About the Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to provide legal counsel and support on a variety of corporate, transactional, compliance, and governance matters for the organization. This position will have primary responsibility for certain legal matters and will support more senior attorneys on other matters, requiring both the ability to handle matters independently as well as the ability to contribute as part of a team. The position may supervise, on a project basis, outside counsel and paralegals. This position will be either an Assistant General Counsel or Associate General Counsel, depending on the candidate’s level of experience.

Primary Responsibilities & Duties

The position will be responsible for:

• Managing real estate and grantmaking transactions, including structuring, drafting and negotiating contracts, conducting due diligence, and coordinating complex closings

• Advising on compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accreditation standards, including those specific to tax-exempt organizations and land trusts

• Addressing risk management through development of policies, procedures, and trainings

 • Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating a wide range of contracts, including vendor contracts, consultant agreements, grants, gift agreements, MOU’s, and leases

• Supporting Board and Committee governance including drafting resolutions and other materials

 • Performing legal research and providing general advice and counsel on a variety of legal topics

The specific responsibilities of the position may vary based on the skills and experience of the selected candidate. The ideal candidate will be a versatile attorney with a broad skill set who is eager to take initiative, engage deeply with OSI’s mission, and learn and grow in the role as the needs of the organization and the Legal Department evolve over time.

This job description is not intended to represent a complete, comprehensive list of all duties and responsibilities that may be required in this position.  There may be unplanned activities and other duties as assigned.

Required Skills

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including strong listening skills

• Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to excellence in work product

• Ability to think critically and problem-solve creatively

 • Strong time management skills with the ability to prioritize numerous ongoing projects  

• Ability to work collegially with diverse personnel and demonstrate emotional intelligence  

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise strong judgment and discretion

• Self-starter with ability to take initiative, work independently, and be accountable

Qualifications  

• At least 5 years of professional legal experience working on corporate and transactional matters including experience in one or more of the following areas:

o Laws and regulations applicable to non-profit entities and tax-exempt organizations

o Real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, and conservation easements

o Compliance, risk management, and development of policies and procedures

o Drafting and negotiating a wide variety of contracts

o Non-profit Board and Committee governance

• Prior experience working for an in-house legal department is preferred

• Commitment to land conservation and environmental protection

• Bachelor’s degree and JD from ABA-accredited law school required

• Must be member of the New York Bar or eligible for immediate membership

Those with at least 10 years of professional legal experience will be considered for the position of Associate General Counsel. All other candidates will be considered for the position of Assistant General Counsel.  

Location & Physical Requirements

• This position is based out of our midtown New York office

• Hybrid work arrangement with at least three days per week in office expected weekly

• Frequently sits for long periods of time

• Frequently speaks, reads, writes and uses a computer keyboard

• May require occasional standing, walking, lifting, stooping, and bending  

Please note: If you do not wholly meet the above qualifications but believe you are otherwise well-suited to meet the needs of this position, we encourage you to apply. 

Application

Apply by sending your application materials to resumes@osiny.org. Attach a cover letter that includes where you learned of the job posting along with your resume. Applications without a cover letter are not likely to be considered.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from the time of posting in February 2026, with earlier submissions receiving priority consideration. You will receive an acknowledgment once your application has been submitted, and we will contact you if we would like to schedule an interview.    

This is a full-time position requiring 37.5 hours per week within regular business hours. The role involves working onsite at our midtown Manhattan office at least three days per week.  

Pay for this position is $135,000-185,000, commensurate with the candidate’s skill level and experience. The recruiting team is committed to sharing details regarding compensation based on the candidate's qualifications during the interview process.

OSI is an equal opportunity employer. We recognize that our conservation mission is best advanced by the contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and cultures. We are committed to cultivating and retaining a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters belonging. OSI offers accommodations for individuals with disabilities in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to resumes@osiny.org with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.  

Consistent with New York State law, OSI does 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, height, weight, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. OSI will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 

About Open Space Institute

The Open Space Institute is a national leader in land conservation and efforts to make parks and other protected land more welcoming for all. Since 1974, OSI has partnered in the protection of more than 2.5 million at-risk and environmentally sensitive acres in the eastern U.S. OSI’s land protection promotes clean air and water, improves access to recreation, provides wildlife habitat, strengthens communities, and combats the devastating impacts of extreme weather.

Connections working at Open Space Institute