BACKGROUND

Energy Trust of Oregon is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy development. We serve Oregon customers of Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, NW Natural, Cascade Natural Gas, Avista, and Washington customers of NW Natural. Year over year, Energy Trust is ranked one of the top 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon.

Energy Trust is committed to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a culturally attentive organization by reaching out to diverse candidates who will contribute a range of perspectives, experiences, skills and ideas to how we work, our programs and our services to best serve, reach and reflect the rich diversity of the customers we serve.

Energy Trust is currently assessing a range of work location options to respond to the pandemic, continue to meet business needs and provide work location flexibility for employees. Currently, we are utilizing remote, hybrid and in-office work locations. We expect employees working remotely to maintain the ability to report to our office located in the Portland Metro area at the discretion of leadership and pandemic-related public health guidance.

While we are open to candidates who live throughout Oregon and Washington, the Paralegal and Supplier Diversity Specialist may be expected to report to the office on a quarterly basis, at minimum.

Energy Trust is a fully vaccinated workplace. This includes all employees and agency contractors. All staff must submit proof of vaccination status or request an exception for health or religious reasons. This requirement applies to all employees, including staff who are working in-office, remotely from home or operating within a hybrid work model.

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY

The Paralegal and Supplier Diversity Specialist supports the Energy Trust Legal/Contracts group, Energy Trust’s Supplier Diversity Program and its Supplier Diversity Tracking System (SDTS). The position has special focus on support of the SDTS, in addition to other paralegal and administrative support to the Legal/Contracts group. The Paralegal/Supplier Diversity position has primary responsibility for SDTS maintenance, data entry, compliance, accountability, and information analysis. This position also supports the Energy Trust Legal/Contracts team, and the entire organization, by ensuring legal and regulatory compliance through accurate and appropriate documentation. This position frequently interacts with internal staff to ensure SDTS and legal compliance matters are understood and answered correctly. This position will advance the objective of the SDTS and mitigate legal risk for the organization through consistent compliance focus and tracking.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepares routine agreements for the Legal group, including independent contractor agreements and nondisclosure agreements.
• Accurately enters data into the SDTS tracking tool, including initial SDTS contract information and monthly subcontracting template information
• Performs Ongoing SDTS administration and reporting governance support
• Identify opportunities for improvement and review with appropriate leadership staff to implement
• Maintains current knowledge on relevant legal and regulatory compliance for Energy Trust and provides information to the organization proactively and upon request to ensure compliance with federal, state and local employment related laws and regulations
• Supports Legal/Contracts group staff in maintaining current Legal/Contracts procedures and process documents, with focus on compliance for legal and regulatory developments
• Supports organization and maintenance of internal contract and accounts payable tracking systems, with focus on SDTS tracking connections to internal contract and accounts payable tracking systems
• Ensures that template contract and program and organizational form language complies with relevant law and regulation.
• Generates and/or edits unique documents (letters, memos, etc.) upon request to translate programmatic and organizational desires and requirements into legally compliant communications
• Improves internal processes and communications, therefore optimizing Legal/Contracts operations across the organization
• Conducts research in areas of specialty as needed; gathers and compiles data and information; prepares memos and/or reports as requested
• Provides general administrative support to the Legal/Contracts group, including scheduling, filing, proofreading, and other duties and special projects, as assigned.
• Performs all job functions in a safe manner.

The above information is designed to outline the functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree – or equivalent experience – preferred.
• 3-5 years of paralegal experience, in addition to legal and contracts administration experience.
• Familiar with basic corporate, contracts and business transaction legal knowledge, concepts and terminology. Experience negotiating and drafting basic contracts
• Demonstrated experience in and knowledge of Supplier Diversity Programs
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Experience using SharePoint or other document sharing software.
• Ability to learn new systems. Should have knowledge or curiosity in learning the substance of contracts assigned, the most frequent of which involve program evaluation contracts.
• Ability to interact with employees at all levels with tact, confidentiality and diplomacy.
• Strong administrative and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage time independently and efficiently while managing multiple tasks and priorities.
• Team player comfortable working in a deadline-oriented environment, effective at working in a changing environment, and able to lay out his/her own work in a well-planned and organized manner.
• Ability to understand and maintain respect and compliance for sensitive information and confidentiality considerations associated with legal work.
• Must be able to interact with a diverse workforce and be comfortable working in culturally diverse settings and groups.

The above information is designed to outline the functions and position requirements of this job. It does not identify all tasks that may be expected, nor address the performance standards that must be maintained.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Salary commensurate with skills and experience.
• Competitive benefits package.
• Applications accepted until position is filled.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Qualified individuals please submit cover letter, resume and application (found on Energy Trust’s website www.energytrust.org/About/careers) to careers@energytrust.org.

Attn: Paralegal and Supplier Diversity Specialist

Energy Trust of Oregon is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, pregnancy, medical condition, genetic information, mental and physical disability, political affiliation, union membership, status as a parent, military or veteran status or other non-merit based factors. We will provide reasonable accommodations throughout the application, interviewing and employment process. If you require a reasonable accommodation, contact us at human.resources@energytrust.org. www.energytrust.org.