Deputy District Counsel I, II or Senior Deputy District Counsel
Full Time
Diamond Bar, CA
Posted
Job description
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
ABOUT SOUTH COAST AQMD
South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the nation. The South Coast AQMD is dedicated to addressing environmental justice impacts of air pollution and is committed to protecting and improving air quality in the many diverse communities and neighborhoods in the South Coast Air Basin. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley, which is home to more than 17 million people. South Coast AQMD's headquarters is located in Diamond Bar, 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, at the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways. With a highly diverse "Clean Air Team" of over 750 employees, and an annual budget of $179.9 million, South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for.
South Coast AQMD’s mission requires diverse perspectives, talents, and life experiences to solve some of the most complex technical air quality issues. We are committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that appreciates the unique contributions of our employees and fosters professional development and growth. South Coast AQMD respects the distinct ideas and perspectives of our stakeholders and works to bring them together toward the common goal of clean air. Click here to view a video about working at South Coast AQMD
ABOUT THE LEGAL OFFICE AND OUR ATTORNEYS
Attorneys in the Legal Office prepare and litigate cases against violators of South Coast AQMD regulations; negotiate settlement agreements; represent the agency on matters involving enforcement governing bodies; and provide advice to South Coast AQMD staff on a wide range of enforcement issues and policies. Attorneys review and assist in drafting regulations, environmental documents, and proposed legislation; provide advice on interpretation of South Coast AQMD rules and State and federal laws governing our authority and procedures; represent the agency in defense of major litigation challenging rules, policies, and permits; and initiate litigation challenging other agency action that is adverse to the air quality interest of the agency. Our Legal Office advises South Coast AQMD Governing Board members and staff on civil legal matters pertaining to environmental law, government law, and administrative hearings.
ABOUT THIS RECRUITMENT
Our attorneys face some of the most challenging, cutting-edge legal issues in the environmental field. As such, we are seeking exceptional, motivated candidates for multiple vacancies in our Legal office. The vacancies may be filled at any level listed below, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidates.
DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL I ($80,054 - $107,641 Annually)
Performs legal work representing South Coast AQMD in civil cases and administrative hearings; prepares formal opinions; drafts legal documents; and does other work as required. This is the entry level for this series and offers excellent potential for growth within the agency. Following completion of a one-year probationary period and successful performance as a Deputy District Counsel I, attorneys are eligible for non-competitive promotion to Deputy District Counsel II.
DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL II ($108,074 - $142,518 Annually)
Performs varied legal work in representing South Coast AQMD in civil cases and administrative hearings; prepares formal opinions, drafts rules and legal documents; and does other work as required. Promotion to Senior Deputy District Counsel is dependent upon performance and the level of expertise developed and demonstrated as a Deputy District Counsel II.
SENIOR DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL ($122,429 - $161,500 Annually)
Performs difficult and complex legal work representing South Coast AQMD in cases involving civil law; supervises Deputy District Counsels I/II and support personnel; drafts rules and legal documents; prepares formal opinions; and does other work as required.
NOTE REGARDING BENEFITS: The Deputy District Counsel II and Senior Deputy District Counsel are management positions and are eligible for the benefits described on the benefits information tab attached to the job bulletin. Deputy District Counsel I is a Confidential Unit position. A description of benefits associated with that level can be found in the Job Descriptions link on our "Careers" page.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The degree of complexity of duties performed by our attorneys and the independence of action exercised increases, correspondingly, with each successive level in the Deputy District Counsel classification series, but the following duties form the essential core of their assignments:
Assists in representing South Coast AQMD in civil and administrative cases pertaining to enforcement and defense of South Coast AQMD rules and regulations and participates in a wide variety of difficult or complex civil cases and administrative hearings.- Researches, prepares, reviews, and drafts legislation, rules, and formal and informal opinions, pleadings, and other papers for the South Coat AQMD Governing Board, Hearing Board, Executive Officer, or other staff.
- Advises all South Coast AQMD management and staff on legal matters pertaining to South Coast AQMD operations and obligations.
- Provides guidance to investigative and support personnel in preparing civil cases for enforcement.
- A Senior Deputy Counsel, when designated, may act for the Principal Deputy District Counsel in the absence of the incumbent.
MINIMUM AND DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the
Minimum Qualifications which follow, the most competitively qualified candidates will possess:
Knowledge and/or experience that is directly transferable to South Coast AQMD's operations.- Exceptional leadership, oral presentation, negotiation, and written communication skills.
- Significant civil or criminal trial experience, particularly involving prosecution or defense of environmental crimes, administrative hearings, and/or handling other environmental litigation.
- Experience working effectively across office or departmental lines to elicit cooperation and accomplish program goals.
- Ability to interact with a wide variety of stakeholders and establish a credible presence when representing agency programs and policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Active membership in the State Bar Association of California and admission to practice law in all courts of California is REQUIRED for all levels in this classification series.
Note: If you have recently taken the CA Bar exam and are awaiting results, you may be conditionally qualified pending results. If this applies to you, please indicate so on the supplemental questionnaire.
