The California Attorney General’s Bureau of Environmental Justice is seeking a talented, experienced, and dedicated attorney with an interest in high impact, cutting edge, and creative legal work that reduces pollution and improves public health in the most vulnerable communities across California. Our team is committed to public service, and we offer a supportive and collegial work environment. The Bureau of Environmental Justice is located within the Environmental Justice and Protection Section and attorneys in the Bureau typically handle matters exclusively relating to environmental justice.
The Bureau of Environmental Justice handles a broad range of significant environmental matters on behalf of the Attorney General and the State of California that raise equity and environmental justice concerns. Attorneys in the Bureau represent the Attorney General in his independent capacity pursuant to his statutory and common law authority by initiating and conducting environmental investigations, commenting on proposed projects, regulations, and other matters, litigating all phases of cases in state and federal courts, and using all available legal tools to pursue environmental justice and prevent rollbacks of important environmental equity initiatives. Duties include, but are not limited to: conducting complex environmental investigations on behalf of the Attorney General; coordinating and jointly pursuing actions with District Attorney Offices, other Attorney General Offices, state and local agencies, and tribes; and providing legal advice to the Attorney General and his staff on matters related to environmental justice. For a selection of actions taken by the Bureau of Environmental Justice, please see https://oag.ca.gov/environment/justice.
Members of the Bureau enforce a broad variety of state and federal environmental laws, including, but not limited to, the California Environmental Quality Act, the National Environmental Policy Act, the Unfair Competition Law, Proposition 65 (the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act), the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and laws to protect tribal cultural resources. They also initiate and pursue investigations under the Government Code, including issuing and enforcing investigative subpoenas, and litigate common law claims, such as public nuisance. Attorneys in the Bureau use these laws to address existing and future pollution, mitigate the dangers posed by climate change, pursue equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in communities, address exposures to toxic chemicals, and reduce health impacts from environmental and other exposures.
The Environmental Justice and Protection Section’s Bureau of Environmental Justice has an additional active job posting: please see JC-495129 . Candidates who want to be considered for both positions must apply separately for each position
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.