SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR, OPT 8L (CHIEF LEGAL COUNSEL)

Position Overview

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) is seeking an experienced Illinois‑licensed attorney with strong knowledge of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and pollution‑control regulations to serve as Chief Legal Counsel. Reporting to the Director, this role provides legal advice on complex issues, ensures Agency compliance, and supports leadership decision‑making.

The Chief Legal Counsel oversees approximately 40 attorneys and support staff in the Division of Legal Counsel, directing attorneys in the Regulatory and Enforcement Units and providing legal support across all Agency bureaus. Key responsibilities include leading rulemaking and enforcement actions, representing the Agency in administrative proceedings, and negotiating intergovernmental and pollution‑control‑related agreements.

 The benefits of working at the IEPA include a 37 ½ hour work week, a generous salary and benefits package (paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave, holidays), pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and insurance eligibility on day one (medical, dental, vision, and life).

We invite all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

Serves as Chief Legal Counsel for the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA);
• Manages state-wide Legal Services for the Agency
• Develops, plans, directs, and coordinates the operations and activities of the Deputy General Counsels
• Develops and recommends policies and procedures covering Division of Legal Counsel activities
• Provides legal advice and guidance in interpreting various environmental laws and regulations
• Serves as a legal advisor to the Director, Deputy Director, and Bureau Chiefs concerning the interpretation and
application of all state and federal environmental laws and regulations and court decisions
• As the Director’s designee, serves as Chairman of the Environmental Protection Trust Commission

Serves as full-line supervisor to subordinate Managers;
• Assigns and reviews work
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
• Counsels staff regarding work performance
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
• Establishes annual goals and objectives
• Approves time off
• Adjusts first level grievances
• Effectively recommends and imposes discipline up to and including discharge
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations
• Determines and recommends staffing needs

Participates in the formulation and implementation of Agency policy;
• Confers with legislative and policy staff regarding interpretation of state environmental laws, Agency rules, and regulations
• Develops, plans, directs, coordinates, and reviews the organization and administration of new and existing programs, operations, and functions concerned with state-wide and out-of-state services rendered and performed by the Division of Legal Counsel
• Convenes meetings and/or confers with the Governor’s Office, Agency officials, Bureau managers, and staff on matters related to program development, policy, and procedural changes

• Consults with and advises subordinate managers in the proper interpretation and application of environmentalstatues and Illinois environmental rules and regulations
• Clarifies and defines legal decisions, interpretation, and opinions.

Participates as member of Agency executive staff;
• Provides analysis, formation, and development or modification of existing legislation to achieve more effective environmental law administration and environmental enforcement.
• Provides legal advice and consultation to the Director, Deputy Director, Chief of Staff, and other Agency management staff in areas affecting legislation, and criminal and civil action.
•Appears before legislative and administrative committees to provide testimony pertaining to proposed amendments to, or new, legislation and regulations.
• Oversees legal response to high-priority media or legislative requests. 

Acts in an advisory capacity to the Attorney General’s Office on matters concerning criminal and civil environmental enforcement;
• Gathers information to substantiate EPA’s standpoint in such cases.
• Monitors cases to ensure the pursuit, prosecution, and expedient conclusion of cases involving litigation proceedings against environmental law violators.
• Serves as Illinois EPA liaison with the Illinois State Police regarding investigations into potential criminal activity.
• Travels statewide with overnight stays.

Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative and managerial experience in a public or business organization and administrative manager experience.
• Requires possession of an Illinois Law License.

Preferred Qualifications

1. At least (4) four years’ experience working with the provisions of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act and Illinois Pollution Control Board’s (Illinois PCB) regulations pertaining to pollution control.
2. At least (4) four years’ experience working with the provisions of federal law and regulations related to pollution control.
3. At least (4) four years’ experience developing rules and representing parties at rulemaking proceedings related to pollution control.
4. At least (4) four years’ experience working with regulatory agencies and outside entities in negotiating administrative rules.
5. At least (4) four years’ experience representing parties in negotiating contracts, control documents, intergovernmental agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
6. At least (4) four years’ experience providing legal counsel on permit appeals.
7. At least (4) four years of supervisory experience with professional staff in an office setting.
8. At least (4) four years’ of experience practicing law in front of administrative bodies and Courts of Law.
9. At least (4) four years’ of experience reviewing and providing legal analyses of proposed legislation.
10. At least (4) four years’ of experience practicing in front of the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires availability to work at various times outside of normal office hours to meet deadlines.
2. Requires a current and valid driver’s license.
3. Requires ability to travel.
4. Requires ability to pass a name based background check.
5. Requires the ability to carry an agency provided cell phone.
6. Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
7. This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
 *The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.