EXPERIENCE:
The Deputy District Counsel II and Senior Deputy District Counsel both require a minimum of two years' post-Bar experience representing individuals, organizations or governmental agencies in hearings and court proceedings. To be considered for the Senior Deputy level, with only two years' post-bar experience, that experience must have involved governmental regulations, environmental or administrative law.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
All levels require knowledge of legal principles; the rules of evidence; the conduct of court proceedings; duties, powers and limitations of governmental agencies; principles of law and their application to governmental agencies in general; methods, procedures and practices used in the conduct of civil litigation; civil enforcement; and the preparation of legal documents. Entry level positions require demonstrated interest and ability to learn these matters. For Senior Deputy District Counsel, candidates must also have knowledge of supervisory principles and practices. Knowledge of environmental law, administrative agency practice, and writ practice is highly desirable.
ABILITY TO:
All levels require the ability to represent South Coast AQMD in administrative hearings and civil cases; prepare legal documents; advise legal and non-legal staff; and gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal action. Candidates for Senior Deputy District Counsel must also have the ability to plan, organize, coordinate and supervise the work of assigned personnel.
OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION
APPLICATION PACKETS MUST INCLUDE:
A completed employment application covering at least the past 10 years of employment history (or longer if you have other relevant experience), and your entire South Coast AQMD employment history if you are a South Coast AQMD employee.- Four references which include the names and phone numbers of your present and past supervisors or managers, and/or college professors or persons for whom you have directly provided services, not peers.
- Responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ is a form of written test, and will be evaluated as such. Your responses should be well written, clear, concise, and directly responsive to the question.
- An unofficial copy of your transcripts (or equivalency evaluation if your education was obtained outside the U.S.), documenting all qualifying education claimed, submitted as an attachment to your online application*.
You MUST submit acceptable documentation for all education claimed on your application. Acceptable documentation consists of an unofficial copy of your transcripts/equivalency evaluation attached to your application. At a later date, candidates under final consideration will be required to arrange for original, official transcripts (or equivalency evaluation, if applicable) to be mailed directly from their college/university to South Coast AQMD, documenting all education claimed on their application.
Job applications must be completely filled out. A resume cannot be substituted for the required information. Be sure to detail any education, training or other relevant coursework that would make you a particularly strong candidate.
SELECTION PROCESS
Application packages, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to participate in a panel interview. The interviews (weighted at 100%) are expected to result in an unranked eligible list, from which current and future vacancies will be filled, during the 6-12 month life of the list. (Please note that the panel interview may be conducted remotely.)
Those invited to the interview process will then be required to submit verification of current California State Bar membership and writing samples prior to the date of the interview.
Only those who demonstrate at each successive step of the selection process that they are among the most competitively qualified will be advanced to the next step. South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, or modify any elements of the selection process deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Candidates who may need a special accommodation during the selection process must call the Human Resources Department at least one week prior to any test dates.
If you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the Human Resources Department at (909) 396-2800.
MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OVERVIEW
BENEFIT
DESCRIPTION
Monthly Benefit Allotment
$2,060, to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash
Medical Health Plans
Blue Shield PPO
Blue Shield PPO Savings Plus 2250 (High Deductible Plan)
Blue Shield HMO
Kaiser HMO
Kaiser HSA HMO 1500 (High Deductible Plan)
Dental Plans
Delta Dental (without orthodontic benefits)
Delta Dental (with orthodontic benefits for children only)
DeltaCare (PMI) Dental
Vision Plan
Medical Eye Services (MES) – Optional
Life Insurance
$5,000 Term Life Insurance
(Optional additional life insurance, paid by you, at 1X, 2X, or 3X your salary)
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Administered by MHN; Provides 3 employer-paid counseling sessions per event, as well as a variety of work and home life support services
Term Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment
$50,000 coverage paid by South Coast AQMD
(Additional optional coverage paid by you)
Long-Term Disability Coverage
Paid by South Coast AQMD
Employee-Paid Long-Term Care Plan
Optional
Section 125
Optional Plans (Medical Reimbursement; Dependent Care)
Work Schedule
Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday
Vacation
80 hours per year, increasing to 120 in years two through five
Holidays
13 paid holidays per year
Sick Leave
100 hours per year
Other Leaves
Bereavement; Catastrophic; Jury Duty; Military; Witness
Professional Licenses & Memberships
Reimbursed up to $300 per year; $478 for attorney bar dues
Physical Examination
Reimbursed up to $300 per year
Salary Continuation Plan
Eligible after one year of service
Tuition Reimbursement
Reimbursed up to $3,000 per year
Deferred Compensation (457 Plan)
South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, 100% of your regular contribution, up to the 2012 IRS maximum
Retirement
2.5% @ 67 defined benefit plan – Applies to employees hired on or after January 1, 2013 who, at time of hire, were not members of the San Bernardino County Employees' Retirement Association (SBCERA) or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.
2.0% @ 55 defined benefit plan – Applies to employees who, prior to January 1, 2013, were active members of SBCERA or another public employee retirement system through which reciprocity may be established.
Employees pay only the Medicare portion of Social Security.
12/07/2021
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