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Job Summary

The Office of General Council is seeking an Attorney III to support the Bureau of Coastal Management, providing legal guidance on permitting, coastal development, conservation, and regulatory compliance. This is a fantastic opportunity for an early-career attorney with experience or with a passion for environmental and coastal resources.

Reporting to the Chief Counsel for Bureau of Costal Management you will provide legal services to Coastal Management staff who oversee coastal permitting, shoreline protection, construction impacts, and resource management. This position involves meaningful legal work from the very beginning—policy research litigation, administrative hearings, legal review, and collaboration with technical experts.

Responsibilities:

Legal Advice & Counsel

Provide legal advice related to coastal permitting, coastal zone management, and associated state/federal requirements.

Review statutes, regulations, policies, and agency actions for legal soundness.

Representation

Represent the agency in meetings with the public, regulated community, partners, counsel, and the media.

Assist in responding to inquiries involving development, shoreline impacts, and environmental decisions.

Litigation

Manage coastal-related litigation and appeals before state/federal courts and administrative tribunals.

Prepare pleadings, motions, briefs, and litigation documents; conduct/answer discovery; prepare witnesses; deliver oral arguments.

Document Preparation & Review

Draft or review legal documents supporting coastal permits and compliance actions.

Ensure documents are 91ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏar, accurate, and consistent with applicable laws.

Legal Research

Conduct complex legal research related to coastal zone management, property rights, environmental statutes, and administrative law.

Support Staff Oversight

Review work of assigned support staff for accuracy and completeness.

Maintain communication on the status of litigation and non-litigation matters.

Location: Charleston or Columbia, SC (Candidate’s Choice)

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

• A juris doctor degree or its equivalent from an accredited law school and at least one (1) of experience as a practicing attorney.

• An active member in good standing with the 91ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏ.

• Completion of the trial experiences required by Rule 403 of the South Carolina Appellate Court Rules.

Institutions of Higher Learning must be recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Applicants indicating college credit or degree(s) on the application are encouraged to upload an unofficial copy of the transcript as an attachment to the application. If selected for an interview, a copy of the college transcript and a writing sample will be required via email or at the time of the interview. Please note that some departments within the agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.

Additional Requirements:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws of South Carolina, with the ability to interpret and apply federal and state laws, regulations and judicial decisions

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to 91ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏarly explain complex legal concepts in straightforward, accessible language.

• Strong organizational abilities and a proven capacity to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment and engage professionally with internal staff, courts, opposing counsel, government agencies, and the public.

• Advanced legal research and writing capabilities, including the ability to draft 91ºÚÁϱ¬ÁÏar, well-reasoned legal opinions and memoranda.

• A demonstrated commitment to professionalism, ethical standards, and public service.

• Must be able to perform routine legal functions independently.

• Valid Driver's license - occasional in state travel will be required

Preferred Qualifications:

• Three (3) or more years of experience as a practicing attorney.

• A minimum of one (1) year of litigation experience

• Interest or coursework in environmental, land use, coastal, or administrative law.

Additional Comments:

SCDES is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The Department will not sponsor H1B visas for this position.

Why Join SCDES?

• Work that directly protects South Carolina’s coastline, communities, and natural resources.

• Excellent work-life balance and state benefits.

• A chance to build a long-term environmental law career from the ground up.

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click here for additional information.

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• Paid parental leave

• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available (S.C. Deferred Compensation)

• Retirement benefit choices*

o State Retirement Plan(SCRS)

o State Optional Retirement Program(State ORP)

• Remote Work: The option of partially remote work is available after successful completion of 1 year of employment with the agency, based on position job functions

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.