Attorney III - Air Quality

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

Make a direct impact on South Carolina's air quality.

The Office of General Counsel is seeking a motivated Attorney III to provide legal support to the Air Quality Program within the Office of Environmental Affairs. The role is ideal for an experienced or early-career attorney with an interest in continuing or developing a meaningful career in environmental law.

Under limited supervision of the Chief Counsel for Air/ Water, you will provide legal counsel, analysis, and representation to program staff and agency management. You will work closely with engineers, scientists, permit writers, and policy staff to ensure that the state's air programs operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.

This position offers the chance to gain substantive environmental law experience —litigation, document review, administrative hearings, negotiations, and legal research.

Responsibilities:

Legal Advice & Counsel

• Provide oral and written legal advice to program staff and leadership.
• Review statutes, regulations, policies, and program actions for legal sufficiency.

Representation

• Represent the agency in meetings with the public, regulated community, partners, counsel, and the media.
• Support agency responses to inquiries and public records matters.

Litigation:

• Manage legal matters from inception through appeals before state/federal courts and administrative tribunals.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, and legal correspondence.
• Conduct and respond to discovery; prepare witnesses; present oral arguments; support negotiations and settlement.

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 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.

Location: Columbia, SC

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

• A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least one (1) 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 writing sample will be required via email or at the time of the interview. Please note that some departments within the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Additional Requirements:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws of South Carolina, with the ability to interpret and apply federal and state laws, regulations and judicial decisions
• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to clearly explain complex legal concepts in straightforward, accessible language.
• Strong organizational abilities and a proven capacity to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment and engage professionally with internal staff, courts, opposing counsel, government agencies, and the public.
• Advanced legal research and writing capabilities, including the ability to draft clear, well-reasoned legal opinions and memoranda.
• A demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and public service.
• Must be able to perform routine legal functions independently.
• Valid Driver's license - occasional in state travel will be required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) or more years of experience as a practicing attorney.
• A minimum of one (1) year of litigation experience
• Interest or coursework in environmental or administrative law.

Additional Comments:
SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

Why Join SCDES?

• Mission-driven work that improves public health.
• Opportunities to build deep expertise in environmental and administrative law.
• Predictable schedule and strong work-life balance.

State benefits and retirement.The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)
• Retirement benefit choices*
• State Retirement Plan(SCRS)
• State Optional Retirement Program(State ORP)
• Remote Work: The option of partially remote work is available after successful completion of 1 year of employment with the agency, based on position job functions

Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.