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Job Responsibilities

This employee will serve as Assistant General Counsel for DNR with a focus on real estate and natural resources law, contracts, procurement, and grants. They will provide legal support for the Executive Office, all divisions of DNR and affiliated advisory committees/boards.

Job Duties Include

• Assisting General Counsel in providing legal counsel to the Department in matters of state and federal law, administration and legislation, and in area of specialization.
• Specializing in at least one area of the law that directly impacts DNR, specifically real estate, natural resources, environmental, procurement, and contracts law.
• Representing the agency in all forums within specialized area(s).
• Representing the DNR Legal Office at the request of, and as needed by, the General Counsel.
• Completing special projects at the request of General Counsel.
• Representing the Department and its governing authority in civil actions, appellate court actions, and administrative actions in both state and federal forums. After consulting with appropriate Department staff, persuasively presents and advocates the Department's positions on matters in question.
• Managing cases to conclusion and managing time efficiently.
• Assisting in drafting legislation and regulations; when required, presents information to members of the General Assembly, state or federal agencies or constituency representatives.
• Researching legal issues, managing litigation where the Department is represented by outside counsel, including reviewing pleadings, responses, briefs and motions of outside counsel.
• Keeping General Counsel, Director, appropriate Deputy Directors and appropriate Department staff informed of recent changes in federal and state law.
• Preparing and delivering presentations to a variety of organizations on Department issues and initiatives upon request.
• Assisting other attorneys in office including criminal, civil and administrative law at the direction of General Counsel.
• Attending at least the minimum required hours of continuing legal education each year.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and three (3) years of experience as a practicing attorney.

Member of the S.C. Bar, U.S. District Court of South Carolina.

Preferred Qualifications

Five (5) years of experience including civil litigation, Real Estate transactions for governmental agencies, grants, and procurements. Extensive legal experience with and/or knowledge of state government, governmental administrative procedures, contractual law, and specialized knowledge in property law, environmental and natural resources law, procurement law and grants. Eligible to be deputized by the Attorney General to represent the State in all courts. Ability to work some nights and weekends, participate in out-of-state travel, and to independently judge policy and to compare legal positions. Ability to employ considerable diplomacy and tact in meeting and dealing with clients, judges, attorneys, state legislators, federal legislators, and state and federal administrative personnel, as well as the general public. Knowledge of the department's budget and the state financial process.