Executive Assistant

Overview

NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) works to safeguard the Earth, its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. NRDC combines the power of more than 3 million members and online activists with the expertise of some 800 policy advocates, lawyers, scientists, and communication experts to confront the climate crisis, protect nature, ensure the rights of all people to clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. As an international nonprofit environmental organization, NRDC is working to address the world’s most urgent environmental challenges, and advance innovative, science-based, and enforceable solutions.

Since our founding in 1970, NRDC has helped craft and deliver many of America’s foundational environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act. Today, we continue to lead in advancing and defending strong environmental protections at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as through the marketplace. Our team works across the United States and around the world, from offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C., as well as in Beijing, and New Delhi (a subsidiary of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd.).

Supported by our members and online activists, NRDC is driving impactful solutions that confront the climate crisis, defend nature and safeguard public health across Asia, Africa, and the Americas. At NRDC, we believe lasting change happens when people bring their talent, passion, and expertise together for a common purpose: to build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world. Learn more at nrdc.org 

POSITION SUMMARY   

This position provides day-to-day administrative support, including project management, calendaring and scheduling, planning travel logistics, meeting coordination, invoice and expense processing, tracking and internally communicating litigation metrics, and other litigation-team management- operational tasks for the Chief Litigation Officer and Chief Counsel. The ideal candidate is a self-starter, quick learner, and knows how to manage his or her own work, anticipate challenges, and communicate clearly. The individual in this role must be comfortable working in an independent, flexible, and efficient manner in a fast-paced work environment and be able to prioritize effectively. Excellent writing, interpersonal, and project coordination skills are required. The candidate must be skilled at working in a collaborative culture and possess excellent judgment, tact, and discretion.

This is a limited term 2 year position. 

Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the following essential functions. 

Provide day-to-day executive administrative support for the Chief Litigation Officer, including the following (80%): 

• Provide administrative support on daily activities, including calendar management and scheduling, processing of correspondence, invoice and expense reporting, and file maintenance.
• Organize and coordinate meetings and events with internal and external parties and oversee logistics, scheduling and technology of meetings and retreats 
• Coordinate travel arrangements and occasionally provide support during travel 
• Manage material gathering and participate in meetings to take notes 
• Prepare post-meeting task lists and coordinate and track follow-up 
• Prepare briefing materials, conduct research, and draft documents 
• Prepare internal litigation updates for NRDC leaders and staff 
• Track and input new litigation matters into a Salesforce-based docket management system, and run/prepare docket reports. 
• Track and maintain attorney bar memberships and continuing legal education requirements across multiple jurisdictions. 
• Provide analytical support which may include research, project or situation assessment, data gathering and reporting.
• Complete other administrative duties (copy, scan and distribute documents, etc.), as needed.  

Provide limited executive administrative support for the Chief Counsel, including the following (20%): 

• Schedule meetings on behalf of the executives 
• Coordinate travel arrangements as needed and occasionally provide support during travel 
• Submit expense reports for travel on behalf of the executives 
• Process invoices for payment 

The above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s responsibility. Other duties may be assigned.

Qualifications

Education & Experience:  

• 5 to 7 years administrative or office management experience including 3 years’ experience in an Executive Assistant or equivalent role, supporting C-suite or Director level staff (for profit or nonprofit) 
• BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience 
• Experience supporting legal executives or in a litigation or other legal setting is strongly preferred 

Skills, Abilities, Competencies   

• Excellent Microsoft Word and Excel skills.
• Strong project management and project coordination skills
• Proactive, detail oriented, problem solver with the ability to deliver high-quality results on-time
• Experience working with multiple teams, priorities, and projects at the same time
• Ability to and passion for facilitating the work of a senior leader and helping a team run efficiently and successfully 
• Superior organizational skills and ability to track, prioritize, balance multiple tasks in a fast-moving environment 
• Ability to perform administrative tasks well and simultaneously adjust focus between “big picture” strategic work and day to day “to dos” with ease 
• Strong research and analytical skills; ability to translate material logically and share ideas and recommendations clearly 
• Demonstrated skill in problem-solving; enjoys a challenge, achieves satisfaction from working things out, getting things done; demonstrates curiosity 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal 
• Comfortable interacting with staff at all levels and representing the ideas or position of the CHRO clearly and diplomatically, when needed 
• Idea generator who can think creatively with practical accomplishment in mind. Can come to the position with ideas on how to make the Executive Assistant position most successful 
• Collaborative spirit; enjoys being part of a team. 
• Ability to build collaborative and respectful relationships across NRDC and to foster a culture of dignity and belonging. 
• Ability to travel to NRDC U.S. based offices, approximately 10-15% annually 
• Commitment to NRDC’s mission, values, and DEI principles 

  PHYSICAL DEMANDS  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position within the described work environment. 

Frequently : Perform desk-based computer tasks 

Frequently : Ability to interact and communicate with employees and others as necessary 

Frequently : Attend planned meetings and collaborate with management and coworkers 

Occasionally : Ability to attend events and activities in the office or offsite

Work is sometimes performed primarily in office. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings and moderate in other situations. Hours of employment may sometimes require working flexible and/or longer hours, including nights and weekends, when necessitated by projects. The job includes work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters. 

NRDC is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, both in our work and in our workplace. We believe that celebrating and actively welcoming diverse voices and perspectives is essential to solving the planet's most pressing environmental problems, and we encourage applications from candidates whose identities have been historically under-represented in the environmental movement. 

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

We offer competitive salaries, excellent benefits, and a supportive working environment. Salary is based on a nonprofit scale and is commensurate with skills and experience. Internal equity will be reviewed and considered to determine a final offer. For this position, the salary range is $74,000 to $85,000.

NRDC operates under a hybrid work model. Employees are required to come to the office 8 days per month. 

To apply, visit and upload your résumé and cover letter. Please mention where you saw this posting and upload any additional materials that showcase your abilities. Due to the high volume of applications, we will contact only those candidates we would like to interview. Please no phone calls, emails, or in-person résumé drop-offs. 

If you experience technical problems while applying or if you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying online, please reach out to iCIMS Customer Care at View phone number on click.appcast.io. 

For more about NRDC, visit