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Job Description
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
EXCELLENT SALARY AND BENEFITS!
Principal Deputy District Counsel
Annual Base Salary: $145,512 to $197, 228
+ $30,144 annual health insurance benefits allowance
= Annual Base Salary plus Health Insurance Benefits Allowance: $175,656 to $227, 372
Senior Deputy District Counsel
Annual Base Salary: $139,014 to $188, 422
+ $30,144 annual health insurance benefits allowance
= Annual Base Salary Plus Health Insurance Benefits Allowance: $169,158 to $218,566
(see below for details on Health Insurance Benefits Allowance)
In addition to the excellent annual base salaries, these positions come with a valuable, comprehensive benefits package, including:
Work Schedule- Four 10-hour days, Tuesday through Friday
- Eligible to participate in the District's Telework Program
- $2,512 per month in health insurance benefits allowance
- Plus, South Coast AQMD pays an additional fixed monthly amount directly to the insurance companies on your behalf to further buy down the cost of premiums
- Selection of medical, dental, and Basic life insurance coverage for an individual is required
- Cash back paid to the employee for any amount of the monthly allowance not spent on insurance
- Defined Benefit Plan
- Lifetime retirement benefit based on a formula, and not how much you have contributed to the plan
- Formula is based on years of service, age, and earnable compensation
- Example formula: 2.5% of earnable compensation at age 67 multiplied by years of service = pension amount
- South Coast AQMD matches, dollar for dollar, 100% of the employee's contribution, up to $8,800
- $5,000 Term Life Insurance (optional additional life insurance, paid by employee, at 1X, 2X or 3X employee's salary)
- $50,000 Term Life/ADD Insurance (Optional coverage paid by employee)
- Reimbursement of $300 per calendar year towards the cost of wellness initiatives
- Up to $478 for attorney bar dues, and up to $300 per year for other professional membership fees
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 850 employees, an annual budget of $211.4 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!
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.
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 to fill multiple vacancies in our Legal office. The vacancies may be filled at either level listed below, depending on the qualifications of the selected candidates.- SENIOR DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL ( $139,014 to $188,422 Annual base salary)
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.- PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL ( $145,512 to $197,228 Annual base salary )
Assists in handling the most sensitive, controversial, or complex legal matters encountered in the Legal Office, as well as assisting in the day-to day direction of attorneys and support staff. A Principal Deputy District Counsel may act for the General Counsel or Chief Deputy Counsel in his/her absence.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
SENIOR DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL:- Represents South Coast AQMD in difficult and complex administrative proceedings, both quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative, including background investigation matters and interviewing witnesses.
- Represents South Coast AQMD before the Superior Court, and State and federal agencies.
- Supervises Deputy District Counsels and support personnel; directs investigative personnel in developing and preparing civil and criminal cases for prosecution.
- Interprets South Coast AQMD rules and regulations and prepares both oral and written advisory material for South Coast AQMD management and staff.
- Drafts and reviews, for form and content, South Coast AQMD rules, permits, contracts, leases and other legal documents.
- Confers with and counsels all South Coast AQMD management and staff on legal matters pertaining to the South Coast AQMD operations and obligations.
- Prepares formal opinions, pleadings and other papers in connection with South Coast AQMD litigation.
- Conducts legal research, prepares and litigates cases on South Coast AQMD's behalf, before South Coast AQMD Hearing Board, State and federal courts, and State and federal administrative boards and commissions.
- Assists in the drafting of leases, contracts and other legal instruments.
- When designated, may act for the Principal Deputy District Counsel in the absence of the incumbent.
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL:- Assists in the role of legal advisor to South Coast AQMD's Board, Executive Officer, and staff on all legal issues affecting the operations of South Coast AQMD. In the Legal Office, assists in the representation of South Coast AQMD in civil and administrative cases pertaining to enforcement of South Coast AQMD air quality regulations and rules.
- Researches and prepares drafts of legislation, rules, and formal or informal opinions for South Coast AQMD's Board, Hearing Board, Executive Officer, or other staff, on legal matters affecting their respective functions and operations; directs the preparation of and reviews opinions or cases prepared by legal staff; and participates in the most difficult or complex civil or criminal air quality hearings or cases.
- Assists in representing South Coast AQMD in matters before the Hearing Board, in civil or criminal litigation before the courts, in appearances before other public agencies and legislative bodies, and provides interpretations and advice on complex legal issues involving South Coast AQMD's rules, regulations, and operations.
- Assists in the day-to-day direction of legal and support staff, including review of work, and providing technical supervision to attorneys.
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, supervisory, 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 both 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.
SENIOR DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL:
EXPERIENCE: Either two years of experience in the class or Deputy District Counsel II -OR- two years as an attorney representing individuals, organizations, or government in hearings and court proceedings involving governmental regulations, environmental or administrative law.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Legal principles; the rules of evidence; the conduct of court proceedings; duties, powers and limitations of governmental agencies; principles of civil and criminal law and their application to governmental agencies in general and South Coast AQMD in particular; methods, procedures and practices used in the conduct of civil and criminal litigation, the preparation of legal instruments; supervisory principles and practices; environmental law, administrative agency practice, and writ practice is highly desirable.
ABILITY TO: Represent South Coast AQMD in hearings and civil cases and before administrative agencies of government; draw up legal documents; advise legal and non-legal staff on legal issues, opinions and practices pertaining to hearings, civil and criminal cases; gather evidence to formulate defense or to initiate legal action; correlate findings and prepare cases; examine and cross-examine witnesses; plan, organize, coordinate and supervise the work of assigned personnel.
