Strong organizational skills to prioritize and carry out multiple tasks, follow institutional procedures, and perform undirected work with meticulous attention to detail.
• Superior proofreading skills.
• Facility with spreadsheets, databases, online tools, and electronic communication.
• Interest in law and environmental issues.

NRDC offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a pleasant working environment and is committed to workplace diversity.  Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and commensurate with experience.  To apply, please visit www.nrdc.org/jobs. The application deadline is Friday, September 30, 2011.. Please include salary requirements in your cover letter. No phone calls or faxes please. Please reference where you saw this posting. NRDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.