Closing Date: 31st October, 2024
Description:
A State Government Office, Commissioner's Office, Legal Unit has a full time vacancy for a Drinking Water & Groundwater Attorney.Summary:
Supervise, oversee, support, and coordinate all legal, enforcement and rulemaking objectives and activities for the Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau (DWGW). Research complex and novel legal issues and provides legal advice on determinations of compliance, proposed permitting decisions, and proposed enforcement actions to ensure a timely and appropriate response that is within the scope of the agency's authority and consistent with applicable state and federal laws. Recommends regulatory and statutory amendments to clarify existing legal authority. Develops and conducts staff training to ensure that the application and implementation of statutes and rules is consistent with the applicable rules and statutes.
Your Experience Counts: Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Juris Doctorate degree from a recognized college or university.
Experience: Five years' experience in the active practice of law.
License/Certification: Valid driver's license and/or access to transportation for statewide travel.
Special Qualifications: Must be an active member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and in Good Stranding.
Responsibilities:
Draft new and revises existing rules to ensure that the proposed rules are clear, concise, comprehensive, consistent, and within the scope of the applicable statutory authority. Prepares and files all rulemaking documents in accordance with RSA 541-A, and the Administrative Procedures Act, including assessing the fiscal impact of rules for compliance with Part I, Article 28-a of the NH Constitution. Testifies before the Joint Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules.
Evaluate investigations and activities conducted by the DWGW for legal sufficiency and compliance. Review and assist with the drafting of the appropriate enforcement response consistent with enforcement policies established for the agency.
Consult with, advises, and trains staff on legal matters associated with a multitude of complex legal inquiries, including site access, property rights, permit applicability, delegation of authority, conflict of interest, and the legal interpretation and application of statutes and rules.
Coordinate and respond to requests for public records pursuant to RSA 91-A, Right to Know, to ensure that the DWGWB's response is consistent with state law. Drafts and implements record retention policies for all forms of communication.
Respond to complex legal inquiries from the public, outside legal representatives, and regulated entities regarding permit and rule applicability, statutory interpretation, and procedural matters.
Consult with attorneys in the Environmental Protection Bureau of the New Hampshire Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, on complex matters of law, legal strategies, and statutory interpretation to ensure consistent legal interpretation of court orders, and state and federal statutes and rules.
Provide general support and coordination of legal activities for the DWGWB.
Continually seeks to improve practices to add quality and value in support of the Department's mission while identifying and eliminating unnecessary or redundant actions.