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL:
EXPERIENCE: One year of experience as a Senior Deputy District Counsel - OR - Four years of progressively responsible experience as an attorney representing individuals, organizations, or government in hearings and court proceedings involving governmental regulations, environmental, or administrative law.
KNOWLEDGE OF: Legal principles; rules of evidence; conduct of court proceedings; duties, powers and limitations of governmental agencies; principles of civil law and their application to governmental agencies; the policies, rules, and regulations governing South Coast AQMD; legal research methods; and principles and practices of supervision and caseload management.
ABILITY TO: Represent South Coast AQMD in hearings, court cases, and before administrative agencies of government; advise legal and non-legal staff on legal issues, opinions, and practices pertaining to hearings, civil or administrative cases; perform research and gather information or evidence upon which to make recommendations, formulate opinions or initiate legal action and formulate defense; communicate clearly, diplomatically and concisely, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain effective relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.
LICENSE: Possession of a valid California Class "C" Driver License may be required.
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 PROCESS
Application 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.
[TWO OPTIONS FOR INCLUSION]
Option 1:
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.
Option 2:
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 this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
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
Closing Date/Time: 2/20/2025 11:59 PM Pacific -
ABOUT THE COMPANY
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South Coast Air Quality Management District
Show moreSouth 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 all of Orange County and the urban portions of Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, 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, an annual budget of $170.9 million, and a state-of-the art air quality laboratory, our mission is to ensure clean air and a healthful environment.
Mission
To clean the air and protect the health of all residents in the South Coast Air District through practical and innovative strategies.
What is the South Coast AQMD?
South Coast AQMD is the regulatory agency responsible for improving air quality for large areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties, including the Coachella Valley. The region is home to more than 17 million people–about half the population of the entire state of California.
Despite significant improvements to air quality, more work needs to be done to protect public health through innovative and practical strategies. Air pollution can cause or worsen many health problems, including asthma attacks, heart disease, certain types of cancers and premature death. South Coast AQMD has been at the forefront of the nation’s air pollution reduction efforts for more than eight decades.
What South Coast AQMD Does
South Coast AQMD is responsible for controlling emissions primarily from stationary sources of air pollution. These can include anything from large power plants and refineries to the corner gas station. There are about 28,400 such businesses operating under South Coast AQMD permits. Many consumer products are also considered stationary sources; these include house paint, furniture varnish, and thousands of products containing solvents that evaporate into the air. About 25% of this area's ozone-forming air pollution comes from stationary sources, both businesses and residences. The other 80% comes from mobile sources–mainly cars, trucks and buses, but also construction equipment, ships, trains and airplanes. Emission standards for mobile sources are established by state or federal agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, rather than by local agencies such as the South Coast AQMD.
How South Coast AQMD Controls Pollution
South Coast AQMD develops and adopts an Air Quality Management Plan, which serves as the blueprint to bring this area into compliance with federal and state clean air standards. Rules are adopted to reduce emissions from various sources, including specific types of equipment, industrial processes, paints and solvents, even consumer products. Permits are issued to many businesses and industries to ensure compliance with air quality rules. South Coast AQMD staff conducts periodic inspections to ensure compliance with these requirements.
The test of whether these efforts are working is the quality of the air we breathe. South Coast AQMD continuously monitors air quality at 38 locations throughout the four-county area. This also allows South Coast AQMD to notify the public whenever air quality is unhealthful.
South Coast AQMD’s Sources of Revenue
To meet its financial need, the South Coast AQMD utilizes a system of evaluation fees, annual operating fees, emission fees, Hearing Board fees, penalties/ settlements and investments that generate approximately 73% of South Coast AQMD’s revenue. The remaining 27% of its revenue is from federal grants, California Air Resources (CARB) subvention funds, and California Clean Air Act Motor Vehicle fees.
Progress So Far
Air quality in this area has continually improved despite an enormous increase in population and cars. For example, maximum levels of ozone, one of our worst smog problems, have been cut to less than one quarter of what they were in the 1950s, even though today we have nearly three times as many people and four times as many vehicles.
In recent decades, we have eliminated Stage I smog alerts, which used to occur 100-120 times a year. We have not reached Stage II levels since the 1980s.
The Job Ahead
The clean air effort still has a long way to go. In 2005, the federal 1-hour standard was replaced by a stricter 8-hours standard that was further strengthened in 2008. Even though recent years have been the cleanest on record, our air in the South Coast Air Basin still exceeded the federal health 8-hour standard for ozone on 113 days in 2009. Maximum levels are almost twice as high as the federal standard for clean air.
State and federal law requires this area to meet existing clean air standards by the year 2015 for annual PM 2.5; and by 2023 for the 8-hour average ozone standard. However, tougher federal air quality standards for particulates and ozone issued in 2006 and 2008 require reductions above and beyond those already planned. South Coast AQMD estimates it will take until at least 2020 to meet the new 24-hour average particulate standard, and until 2030 to meet the new ozone standard. This may seem like a long time to continue to live with smog. But the cleanup effort is enormous. Even though we already have the strictest pollution control requirements in the nation, we still have to reduce some types of pollution by up to 90% if we are to rid the area of smog.
The war on smog began in this region more than a half century ago. With continued commitment and sensitivity to the impacts of efforts to control smog, residents can be assured that public health standards for air quality will be achieved.
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