CO - P4502 - APA Presiding Officer (Multi-media)

Title: CO - P4502 - APA Presiding Officer (Multi-media)

State Role Title: Hearing and Legal Services Officer III

Hiring Range: $56,250 - $82,500 *

Pay Band: 6

Agency: Dept of Environmental Quality

Location: Dept of Environmental Quality

Agency Website: https://www.deq.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: Agency Employee Only - A

Job Duties

*This position is Quasi Full-Time and requires 30 hours a week. 

This position is open to DEQ employees only.

The Department of Environmental Quality's Office of Enforcement seeks a qualified professional to serve as a presiding officer in enforcement actions brought pursuant to the Administrative Process Act informal fact findings procedures found at Va. Code §2.2-4019 and will recommend findings of fact and conclusions of law to the Agency Director including any penalty as appropriate pursuant to Va. Code §10.1-1182.

The position assists and acts as an agency advocate for Administrative Process Act (APA) enforcement proceedings as needed. May be required to represent the DEQ at formal hearings, as authorized by the Office of Attorney General. When the Agency refers matters to the Office of the Attorney General, the incumbent is expected to assist with the litigation as needed.

This position is responsible for assisting the Director of Enforcement with: (1) developing enforcement procedures; (2) providing enforcement training to the regional offices, especially on legal matters; (3) evaluating/auditing enforcement activities; (4) providing advice/recommendations to permitting/compliance staff as needed, and (5) serving as liaison with OAG, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other government agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

• General knowledge of agency program areas and the related body of laws, regulations, and policies
• Knowledge of regulatory enforcement programs, rules of state and federal civil procedure, APA procedure and other legal processes
• Effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to plan and conduct informal and formal administrative hearings
• Effective time management
• Demonstrated ability to conduct legal research/analysis and make conclusion/recommendations; requires thorough, accurate, and objective analysis and evaluation of facts, evidence, and law in order to make legally sound and defensible recommendations
• Ability to analyze the quality and relevance of evidence; interpret/applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures; negotiate settlements, conducting mediation sessions, advising others on legal issues and training
• Demonstrated ability to interpret local, state, and federal law, case law, and policies affecting DEQ and/or programs statewide 
• Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing with agency management, federal and state officials, attorneys, and the Office of the Attorney General to provide or obtain information, conduct training, and provide assistance

Additional Considerations

• Combination of education or training with major coursework in administrative law, environmental law, civil procedure, evidence, and legal research.
• Significant experience in adversarial administrative proceedings and litigation experience is desirable.
• Significant experience in application of legal principles contributing to the resolution of technical, complex, multi-party disputes is also desirable.
• Experience in environmental enforcement, policy analysis and development, legal analysis, and program assessment is desirable.
• Knowledge of program development and management, and environmental sciences and principles is also helpful.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Please Read Carefully:

The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Excluding current DEQ Employees, selected candidates for employment MUST pass a criminal background check. A valid driver’s license is required of all DEQ employees in order to operate a state-owned or leased vehicle.

The Application Process: Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applications submitted via postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.

DEQ Values Veterans: DEQ is a proud member of the Commonwealth of Virginia Values Veterans (V3) Program, authorized under the Code of Virginia (§2.2-2001.2). We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible for additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard or Reserve. For more information please visit: https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/employeebenefits

Our Commitment: DEQ is an equal opportunity employer by both policy and practice. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive work environment with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information, or against otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. It is DEQ’s intent that its employment and personnel policies and practices conform to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination. DEQ will provide if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of accommodation in order to provide access to the application and/or interview process. If any assistance is needed, please contact DEQ Human Resources Office at 804-698-4000.

Contact Information

Name: Yolanda Powell

Phone: 804-584-7203

Email: HROCommunications@deq.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.