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    Governor's Office of General Counsel

    Attorney Vacancy

    Governor's Office of General Counsel (Meadville)

    Supervisory Counsel
    Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Chief Counsel

     

    The Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of General Counsel seeks a licensed attorney to work as a Supervisory Counsel in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Office of Chief Counsel’s Northwest Regional Office in Meadville. The position will be classified as either an Attorney 3 Supervisory or Attorney 4 Supervisory, depending on the level of relevant experience possessed by the successful applicant. This position is eligible for a hybrid in-office requirement of three business days per week at the discretion of the General Counsel.

     

    What You'll Do:

    DEP’s Northwest Region is responsible for the Commonwealth’s environmental oversight and administration of both state and federal environmental laws in northwestern Pennsylvania. Attorneys within this office provide counseling and litigation services for DEP’s environmental programs, including Clean Water, Waterway and Wetlands, Safe Drinking Water, Environmental Cleanup, Waste Management, Air Quality, and Oil & Gas.

    The attorneys draft, negotiate, and litigate enforcement actions arising from violations of Pennsylvania’s environmental statutes, review and defend permitting actions, and counsel the regional clients on legal issues pertaining to program implementation. Trial and appellate litigation generally occurs before the PA Environmental Hearing Board and state or federal courts. The work requires close coordination with DEP’s management and technical staff, including geologists, engineers, chemists, and biologists. 

    This supervisory position will be one of two supervisors, each involved in directly supervising 3-4 attorneys of varying experience engaged in the work described above while also managing a similar individual caseload. This supervisor will be responsible for ensuring the work product of the attorneys being supervised is complete and meets the standards of the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the Office of Chief Counsel, and DEP. This supervisor will also be responsible for the training and professional development of the attorneys being supervised, as well as meeting all administrative requirements, such as the approval of leave and travel. In addition, this supervisor may be asked to fill in for the Regional Counsel when the Regional Counsel is unavailable. 

     

    What We’re Looking For:

    The successful candidate for this position will have demonstrated: (1) leadership and the ability to convey constructive input to less experienced professionals; (2) solid legal research, analysis and reasoning capabilities; (3) superior inter-personal and communication skills, especially oral and written advocacy; (4) an ability to identify and resolve complicated and sensitive problems creatively and with professional discretion; and (5) an ability to interact and function effectively within both the greater legal community and a governmental organization. Preferred candidates will have seven or more years in practice, at least three years with OGC, and possess substantial knowledge of environmental law and litigation experience.  Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to foster trust and respect and to create friendly and collaborative internal working relationships with Commonwealth clients, are a must.

     

    Why Join OGC?

    At OGC, you’re not just practicing law—you’re shaping the future of Pennsylvania. We offer a career filled with purpose, opportunities for professional growth, and the chance to make a difference. Here’s what you can expect:

    • Competitive Benefits Package:  Top-tier health care options, retirement plans, and generous paid time off.

    • Work-Life Balance:  Excel in your career while having the time to enjoy your personal life.  

    • Continuous Learning:  A supportive culture that fosters ongoing professional development and advancement.  

    Joining our team means being part of a respected institution dedicated to legal excellence and public service. To learn more about OGC’s mission and what it is like to be part of the OGC team, visit our website and select Careers with OGC  at https://www.ogc.pa.gov. 

     

    Qualifications:

    • Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school. 

    • Active membership in good standing with the Pennsylvania Bar.

    To Apply:

    Interested attorneys should send a cover letter setting forth their interest in this position, a resume, and a writing sample (no more than 10 pages) not later than August 1, 2025, to ogchiring@pa.gov, directed to Derek Riker, Deputy Chief of Staff, 30 North 3rd Street, Suite 200, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101. 

    OGC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.  The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.