Orange County Coastkeeper and its associated programs, including Inland Empire Waterkeeper, are seeking a legal director to lead the organization’s litigation and legal advocacy program. Coastkeeper’s legal team works to protect water resources to ensure they are swimmable, drinkable, and fishable for present and future generations through advocacy and environmental litigation. The legal director will be responsible for directing all legal advocacy initiatives and litigation – particularly Clean Water Act enforcement. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

• Direct all litigation and environmental enforcement.
• Coordinate litigation with outside counsel, expert consultants, and pro bono attorneys.
• Litigate Clean Water Act citizen suit matters through all stages of litigation, including investigation, discovery, trial, appeal, settlement, and compliance.
• Supervise staff attorneys, legal internship and externship programs, and all pro bono legal work.
• Develop and manage departmental budget.
• Draft comment letters on permits, policies, and regulations related to water quality and water supply issues.
• Represent Coastkeeper organizations at administrative agency hearings.
• Research and write grants to fund environmental advocacy.
• Provide general in-house counsel, including drafting and reviewing contracts, reviewing grant contract compliance, assisting in environmental permitting for in-house restoration projects, and other corporate matters.

Qualifications

• California Bar admission.
• Willing to work in Costa Mesa, CA office in person.
• A commitment to public interest work and a passion for Coastkeeper’s mission.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant legal experience, including 4 years of litigation experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience supervising attorneys.
• Must have substantial experience as lead counsel on litigation matters.
• Demonstrated experience in Clean Water Act litigation, permitting, and compliance.
• Working knowledge of California regulatory agencies.
• Ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others.

Compensation & Benefits

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• Compensation is commensurate with experience and ranges between $115,000 – $135,000 annually.
• Health and dental insurance are provided at no cost to the employee.
• Coastkeeper provides for 11 paid federal holidays, 6 days of paid sick leave annually, and paid time off.

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