Arizona Program and Legal Assistant

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Program and Legal Assistant to join our team in Arizona. This position will provide a full range of administrative and legal support to the Clean Energy Program’s Arizona team, as well as managing our small Phoenix office. The Program and Legal Assistant will report to the Arizona Clean Energy Manager, with opportunities to learn and grow while working with a variety of other administrative and conservation professionals. 

Note: This role is a part-time position with a schedule of 30 hours per week.

Location: This position may work in WRA’s Phoenix office or in a hybrid remote and in-office setting. A minimum of two days per week in the WRA Phoenix office is required, and more in-office time may be necessary depending on workload/activities. Travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings within WRA’s region (less than 5%).

Responsibilities & Activities

CASE MANAGEMENT

• Organize and maintain electronic and physical records (most records are electronic).
• Track case deadlines, update state team calendar, and maintain case log. 
• Draft, review, and edit pleadings and discovery; finalize documents for filing with agencies and/or courts; and file documents via online filing portals and serve discovery or other documents on parties via email or online file sharing; provide other paralegal support as needed.

CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM SUPPORT

• Schedule video and (occasional) in-person meetings for staff and partners; make arrangements for in-person meetings (venue, food, communications, etc.); take meeting notes as needed.
• Make or assist in travel arrangements for staff.
• Assist staff with administrative tasks, including reimbursement requests and using online workflow tools (Teams, Slack, and other project management tools).
• As needed, assist with preparation and editing of reports and presentations and with legal and subject matter research.

OFFICE MANAGEMENT/ADMINISTRATIVE

• Purchase office supplies, ensure offices are maintained, distribute mail, and receive occasional office visitors. 
• Provide basic IT support, liaising with WRA’s remotely located IT Manager, and coordinate contractors for maintenance or IT-related repairs.
• Coordinate team building, employee engagement, and social activities with state staff.
• Other administrative projects, tasks, and duties reasonably related to the functions described above. 

Required Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered. For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include: 

• At least one year of administrative office experience.
• Strong organizational skills with ability to manage a deadline-driven docket of regulatory litigation.
• Thorough and detail oriented, with good time management skills.
• Strong communication, writing, and editing skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, and comfort in communicating with working with people from diverse ethnic, educational, and professional backgrounds.
• Proficiency with computers and general office equipment; mastery of Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel; willingness to learn additional software tools to improve workflow.
• Helpful, but not required, is having experience working in a legal office or as a paralegal.
• Commitment to WRA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion goals.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

This is a part-time position (30 hours per week) and the salary range is $33,750-$43,525 annually (which is 75% of a full-time employee annualized amount of $45,000-$58,025); salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range.

Benefits:

WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive* seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is exempt. *Vacation and sick leave are prorated for part-time staff.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, April 8, 2024.

• Please direct any questions about this position or application process to hiring@westernresources.org.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.