SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD) is one of the largest and most technologically sophisticated environmental regulatory agencies in the Nation. We serve a four-county region that includes large areas of Los Angeles, Orange County, 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 800 employees, an annual budget of $196.3 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthy environment. South Coast AQMD is an organization you can be proud to work for -- we make a difference in the quality of life in Southern California!
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 a vacancy in our Legal office. The vacancy may be filled at any level listed below, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidates.
- DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL I ($87,403- $117,522 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 ($117,995 - $155,601 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 ($133,668 - $176,326 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 classifications and are eligible for the benefits described on the benefits information tab attached to the job flyer. Deputy District Counsel I is a Confidential Unit classification.
This position has the opportunity to participate in the agency’s Telework Program. Depending on job responsibilities, employees are eligible to telework between one to three days per week, with supervisory approval. Additionally, the position will typically have a 4/10 work schedule (10 hours per day, Tuesday through Friday).
IMPORTANT NOTE: The application period will remain open on a continuous basis, until recruitment needs are met. However, you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as the application period may close at any time. The first round of application review will take place the first week in May, 2024.
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 Coast AQMD Governing 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 matters, 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.Up to 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 PROCESSApplication packages, including responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire, will first be screened, and the most competitively qualified candidates will be invited to the next step of the process, which may include a writing exercise, oral assessment and/or panel interview (weighted at 100%).
Those who advance to the oral assessment and/or panel interviews will be required to submit verification of current California State Bar membership and writing samples prior to the date of the interview. Following the assessment process, an unranked eligible list, in alphabetical order, is expected to be created, from which current and future vacancies may be filled, during the 6-12 month life of the list.
Only those who demonstrate they are among the most competitively qualified, at each successive step of the selection process, will be advanced to the next step. (Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an invitation to the next step.) South Coast AQMD reserves the right to add, delete, and modify any elements of the selection process as deemed appropriate, based on the number and quality of applicants at each step.
Important note for potential candidates who do not have the continued and unrestricted right to work full time in the United States: If you currently, or will in the future, require sponsorship (i.e., H1-B Visa) in order to maintain your right to work in the United States, please be aware that decisions regarding sponsorship for maintaining a right to work in the United States are made on a case-by-case basis. You are welcome to participate in this recruitment process, but there is no guarantee that a job offer with the requested sponsorship will be made to you.
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 $2,060.00 to purchase medical, dental, and life insurance, with unused portion paid to you as cash. Your insurance coverage becomes effective on the first of the month following completion of 30 days of continuous service. Dependent children may be covered to age 26 on medical, dental and vision plans.
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 PPO (without orthodontic benefits)
Delta Dental PPO (with orthodontic benefits for children only)
DeltaCare (PMI) Dental
Vision Plan EyeMed - 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) Claremont EAP, powered by Uprise Health. EAP benefits are available to all employees and their families at no cost. EAP offers confidential advice, support and practical solutions to real-life issues. Services include: confidential therapy, 24-hour crisis help and online peer support groups.
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 13paid holidays per year
Sick Leave 100 hours per year
Other Leaves Bereavement; Jury Duty; Military; Witness
Professional Licenses & Memberships Reimbursed up to $300 per year; $478 for attorney bar dues
Wellness Reimbursement Program Reimbursed up to $300 per year towards the cost of wellness initiatives
Salary Continuation Plan Eligible after one year of service
Tuition Reimbursement Reimbursed up to $5,000 per year
Deferred Compensation (457 Plan) South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, 100% of your regular contribution, up to $8,800. South Coast AQMD matching contribution will be paid to your 401(a) plan.
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.
01/01/2024
