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Job Description
SOUTH COAST AQMD AND JOB OVERVIEW
EXCELLENT SALARY AND BENEFITS!
Deputy District Counsel I
Annual Base Salary: $90,899 to $125,584
+ $30,144 annual health insurance benefits allowance
= Annual Base Salary plus Health Insurance Benefits Allowance: $121,043 to $155,728
Deputy District Counsel II
Annual Base Salary: $122,715 to $166,276
+ $30,144 annual health insurance benefits allowance
= Annual Base Salary Plus Health Insurance Benefits Allowance: $152,859 to $196,420
(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)
- $20,000 (Confidential)/$50,000 (Management) 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; 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 POSITION
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.
DEPUTY DISTRICT COUNSEL I
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
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.
NOTE REGARDING BENEFITS: The Deputy District Counsel II is a management classification and is eligible for the benefits described on the benefits information tab attached to the job flyer. Deputy District Counsel I is a confidential classification.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The general Example of Duties for this classification are highlighted below, for full description of duties please refer to this link here .
Deputy District Counsel I
- Represents South Coast AQMD in administrative and court proceedings; reviews and prepares rules, legal documents and formal opinions.
- Advises division directors and other South Coast AQMD staff on questions regarding South Coast AQMD and divisional powers, functions, jurisdiction and operational procedures.
- Examines general claims, legal warrants and demands against South Coast AQMD to determine their legality.
- Confers with attorneys and South Coast AQMD officials on legal questions pertaining to their respective powers, duties and obligations.
- Prepares legal documents such as briefs, opinions and pleadings.
- Assists staff in the preparation of the more difficult cases.
- Represents South Coast AQMD at the Hearing Board, special boards or other governmental bodies.
- Coordinates the gathering and compilation of data for use in legal proceedings.
- Represents South Coast AQMD before the Hearing Board, or other commissions or special Boards, to ensure South Coast AQMD's case receives an appropriate and accurate pleading.
- Advises and counsels appropriate South Coast AQMD staff on legal questions regarding South Coast AQMD authority, jurisdiction, functions and operational procedures.
- Prepares assigned legal documents, opinions, briefs and air quality rules, as appropriate.
- Advises and counsels appropriate South Coast AQMD staff on the legal ramifications of various contracts and agreements.
- Performs legal research and information gathering as necessary to perform the legal functions of the position.
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.
- Experience handling complex civil, criminal, or administrative matters, 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
The Deputy District Counsel I, II REQUIRE a ctive membership in the State Bar Association of California and admission to practice law in all courts of California.
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 requires a minimum of two years' post-Bar experience representing individuals, organizations or governmental agencies in hearings and court proceedings. The Deputy District Counsel I requires no experience.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
Legal principles; the rules of evidence; the conduct of court proceedings; duties, powers and limitations of governmental agencies; methods, procedures and practices used in the conduct of civil and criminal litigation and the preparation of legal instruments; environmental law 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.
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.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.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. 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.
THE 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. (Please note that exams/interviews may be conducted remotely).
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.
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.)
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.
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, 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.
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.
Candidates who may need accommodations 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: 7/16/2025 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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