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NEOGOV · 1 hour ago

Assistant Attorney General - Environmental Litigation and Regulatory

Salt Lake County, UT

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level

$58.44/hr - $87.04/hr

5+ years exp

NEOGOV is seeking an Assistant Attorney General for Environmental Litigation and Regulatory within the Utah Attorney General’s Office. The role focuses on representing the Utah Department of Environmental Quality in civil and administrative litigation, requiring significant prior litigation experience and collaboration with various professionals on interdisciplinary case teams.

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Responsibilities

Supporting DEQ’s civil enforcement functions by conducting legal research and analysis, identifying and evaluating evidence, interviewing witnesses, working closely with DEQ enforcement personnel to draft administrative notices and orders, civil complaints, negotiating resolutions, and preparing stipulated compliance orders

Assisting DEQ with the assessment and recovery of civil penalties, through litigation or settlement

Filing civil actions to enforce final administrative orders and representing DEQ in reviews of administrative actions by trial de novo in district court under the Utah Rules of Civil Procedure

Assisting DEQ in conducting joint enforcement activities with EPA in situations where DEQ and EPA have shared and overlapping enforcement jurisdiction

Assisting DEQ with contested permitting matters, including representing DEQ in internal permit appeals (administrative litigation) and subsequent state court appellate review of final DEQ permitting orders

Assisting DEQ in connection with federal court, including circuit court, litigation involving various matters where DEQ, or the state of Utah, is a party or amicus relating to programs under the scope of Title 19, including especially the Clean Air Act and Radiation Control Act

Assisting DEQ in responding to releases of hazardous materials and substances, including emergency situations, investigations, natural resource damage claims, and supporting DEQ’s involvement in EPA’s Superfund program, DEQ’s voluntary cleanup program, petroleum storage tank matters, and cost recovery

Assisting DEQ and its boards in preparing, revising, and improving administrative rules, including preparing for potential appeals, under the Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act

Working with EPA and the NRC to facilitate DEQ’s compliance with federal program requirements, including issuing opinion letters

Supporting DEQ in connection with nationwide litigation involving major EPA enforcement matters that may require DEQ support

Limited travel, including overnight stays, may be required

Qualification

Civil litigation experienceEnvironmental law knowledgeLegal research skillsRules of evidenceRules of civil procedureCommunication skillsAnalytical skillsTechnical supportProblem-solving skillsInterpersonal skills

Required

A minimum of five (5) years of civil litigation experience

Must be a member of or eligible for membership in the Utah State Bar

Admitted or eligible for admission to practice in the state and federal courts of Utah

Excellent written and oral communication and legal research skills

Ability to work with scientists, engineers, enforcement specialists, and other professionals on interdisciplinary case teams

Familiarity with civil litigation norms and practices, litigation holds, discovery, management of electronic records, subpoenas, and similar matters

Understand and apply the rules of evidence, rules of civil procedure, and local court rules

Communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing

Read, interpret, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures

Speak clearly, concisely, and effectively; listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally

Understand and apply case and statutory law

Evaluate information against a set of standards

Use logic to analyze or identify underlying principles, reasons, or facts associated with information or data to draw conclusions

Understanding of laws, legal codes, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, the democratic political process, and legislative history

Perform legal research using case law and appropriate techniques and technology

Apply laws governing access to public and private records, including the Government Records Access and Management Act

Make decisions and solve problems by using logic to identify key facts, explore alternatives, and propose quality solutions

Engage with others in a manner that shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism

Provide support for technical experts and related reports and testimony

Interpret and apply legal decisions and identify current and emerging trends in interpretation

Understand and apply principles, theories, and practices of judicial and administrative law

A Juris Doctorate is required

Active membership in the Utah State Bar where statute mandates

Valid driver license required to drive a motor vehicle on a highway in this state

Preferred

Administrative and appellate litigation, regulatory experience, including environmental law

Technical or scientific background

Demonstrated interest or prior experience in environmental, energy, and natural resources law

Benefits

This position is eligible for a full benefits package.

The State of Utah offers eligible employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.