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Position Title | Rate of Pay |
Senior Paralegal | $85,000-$90,000 |
Department | Work Location |
Legal | HYBRID (3 days per week onsite) |
Reports to | Work Schedule |
General Counsel | Monday – Friday (9:00 – 5:00) |
FLSA Status | Position Classification |
Non-Exempt | Salaried, Full-Time, Benefits Eligible |
ABOUT NEW YORK HALL OF SCIENCESince its founding at the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair, the New York Hall of Science (NYSCI) has inspired millions of people — children, teachers, and families — by offering innovative, participatory ways to learn and encouraging people to explore their curiosity and nurture their creativity. Located in Queens, the most ethnically diverse county in the country, NYSCI welcomes 400,000 visitors each year and serves thousands more through outreach in schools, teacher professional development and participation in a variety of public events and research initiatives. NYSCI is a leader in the science museum field, recognized for its highly regarded exhibitions, programs, and products, all of which are informed by our inclusive, research-derived approach to STEM learning and engagement called Design, Make, Play. The defining characteristics of Design, Make, Play — open-ended exploration, imaginative learning, personal relevance, deep engagement, and delight — are the ingredients that invite broad participation in STEM and make engagement and learning irresistible. Through this transformative model for STEM exploration, NYSCI engages a broad community of learners in STEM by fostering the excitement of self-directed exploration and tapping into the joy of learning intrinsic in young people’s play. NYSCI has approximately 87 full-time and over 103 part-time and casual staff members. |
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Senior Paralegal is a highly experienced and knowledgeable legal professional who provides advanced support to the General Counsel's office. This role involves managing legal projects, supporting key legal functions for the museum, and serving as a liaison between the legal department and other departments, such as Finance, Human Resources, and Development. The Senior Paralegal is responsible for helping to protect the museum's legal interests and ensuring its activities align with its non-profit mission.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Contract Review and Management: Draft, review, and negotiate various contracts, including vendor contracts, and corporate sponsorship deals, among others.
- Intellectual Property Management: Manage the museum’s intellectual property portfolio, including trademark registration, copyright, and use clearance for publications, exhibitions, and digital content.
- Compliance & Governance: Assist with the museum's compliance programs, including filings and registrations, record management, and governance policy development and management.
- Litigation Support: Assist with managing litigation and disputes, including coordinating with outside counsel and overseeing document discovery.
- Policy Development: Collaborate with the General Counsel to develop, update, and implement internal legal policies and procedures.
- Governance & Board Relations: Support the Board of Trustees and its committees by maintaining and assisting with board records.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Education: Bachelor's degree required. A paralegal certificate from an ABA-approved program is preferred.
- Experience: 7+ years of experience as a paralegal (non-profit, museum, or cultural institution experience preferred).
SKILLS
- Ability to support the implementation of legal procedures and regulations applicable to non-profit organizations.
- Legal research and drafting contract drafting skills.
- Proficiency with legal research tools (e.g., LexisNexis, Westlaw) and case/document management systems.
- Familiarity with Google Suite and other productivity software for collaboration and document management.
- Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.
ATTRIBUTES
A strategic thinker able to manage a high-volume workload while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail. Skilled communicator, adept at building relationships and working collaboratively with stakeholders at all levels.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Stationary works station: The employee must be able to remain in a stationary sitting position for up to 8 hours a day with appropriate breaks.
Manual dexterity: The role requires the frequent use of hands for typing, writing, and handling office equipment.
Visual acuity: The employee must have the visual ability to perform extensive computer work for long periods, including reading and analyzing data on a computer screen.
Communication: The role requires communicating clearly and effectively in written and verbal forms.
BENEFITSNYSCI strives to be an inclusive and equitable place to work. We work to foster multiple voices and perspectives, empower staff as problem solvers, and support professional growth for all. The New York Hall of Science also offers generous benefits and perks for all regular full-time employees. These currently include:
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HOW TO APPLY
Please upload your resume and cover letter through our online careers portal.
Please note that while each submission will receive careful consideration, the Museum will contact only applicants whose knowledge, skills, and work experience best align with the position's requirements.
Interview Process
- Introductory interview
- Second Interview & panel conversation (Zoom)
- Final interview onsite at NYSCI
Application Deadline: Accepted applications on a rolling basis, with a projected start date of March 1, 2026.
No phone calls or faxes, please.
The New York Hall of Science is an equal-opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative environment with the best employees. We provide employment opportunities without regard to age, race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, disability, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service, marital status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. We support a drug-free workplace.
If there are preparations, we can help ensure you have a comfortable and positive interview experience, please let us know.
We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.
- $85,000 - $90,000/year
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