Deputy Director Environmental Law

Deputy Director Environmental Law Description

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) strives to protect our state's public health and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. Our goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.

This position leads our Environmental Law Division as a division within the Office of Legal Services.

The Environmental Law Division primarily supports the offices of Air, Waste, and Water. This division provides legal counsel to the agency in all areas of permitting and rule making, and represents the executive director in contested permitting matters in accordance with state law and agency rules regarding participation in hearings. The division’s functions also include legal support related to federal program delegation, interpretation of environmental statutes and rules, and support for the Office of the Attorney General in state and federal court litigation.

Salary:
Commensurate with Experience.

• Licensed to practice law in Texas, active and in good standing with the State Bar of Texas.
• Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD) from an accredited law school.
• Ten years or more of experience practicing environmental law.
• Five years or more experience with TCEQ environmental permitting and/or related proceedings.
• Five or more years of experience counseling clients before regulatory agencies, or representing regulatory agencies, such as TCEQ.
• Ten or more years of experience preparing filings for, and participating in, administrative, state/federal civil, and/or appellate court hearings.

• Lead, administer, and direct the resources, operations, and output of Environmental Law Division. Direct the division budget and strategic planning to maximize division resources.
• Provide highly developed leadership ensuring Senior Attorneys understand performance measures that apply to their work and the staff they supervise. Oversee staff development.
• Provide complex legal advice to TCEQ commissioners, executives, management, and staff.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Texas Attorney General and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on civil matters and serve as a liaison with federal and state agencies on environmental issues.
• Testify, present before, and meet with local, state, and federal governmental bodies, legislators, and other associations concerning agency environmental policies and procedures.
• Participate in preparing and presenting, as appropriate, agenda items before the Commission. Coordinate with the division Senior Attorneys on litigation strategy for contested permitting matters.
• Monitor and evaluate state and federal regulatory, statutory, and judicial developments and assess their effect on agency environmental programs.
• Certify compliance with Administrative Procedures Act rule making requirements.

Please apply online.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is an Equal Opportunity Employer.