Environmental Attorney Attorney - III

Overview

Careers at SCDES:
Where Passion Meets Preservation

Do you love South Carolina and protecting the environment? Come join our team at SCDES, put your passion to work with us. We are dedicated to protecting the state of South Carolina and we would love to have you as a member of our team!

Science | Service | Sustainability

Help protect and shape South Carolina’s coastline. The Office of General Counsel is seeking an Attorney III to support the Bureau of Coastal Management, providing legal guidance on permitting, coastal development, conservation, and regulatory compliance. This is a fantastic opportunity for an early-career attorney with experience or with a passion for environmental and coastal resources.

Reporting to the Chief Counsel for Bureau of Coastal Management you will provide legal services to Coastal Management staff who oversee coastal permitting, shoreline protection, construction impacts, and resource management. This position involves meaningful legal work from the very beginning—policy research, litigation, administrative hearings, legal review, and collaboration with technical experts.

• Legal Advice & Counsel:
  Provide legal advice related to coastal permitting, coastal zone management, and associated state/federal requirements.
• Review:
  Review statutes, regulations, policies, and agency actions for legal soundness.
• Representation:
  Represent the agency in meetings with the public, regulated community, partners, counsel, and the media.
• Inquiries:
  Assist in responding to inquiries involving development, shoreline impacts, and environmental decisions.
• Litigation:
  Manage coastal-related litigation and appeals before state/federal courts and administrative tribunals.
• Document Preparation & Review:
  Draft or review legal documents supporting coastal permits and compliance actions; ensure documents are clear, accurate, and consistent with applicable laws.
• Legal Research:
  Conduct complex legal research related to coastal zone management, property rights, environmental statutes, and administrative law.
• Support Staff Oversight:
  Review work of assigned support staff for accuracy and completeness; maintain communication on the status of litigation and non-litigation matters.

• A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least one (1) year of experience as a practicing attorney.
• An active member in good standing with the South Carolina Bar.
• Completion of the trial experiences required by Rule 403 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules.
• Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
• Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application are encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. If selected for an interview, a copy of the college transcript and a writing sample will be required via email or at the time of the interview. Some departments within the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe after hiring.

• Additional Requirements:
  
  Thorough knowledge of the laws of South Carolina; exceptional communication skills; strong organizational abilities; ability to work independently; excellent interpersonal skills; advanced legal research and writing capabilities; commitment to professionalism and public service; must be able to perform routine legal functions independently; valid driver’s license with occasional in-state travel.
• Three or more years of experience as a practicing attorney; a minimum of one year of litigation experience; interest or coursework in environmental, land use, coastal, or administrative law.

SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information. The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

• Work that directly protects South Carolina’s coastline, communities, and natural resources.

• Excellent work-life balance and state benefits.

• A chance to build a long-term environmental law career from the ground up.

Note: The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time employees: health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance; 15 days annual leave; 15 days sick leave; 13 paid holidays; paid parental leave; retirement plan options; and remote work options after one year of employment based on position. Enrollment in retirement plans is required for all full-time employees.