Environmental Legal Specialist

This is an exciting opportunity to be a legal analyst in the Air Quality Improvement Planning Section at ADEQ. This position will assist a great team who is working to develop State Implementation Plans under the Clean Air Act and reduce ambient air pollution. You will perform moderately complex legal analysis to assist with the management of the rule writing process, including: providing legal guidance on rule language and impacts; assisting with planning the rule development strategy; and synthesizing information into effective and concise rule language. This position will also conduct research and data analysis pertaining to identifying, measuring, or eliminating sources of ambient air pollution that affect public health and the environment.

This position is available for remote work on a full-time basis within Arizona (including virtual office arrangements)
OR remote work within Arizona (# days per week in the office/hoteling).

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State's Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Review and draft environmental regulations, regulatory reports and State Implementation Plans
Draft and coordinate the promulgation of environmental regulations
Make recommendations to Agency counsel concerning legal issues
Analyze the impacts of new statutes and regulations
Conduct complex policy analysis for developing State Implementation Plans (SIPs) including: researching case law and air quality regulations, policies, and guidance; analyzing air quality data; and determining what data is scientifically credible and defensible to ensure compliance with applicable regulations while generating SIPs
Correspond professionally and expeditiously with applicants, stakeholders and the public on environmental issues

Knowledge of State and Federal environmental regulations, including the Clean Air Act
Familiarity with environmental sciences and research, sources of air pollution, best practices for preventing the release of pollutants, statistical analysis, and investigative techniques

Juris Doctor Degree (required)
An undergraduate degree in law, environmental/chemical engineering, environmental science, environmental policy, atmospheric chemistry, meteorology, or environmental resource management is preferred
Prior work experience working with State and Federal environmental regulations
Prior work experience conducting legal research and writing

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Among the many benefits of a career with the State of Arizona, there are:
10 paid holidays per year
Accrual of sick and annual leave beginning at 12 and 13 days per year respectively for full-time employees
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program, learn more at hr.az.gov/family-leave-expansion).
A top-ranked retirement program with lifetime pension benefits
A robust and affordable insurance plan to include medical, dental, life, short-term and long-term disability
An incentivized commuter club and public transportation subsidy program
We promote the importance of work/life balance by offering workplace flexibility
We offer a variety of learning and career development opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

ASRS Lifetime Pension Benefits

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting HPO@azdeq.gov.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.