Background: For over 40 years, Urban Strategies, Inc. has assisted residents and community stakeholders to design and implement a wide range of transformative projects in distressed U.S. communities. Our mission is that all children and families will be stable and thriving.

Job Summary: The Paralegal with assist the Vice President of Compliance and Legal Affairs in ensuring the organization is compliant with all federal, local, and/or private grant requirements. The paralegal will provide clerical support, identify, and implement cross-functional process improvements, and develop strong working relationships with critical leadership in and outside of the organization.

Hours/Week: 40 hours per week with additional hours required as needed

Salary: Commensurate with the experience of a candidate located in St. Louis, MO

Responsibilities:

• Serve as first point of contact to internal business units to answer contract-related inquiries and escalate as appropriate to Vice President
• Conduct initial review of contracts in relation to risks stemming from contract language, internal legal thresholds, and other criteria
• Reduce contract turnaround time to ten business days
• Ensure all expense reports are completed by USI’s deadline
• Manage contract lifecycles from providing forms through contract execution and maintenance.
• Establish positive working relationships with internal leadership to understand critical components of UI’s work.
• Assist Vice President with drafting contracts for partnerships and projects
• Support in regular compliance calls with all site leaders to ensure effective and efficient communication.
• Assist with the formulation and implementation of legal strategies • Areas of focus vary from general legal research on uncommon issues, legal document review and revision (employment contracts, non-disclosure agreements, non-solicitation/noncompetition agreements)
• Manage risk while pursuing innovative solutions or techniques • Assist with the submission and close-out of any grants or contracts
• Correspond with grantor agencies to manage compliance issues • Ensure annual reports are filed thirty days prior to expiration
• Maintain, update, and organize physical and electronic files reviewing compliance initiatives
• Work closely with auditors to assist in preparation of audits
• Assist in the implementation and facilitation of compliance trainings across national organization
• Other duties may be assigned

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal studies or related field
• Paralegal certificate preferred 3+ Years of related work experience
• Some experience in Non-Profit organizations a plus

Skills and/or competencies required:

• Ability to maintain and safeguard confidential information
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including an ability to communicate with colleagues clearly, concisely, and effectively at all levels of management, including a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues to achieve a desired result
• Strong organizational, planning and time management skills
• Understanding of legal language and principles, research methods, processes, and other related matters
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• Excellent organization skills and attention to detail
• Strong ability to maintain work/ life balance and prioritize self-care when necessary
• Ability to work in a variety of settings with culturally diverse persons and communities with the ability to be culturally sensitive and appropriate
• The ability to work independently and with initiative, combined with skills for thriving in a team environment to achieve shared goals
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, and to exercise discretion and good judgment
• Expert with Microsoft Office Suite or related software

Legal Statement The above information on this description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this position. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.