Environmental Justice Law Fellow - Staff Attorney / Staff Attorney Trainee

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District is launching a new Environmental Justice Law Fellowship Program to provide new attorneys with experience in the Air District’s equity and Environmental Justice work. Full information about the program is available here. The program is intended for new attorneys with less than two years of experience at the time of hire. Current third-year students (3Ls) and recent graduates who are in the process of obtaining admission to the California bar are encouraged to apply. A successful applicant who is admitted to practice at the time of hire will be hired into the Staff Attorney position. A successful applicant who is still in the process of gaining admission at the time of hire may start work pending admission to practice; they will be hired into the Staff Attorney Trainee position and will be eligible for placement into the Staff Attorney position upon admission to the California bar within 12 months of hire.

ABOUT THE AIR DISTRICT
The Air District is a regional government agency, committed to achieving clean air to protect the public's health and the environment. The Air District accomplishes this goal through regulation of industrial facilities and various outreach and incentive programs designed to encourage clean air choices. The Air District's jurisdiction encompasses all of seven counties - Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Napa, and portions of two others - southwestern Solano and southern Sonoma.
 
At the Air District, we take pride in our commitment to fostering a workplace that values diversity and promotes cultural awareness. We prioritize employee engagement by providing a collaborative and inclusive environment that encourages active participation and open dialogue. Additionally, we believe in pay equity and strive to create an equitable compensation structure. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, we understand the importance of supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside the workplace. Join us in a dynamic and inclusive culture where your contributions are celebrated, and your growth is nurtured.
 
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
The Environmental Justice Fellowship Program provides new attorneys with experience in the Air District’s equity and environmental justice work. Fellows work on matters in the Legal Division involving environmental justice issues, and they also provide legal support for the Air District’s environmental-justice-focused work being undertaken through the Environmental Justice and Community Engagement Office.

Examples of the types of projects a fellow may work on include:

• Working with the Air District’s AB 617 Community Emission Reduction Plan steering committees;
• Impact litigation in overburdened communities to enforce Air District regulations against chronic violators;
• Legal work supporting the Air District’s Community Advisory Council;
• Implementing initiatives to address cumulative impacts, disparate impact analyses, and other elements of civil rights compliance in the Air District permitting program;
• Drafting CEQA comments on projects proposing to locate in overburdened communities.

The following are examples of typical duties of the Staff Attorney / Staff Attorney Trainee position. Participants in the Environmental Justice Fellowship Program will perform duties of this nature, but with a specific focus on the Air District’s equity and environmental justice work.

Staff Attorney:
Prepares and tries routine legal cases, often involving a specialized body of law.
 
Researches legal issues and prepares and reviews legal documents, including opinions, briefs, ordinances, resolutions, and contracts.
 
Advises Air District departmental management regarding Air District authority, jurisdiction, functions and operational procedures.
 
Represents the Air District in court and in administrative hearings before boards and commissions and state and federal agencies.
 
Attends Air District departmental, board and committee meetings and provides legal advice on a variety of matters.

Investigates and prepares reports regarding claims by and against the Air District and recommends actions to be taken.

Reviews ordinances, resolutions, contracts and other documents for legal sufficiency; recommends modifications as required.
 
Maintains accurate records and files and compiles reports of work performed.
 
Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions; evaluates their impact on Air District operations.
 
Performs other duties as assigned.
 
Staff Attorney Trainee:
Conducts legal research and prepares legal memoranda for review by Air District attorneys.
 
Assists Air District attorneys in the preparation of routine cases, often involving a specialized body of law.

Assists Air District attorneys in reviewing air quality regulations and policies.
 
Monitors legal developments, including proposed legislation and court decisions, considers their impacts on the Air District operations, and reports to supervising attorneys.
 
Participates in Air District departmental, Board, and committee meetings.
 
Maintains, organizes, and tracks accurate records and compiles reports of work performed.

Supports special projects as needed.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Staff Attorney:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a law degree from an accredited law school. Must be a member in good standing of the State Bar of California.
 
Staff Attorney Trainee:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and a law degree from an accredited law school. Must be in the process of gaining admission to the California bar (including studying for, taking, and passing the bar exam and fulfilling all related requirements for admission). Employees in the Staff Attorney Trainee position must obtain bar admission for placement to Staff Attorney within twelve months of hire.

How to Apply

Interested individuals must submit a completed BAAQMD application, cover letter, resume, and responses to the supplemental questionnaire by 5pm on Monday, December 2, 2024. Applications are accepted online; please visit our website at www.baaqmd.gov/jobs to apply.

Resumes must be attached to the application, and will not be accepted in lieu of the required application materials. Postmarks, faxes, and e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
 
Except as requested in this announcement, do not include any additional documents, such as letters of recommendation, performance evaluations, work samples, etc. They will not be considered.

Supplemental Questions Instructions



Persons with disabilities who may require reasonable accommodations during the application and/or selection process should notify the Human Resources Office at (415) 749-4980.

The District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.