Attorney IV/Environmental/Air, Water & Natural Resources/(60010270)

This position is located in the Environmental Division of the North Carolina Department of Justice.

Hybrid telework opportunities are available for this position.  

THE STARTING SALARY FOR A NEW HIRE TO THIS POSITION IS LIMITED TO THE RECRUITMENT RANGE OF $92,917 to $115,937. Salary offers for the selected candidate are based on the candidate's education and experience related to the position, as well as our agency budget and equity.

This position has primary responsibility for handling an advanced level of legal work, independently representing and advising the clients in the implementation of the State’s air and water quality programs, including programs delegated and approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Federal Clean Air Act and the Federal Clean Water Act, and in the implementation, administration and enforcement of State and Federal fisheries management laws. This position may also advise and represent the DEQ Division of Water Resources in its implementation of the Coal Ash Management Act of 2014. This position may be called upon to perform work in other sections within the Environmental Division.

This position is not subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Note to Current State Employees:
 The salary grade for this position is LG09. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position.  Please detail ALL work history including non-state service experience.  If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY or MAY NOT result.

The State of North Carolina offers employer-paid health insurance plus twelve paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at Employee Benefits

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Handle Civil and Administrative Litigation

• The attorney in this position independently represents the clients in all levels of civil litigation before State and federal courts, and before the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings.  The attorney may also appear before other boards, agencies or commissions on behalf of the client agencies in regulatory matters that may result in litigation.
• The nature of the representation is varied, and may include enforcement proceedings, defending permitting decisions and other final decisions of the client agencies, challenging and supporting federal regulations that impact the clients’ regulatory programs, seeking injunctive and declaratory relief and representing the clients when such relief is requested against them. 
• This attorney will be expected to work directly with client representatives to gather all information necessary to understand the factual and legal issues in each case, and to review documents and interview individuals involved to effectively represent the client.
• The attorney is expected to objectively evaluate each case assigned.  Litigation strategies are developed by this attorney. The attorney is expected to make all key litigation decisions in consultation with the client, and to recognize when litigation strategies should be discussed with the Section Supervisor and Division Head. 
• The attorney must prepare and respond to discovery, conduct and defend depositions of fact and expert witnesses, prepare witnesses for testifying at depositions and before various tribunals, organize evidence, conduct legal and factual research, prepare and file legal documents (pleadings, motions, briefs, post-trial motions, etc.), prepare records on appeal, argue motions, appeals, engage in formal and informal mediation, and try cases.  This list is not exhaustive, and the attorney must recognize where additional tasks are necessary for effective and efficient representation, and be able to perform those tasks.
• The subject matter involved in representation is complex.  The attorney must develop and maintain an understanding of the clients’ programs, State and federal statutory, regulatory, and case law, as well as an understanding of matters pertaining to legal representation such as civil procedure, e-discovery, legal research databases, legal ethics, and rules of courts. 
• The attorney must also provide clear direction to other attorney members of litigation teams, to paralegals and program assistants, and utilize their services as appropriate. The attorney is expected to maintain good working relationships with all employees.

Respond to Inquiries from Client, the Public and Officials

• The attorney in this position responds to inquiries from the clients, the general public and public officials involving legal interpretation and application of statutes, rules and regulations to specific factual situations and as related to general policies and procedures, by conducting legal research and rendering opinions based on this research. The attorney must have the capability to research and respond to complex issues. 

Prepare and Argue Criminal Appellate Cases 

• The attorney in this position will be expected to represent the State in criminal cases on appeal from superior courts. These cases will involve complex issues of North Carolina criminal law as well as State and federal constitutional law, and may involve cases of first impression.

Develop and maintain thorough knowledge of environmental case, statutory, regulatory and common law. 
Conduct civil or criminal litigation in trial and appellate courts.  
Interpret and apply laws, constitutions, statutes, regulations, court decisions, legal principles and other precedent.
Express arguments and conclusions clearly and logically in oral and written form. 

Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and four years of progressively responsible professional legal experience.

The NC Department of Justice accomplishes our goals through our DOJ Organizational Values of Public Service, Integrity, Excellence, Teamwork, Diversity, and Innovation. We encourage all qualified candidates who are committed to these values and want to make a difference in the lives of our citizens to apply for this opportunity.
  
 Please be sure to complete the application in full.
  
 Note the following: If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.
  
 Resumes and cover letters:   To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form. This information is used to determine if you meet the requirements of the position, and if you are selected, it is used to determine a salary offer.
  
 Using the terms "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will not be accepted and your application will be rejected as incomplete.  Cover letters are highly encouraged but not required.    
  
 Transcripts:  Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. A copy of your transcripts indicating the degree received can be uploaded with your application.
  
 If a transcript has been requested, your application will be considered incomplete if you do not provide one. Using a photograph of your diploma is not acceptable.
 
 Credit for foreign degrees will only be given if verification of degree certification is attached to your application.  Transcripts for foreign degrees have to be evaluated by an organization like World Education Services to determine US equivalency.
  
 Any licenses or certificates must be included in the appropriate section of the application form.
  
 Veterans Preference: Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 or discharge orders.
  
 Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if you are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If you are a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, you must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
  
 Application status: To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take an average of 6 – 8 weeks.  All applicants will be notified by email once a position is filled.
  
 NeoGov Help Line: If you are having technical issues submitting your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 855-524-5627. If there are any questions about this posting, other than your application status, please contact the NC DOJ Human Resources office.
  
 The NC Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The NC Department of Justice uses Merit-Based Recruitment to select from among the most qualified applicants to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act.
  
 CONTACT INFORMATION:
 NC Department of Justice
 Human Resources Office
 114 W. Edenton Street
 Raleigh, NC 27603
 919-716-6490