Assistant Counsel I/II

at  Bay Area Air Quality Management District

DESCRIPTION

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is recruiting for the position of Assistant Counsel I/II in the Office of General Counsel. This position will focus primarily on civil prosecution of air quality violations, including cases seeking civil penalties and/or injunctive relief before the Air District’s administrative Hearing Board and in Superior Court. Experience prosecuting or defending such cases under air quality or other environmental laws, or in other similar enforcement contexts, is highly desirable. The position will also provide legal advice, counseling and representation on related legal issues arising under local, state and federal air pollution laws and regulations, including air quality permitting, development of new regulations, California Environmental Quality Act issues, contract drafting, administrative law issues, and civil rights compliance, among others. Many of the most pressing air quality issues the Bay Area faces relate to disproportionate air pollution burdens in historically disadvantaged communities, so experience and familiarity with environmental justice issues is desirable. This is a full-time, exempt, management position. There is currently one (1) vacancy.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Counsel I: Equivalent to graduation from a college or university plus an appropriate law degree and two years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law, preferably with a public agency and preferably involving environmental law and/or enforcement cases, although other relevant experience will be considered.
Assistant Counsel II: In addition to the above, two additional years of experience as an attorney engaged in the practice of law, preferably practicing civil environmental enforcement with a public agency in the State of California, although other relevant experience will be considered.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California at the time of hire.

Prepares and tries routine to difficult cases, often involving a specialized body of law.
Represents the Air District in court and in administrative hearings before boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
Investigates and prepares reports regarding claims by and against the Air District and recommends actions to be taken.
Advises Air District departmental management regarding Air District authority, jurisdiction, functions and operational procedures.
Researches legal problems and prepares opinions, briefs, ordinances, resolutions, and other legal documents.
Attends Air District departmental, board and commission meetings to provide legal advice on a variety of matters.
Reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents for legal sufficiency; recommends modifications as required.
Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on Air District operations and recommends appropriate action.