Contract Specialist
Application instructions for this and all current OPB employment opportunities are available at OPB's careers page.
About OPB
OPB is a leader in public media, serving diverse communities of the Northwest with fact-based, in-depth news and information about politics, the environment, science, arts, history, and cultures; business, education and more. Powered by the generous support of members, OPB seeks out a variety of voices in our communities and lifts up authentic stories of the people, places, events and issues of the region, providing context and a deeper understanding. OPB’s independent journalism and programs are available at opb.org, on OPB Radio and OPB TV. Follow us on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook.
The Opportunity
We’re recruiting a Contract Specialist! The work the person in this role will do managing the leasing lifecycle for our many communication sites is vital to our organization’s ability to broadcast programming to audiences across Oregon and southwest Washington. We’re looking for someone with excellent communication skills, strong organization and attention to detail, and a curiosity to evaluate and improve systems and processes. If this sounds like you, we hope you’ll apply!
Position Details
The Contracts Specialist supports OPB’s Corporate Counsel by managing the paperwork for all leases and permits relating to OPB’s use and occupation of tower/communications sites, offices, and warehouses (approximately 80 tower sites and 5 business locations) throughout the leasing lifecycle. The Contract Specialist will exercise strong communication and relationship-building skills as the primary point of contact for stakeholders and government agencies on leasing and permitting matters. The Contracts Specialist is client-service oriented in working with OPB’s legal, finance, facilities, and engineering teams to prepare all leases, capture deal points, drive accurate and timely document preparation, track deadlines and details, gather signatures and approvals, and maintain organized records.
Key responsibilities include:
- Work with OPB’s Corporate Counsel by managing the paperwork for the full lifecycle of all leases for the various tower sites and business locations OPB uses or occupies as lessor or lessee, including gathering stakeholder input, drafting lease agreements using templates, and assisting in term evaluation and negotiation of lease agreements.
- Identify risk and problematic deal points for each lease in close consultation with the Corporate Counsel.
- Collect insurance documents and confirm insurance terms meet requirements of each lease agreement.
- Serve as the first point of contact with lessors/lessees on leasing issues.
- Identify and track lease expirations, amendments, rent changes, utility costs, and site use fees for tower sites.
- Collaborate with Finance team to ensure timely payments on leases where OPB is lessee and receivables where OPB is lessor.
- For tower sites, collaborate with engineering team to confirm business and technical requirements of each lease agreement can be met.
- For tower sites, collaborate with the Legal Operations and Compliance Analyst, OPB in-house attorneys, and outside counsel to ensure that all compliance requirements are met, and necessary regulatory filings are made on a timely basis.
- For tower sites, prepare annual inventory certifications for sites managed by the United States government.
- Gather all necessary signatures and approvals for all lease agreements.
- Manage and improve lease database.
- Assist with other real property contracts that occasionally arise, such as purchase agreements.
Responsibilities
50% - Work with OPB’s Staff Attorney by managing the paperwork for the full lifecycle of all leases for the various sites OPB uses or occupies as lessor or lessee, including gathering stakeholder input, drafting lease agreements using templates, and assisting in term evaluation and negotiation of lease agreements.
Identify risk and problematic deal points in close consultation with the Staff Attorney and serve as first point of contact with lessor or lessee on leasing issues.
25% - Collaborate with engineering team to confirm business and technical requirements of each tower site lease can be met.For tower sites, collaborate with the Legal Operations and Compliance Analyst, OPB in-house attorneys, and outside counsel to ensure that all compliance requirements are met, and necessary regulatory filings are made on a timely basis.
25% - Identify and track lease expirations, amendments, rent changes, site use fees for tower leases, and utility costs. Ensure consistent management of payments and receivables where OPB is lessor. Gather all necessary signatures and approvals for lease agreements. Manage and improve lease database. Prepare annual inventory certifications for sites managed by the United States government.
Working Conditions
Work environment: The Contract Specialist spends the majority of their time in an office environment using a computer and telephone. The legal team works on a mixed hybrid and/or fully remote basis, using equipment provided by OPB. Must reside in either Oregon or Washington.
Schedule: This position works approximately 40 hours/week, typically during OPB’s business hours (8am-5pm, Monday through Friday, flex hours possible).
Minimum Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Relevant paralegal experience; or 3-5 years of licensing, contracts, or compliance administrative support experience.
- Keen attention to detail;
- Ability to exercise good judgment;
- Excellent planning, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
- Willingness to take initiative where appropriate;
- Strong oral and written communication skills;
- Ability to work independently and as a member of cross-departmental working groups;
- Experience using standard office software, including Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat (OPB’s legal team currently uses Clio and DocuSign to manage our workflows);
- Experience using Microsoft programs such as PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Teams;
- Experience working with and embracing diverse personalities, ways of thinking, and methods;
- Flexibility and patience.
- Enthusiasm for OPB’s mission.
Preferred Position Requirements (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attitudes):
- Familiarity with drafting and reviewing leases.
- Familiarity with legal matter management software and calendaring systems; and
- Experience in the Media, Entertainment, or Communications industries;
- Experience in a nonprofit or in-house legal environment.
Additional Information
- This position reports to Corporate Counsel and is benefits eligible.
- The probable hiring range for this non-exempt position is between $56,000 - $66,000, depending on qualifications.
- For the safety of our employees, the contractors/vendors we work with, and the public we serve, OPB has a mandatory COVID vaccination policy and all employees are required to show proof of vaccination.
- This position has access to highly sensitive data and therefore must pass a background check.
How to Apply
For application instructions, please visit OPB's careers page. You will be asked to create an account, upload your cover letter and resume and answer a few position related questions. Once you click “submit” you cannot make changes to your application.
Your application materials are due by 8:59 PM Pacific Time on June 3, 2025.
OPB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.