Legal Intern

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is the government agency responsible for protecting air quality in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Air District is tasked with regulating stationary sources of air pollution in the nine counties that surround San Francisco Bay: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, southwestern Solano, and southern Sonoma counties. It is governed by a 24-member Board of Directors composed of locally elected officials from each of the nine counties. The Air District’s mission is to create a healthy breathing environment for every Bay Area resident, while protecting and improving public health, air quality and the global climate. 
 
The Air District aims to achieve its mission through many strategic goals, including reducing and eliminating health problems caused by air pollution, achieving and maintaining air quality standards, leading the Bay Area’s efforts to fight global climate change, creating high-quality regulatory programs, and applying environmental best practices in all operations. To do so, the Air District regulates air pollution emissions from stationary emission sources such as factories, refineries, and power plants, and from smaller facilities like gas stations and dry cleaners. The Air District ensures that such facilities comply with air pollution laws and regulations, provides incentives to replace older, higher-emitting vehicles and equipment with cleaner alternatives, and gives grants and provides outreach to encourage healthy clean air choices by businesses and consumers. The Air District implements these efforts with an equity focus, aiming to reduce air quality disparities and promote environmental justice by targeting local air pollution in overburdened communities.  
 
The Air District recognizes and values the contributions of every employee and works to sustain an environment where everyone is respected. We incorporate the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion within our decision-making strategies, policies, procedures, regulations, funding initiatives, public outreach, planning, and hiring.
 
The Air District is recruiting for the position of LEGAL INTERN in the Legal Office. This is a temporary, exempt summer position. There are two (2) vacancies.
 

DEFINITION

Under close supervision by a licensed attorney, performs various work related to, and in support of, legal casework being undertaken by attorneys in the Legal Division. The intern gains practical work experience assisting the Air District’s attorneys, while following guidelines and procedures defined by the Legal Division.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Legal Intern is a temporary training position for current law students and recent law school graduates. Interns will apply their legal education to work and gain practical experience assisting experienced attorneys on a variety of cases and projects. Interns will gain valuable environmental law and regulatory experience.

(Illustrative only)

Conduct legal research and prepare legal memoranda for review by attorneys.

Assist attorneys in the preparation of routine cases, often involving a specialized body of law.

Assist attorneys in reviewing air quality regulations and policies.

Monitor legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions, evaluate their impacts on Air District operations, and recommend appropriate action.

Attend and take notes at Air District departmental, board and committee meetings.

Maintain, organize, and track accurate records, and compile reports of work performed.

Provide support for special projects, as needed.

Perform related duties, as assigned.

Education & Experience:

Must be enrolled in and have completed the first year at an accredited law school (summer enrollment not required), or have recently graduated from an accredited law school and be studying for the California bar exam or awaiting admission to the California bar after completion of the bar exam.

Knowledge of:
Principles and procedures of civil law.
 
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
 
Principles, methods and techniques of legal research, analysis and investigation.
 
Skill in:
Defining issues, performing legal research, analyzing problems, evaluating alternatives and making appropriate recommendations.
 
Presenting statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
 
Exercising sound judgment within general policy guidelines and legal parameters.
 
Interpreting state and federal laws affecting Air District operations.

Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the intern’s work.
 
Writing legal documents.
 
 
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS 
 
Physical Demands:
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.  
 
Working Conditions:
Incumbents perform work in an office setting with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS: 
 
Must not be a member of the State Bar of California or any other Bar at the time of hire or the time of the internship.