The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

We are the largest non-governmental provider of social services in America and every year, we help over 30 million Americans overcome poverty, homelessness, addiction, economic hardships, loneliness, and exploitation through a wide range of programs and services.

Our Eastern Territorial Headquarters in West Nyack, NY has an opening for an Assistant Legal Secretary.  This position assists the General Counsel/Legal Secretary, and in his/her absence carries out all the corporate and legal requirements of The Salvation Army.

This position requires approximately 35 hours of work per week and is onsite.  

Office Manager:
• Assist in the encouragement and training of personnel reporting to the Legal Department to perform more efficiently and effectively in their present assignments and endeavor to develop their capabilities for larger responsibilities.
• Assist in the supervision of the personnel of the Legal Department and monitor conformity to all official personnel policies and practices.
• In conjunction with the General Counsel/Legal Secretary, foster positive morale and encourage all personnel of the Legal Department to work together as a team, with efficiency, unity of purpose and understanding of The Salvation Army's mission.
• Assist in consulting with and guiding personnel of the Legal Department in the discharge of their responsibilities, making certain, so far as is possible, that they know what their duties and responsibilities are: that they know when scheduled events, programs, or assignments are due, that necessary explanation is given as to how a particular task or assignment is to be done, and that reasons are given for any project, program or assignment.
• Review, on a regularly scheduled basis. job descriptions for all personnel, submitting same to the General Counsel/Legal Secretary for approval.

• Assist in the maintenance of adequate and properly organized files and systematically dispose of outdated material of no reference value, according to territorial retention policy.
• Assist the General Counsel/Legal Secretary in preparing a projection, in brief, prior to the beginning of the work year showing the goals or objectives proposed for the ensuing year. These goals may include needs relating to personnel, programs and
services, administrative practices; physical facilities and equipment, etc., as these may pertain to the functioning of the Legal Department.
• Assist in overseeing the annual budget and administering the affairs of the Legal Department within the approved budget. Where non-budgeted expenditures are proposed, process such requests in the same manner designated by Salvation Army policy.
• Assist in initiating or participating in such intro and inter-departmental staff-to-staff communications as will provide understanding, cooperation and coordination.
• In the absence of the General Counsel/Legal Secretary the Assistant Legal Secretary is expected to maintain the efficient and effective operation of the Legal Department.

Estates:
• Assist in the processing of transactions. in connection with testamentary gifts, trusts, endowments or special gifts of which The Salvation Army is named beneficiary, and which require corporate action, unless another authorized agent of the Board of Trustees is instructed to do so.
• Assist in maintaining complete files of all “active" wills, trusts, endowments, and estates in which the interest of the Army has been established.
• Assist in the retention of closed files on microfilm of wills, trusts, endowments and estates.in which the interest of the Army has been settled.
• Assist In the oversight of the Estate/Legacy process .to ensure it can maintain the efficient and effective operation expected in the Legal Department
• Recommends the allocation for all new legacy distributions and forwards same to the appropriate Command for their approval.
• Once approved by the Command, prepare same for consideration by the Finance Department or the Board of Trustees.
• Approves all additional legacy distributions and forwards the same to the Finance Department.

• Receives and reviews all Withdrawal Request forms for accuracy and completeness and to determine if any restrictions have been met before forwarding them to the Finance Department of the Board of Trustees for their approval.
• Prepares the annual Consolidation Report for Third-Party-Trusts as required by the annual audit.

Corporations
• Be familiar with charter and by-laws of The Salvation Army corporation(s) within the territory and, in the absence of the Legal Secretary, advise territorial leaders regarding requirements of same.
• Assist in maintaining registration of domestic and foreign corporations in each state of the territory where the state requires such registration under the laws of the respective states.
• Assist in preparing or obtaining and filing with the Secretary of State in the respective states, such reports as may be required of domestic and foreign corporations.
• Assist in verifying that “agents for service” are duly authorized, notified, and certified to the Secretary of State of the several states within the territory, as required by law in each state, giving notice of new appointees when changes of officer personnel are required.
• Maintain a working knowledge of all the various corporations both in existence and proposed and be prepared to assist with the review and establishment of additional corporations as required.

Corporate Processing
• Will be designated as a corporate officer of the various corporations and will be aware of and perform the various duties, including signing authority associated with the corporate position to which elected.
• Assist in the processing of resolutions, after appropriate board action, authorizing persons occupying designated positions to execute, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, certain types of contracts and documents, powers of attorney for certain
The Salvation Army bank accounts, or authorizing designated persons to sign documents covering sale of securities.
• Assist in processing gift annuity certificates/agreements through the Board of Trustees for Initial approval, and determination of remainder Interest accruing to the Army upon annuitant's death.

• Assist in reviewing and processing all agreements, leases, releases, deeds, notes payable and receivable, trust agreements, contracts for purchase or sale of property, resolutions and other documents, to verify their correctness and suitability prior to presenting them to the Board of Trustees for execution unless the Board of Trustees, by appropriate resolution, authorizes another designated person(s) to do so.
• In the absence of the General Counsel/Lega\ Secretary, safeguard official minutes for permanent reference.
• In consultation with the General Counsel/Legal Secretary, maintain close working relationship with the attorney or firm retained as legal counsel for the Army.
• Assist in maintaining up-to-date roster of attorneys in each of the commands of the territory, who normally represent the Army.
• In the absence of the General Counsel/Legal Secretary, process the business of the Board of Trustees as required by the action taken or as directed by the presiding officer.

• Oversee the preparation of the agenda for the Board of Trustees.
• Have custody of and approval for usage of the corporate seal.
• Assist in the observance of proper corporate procedure in the processing and execution of all documents requiring action by the Board of Trustees.
• In the absence of the General Counsel/Legal Secretary, verify that action taken by the Board of Trustees is consistent with the charter and By-laws. Make a written report of any deviation to the Board of Trustees.
• As a designated signatory, be fully aware of the responsibility and authority issued by the Board of Trustees to act on their behalf by signing certain documents as a corporate officer.
• Review the Property Council, Finance Council and Board of Trustees agenda and bring to the General Counsel/Legal Secretary’s attention any items of concern.

Contracts (Contracts, Agreements, Applications and Corporate Documents)
• Oversight of Contracts Function Area which includes contracts, agreements, applications and corporate documents as outlined in Salvation Army policy.
• Supervise the review and management of all contracts, agreements, applications and corporate documents prior to execution to ensure compliance with the policies of The Salvation Army.
• Monitor contracts, agreements, applications and corporate documents for legal compliance with regulatory and funding sources. Supervise compliance through the use of committees, special projects and reports to the Board of Trustees.

• Consult with external partners and regulatory agencies to supervise corporate compliance and transparency matters as they pertain to government contracts.
• Oversight of government (federal, state and municipal) electronic systems including organizational registrations; used access; granted authorities and data submission.
HUD, Single-asset corporations and Partnership agreements

• Oversight of HUD project(s) proposals. 
• Review and management of all documentation relating to HUD, single-asset corporations and partnership arrangements and projects
• Intermediary between the Board of Trustees and internal and external parties to the above arrangements.

Intra Territorial Headquarters Relationships:
• Maintain a close cooperative working relationship with legacy and annuity promotion, Risk Management, Property; Audit and Finance Departments of territorial headquarters administration, particularly where those functions involve the participation of the General Counsel/Legal Secretary and/or Assistant Legal Secretary.
• Participate in various committees as requested.
• Be available to assist administration with issues involving matters that relate to past experiences for the development of new programs and policies.

Inter Territorial Headquarters and Command Relationships.
• Prepare communications with command heads and other command staff, where appropriate, concerning such business matters that are processed by the General Counsel/Legal Secretary for, or with their respective commands.
• Be available to serve on national and territorial committees as requested.
• Be prepared to make periodic visits to the commands to assist with maintaining a close working relationship and to ensure that current policies and procedures are followed.
• Be available to assist in the notarizing of documents as requested by other departments, officers and employees.

Confidentiality
• Observe strict confidentiality in all personal or private matters concerning officers and employees, except where duty requires communication with an administrative officer.

• Refrain from premature or unauthorized release of restricted information.

General Knowledge:
• Maintain a working knowledge of The Salvation Army orders and regulations and official policy directives or minutes relating to the area of The Salvation Army’s work over which this job description has responsibility.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of efficient operating procedures for all aspects of business administration related to this job description and the Legal Department.
• Oversee, develop and/or update a “How-to-do-it.” office manual and forms book for all routine operations related to responsibilities for this job description.
• Discharge the duties and responsibilities for this job description consistent with the principles, standards and orders and regulations of The Salvation Army, and the laws of the state governing the corporation(s)
• Conduct the affairs of this position responsibly, efficiently and economically, and to motivate staff to do likewise.
• Be an example of Christian stewardship and demonstrate interest in the spiritual well-being of all personnel in department.
• Consult with the General Counsel/Legal Secretary from time to time with respect to departmental policies, needs, programs and goals which may affect this job description, and implement same by appropriate action.
• Where conflict with existing policy appears likely, or where policy change seems merited, full particulars must be submitted through the General Counsel/Legal Secretary to the Territorial Secretary for Business Administration.

Other Duties:
• Any other Duties as assigned.
• Undertake special assignments as may be made or approved by the General Counsel/Legal Secretary.

• Bachelor's degree

• Paralegal certification or Juris Doctor degree (preferred) 

• 5-7 years of related experience

• Appointment by the New York Secretary of State’s office as a Notary Public (preferred)
• Experience managing a diverse workforce. 
• A working knowledge of The Salvation Army.

What We Offer

• Generous Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
• TSA paid Life Insurance for Employees
• Additional life insurance options for employees
• On-site cafeteria
• Paid Time Off – Vacation, Sick, Personal days
• 403(b) retirement savings plan
• Non-contributory Pension Plan
• Professional Development
• Free, on-site Fitness Center
• Federal holidays
• Opportunities to give back and support our communities

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.