Assistant City Solicitor or Deputy City Solicitor - Regulatory Law Unit - Environmental Division

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The City of Philadelphia Law Department acts as general counsel for the entire City government structure. We provide legal advice to all City officials, employees, departments, agencies, boards, and commissions concerning any matters related to the exercise of their official powers.

The Law Department's civil practice includes unique issues involving public interest in business, health, safety, commerce, civil rights, taxation, and community development. We employ more than 220 attorneys and 100 professional staff to support seamless operations, reduce legal liability for the City, and challenge threats to quality of life impacting the taxpayers of Philadelphia.

We are an ever-evolving Department where all are empowered to reach their full potential, to collaborate with clients as true partners, and to see their work have real impact on the city of Philadelphia. We celebrate the diversity of our staff, the City’s workforce, and the residents whom we serve and promote an environment of comradery, accountability, and inclusiveness.

The Corporate and Tax Group includes the Commercial Law Unit, Tax & Revenue Unit, Property Assessment Unit, Real Estate & Development Unit, and Regulatory Law Unit. Attorneys in the Environmental Division work on a diverse array of environmental issues for all manner of City clients, from once-in-a-generation redevelopment projects to enforcing minor permit conditions. Attorneys in the Environmental Division are multi-disciplinary practitioners, with competence in litigation, transactions, and regulatory counseling.

The Environmental Division’s primary client, Air Management Services (AMS), and the City’s Air Management Code, predate the Clean Air Act. The City has delegated authority to implement large portions of the federal and state air control programs and also promulgates its own air pollution regulations. The Division counsels AMS in all areas of its air protection mission, including developing innovative regulations, advising on public involvement and environmental justice issues, counseling on permitting, and enforcing air pollution requirements in state court and before local boards. Attorneys in the Division work closely with our counterparts at EPA and PADEP. Attorneys in the Division make a real impact on the environment and public health of the City.

In addition to the Division’s work in air, the Division provides substantial counsel to all City agencies and departments related to brownfield remediation and development, including guidance on Act 2 and TSCA, as well as several Superfund/CERCLA matters. Attorneys in the Division play an integral role in negotiating leases, access agreements, and the evaluation of major real estate development within the City. Attorneys also provide compliance counseling regarding contamination occurring on City properties, including USTs.

Finally, the Division is actively expanding its role to support the City’s ongoing sustainability, climate resiliency, and environmental justice initiatives, including development of environmental justice and public participation policies and strategies.

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Regulatory Law Unit’s Environmental Division is currently seeking a licensed Pennsylvania attorney to fill an Assistant City Solicitor (minimum 1 year of legal experience) or Deputy Assistant City Solicitor position (minimum 5 years of legal experience). Attorneys in the Environmental Division support the Philadelphia Department of Public Health’s Division of Air Management Services via litigation in enforcement actions, provide regulatory counseling on permitting matters, and advise on regulatory initiatives. Attorneys in the Environmental Division also counsel all other City operating departments on remediation issues, including Act 2 and brownfield redevelopment, as well as associated transactional matters, and environmental justice and sustainability. The ideal candidate is comfortable being a muti-disciplinary generalist who can provide litigation, regulatory, and transactional support to multiple clients with diverse needs.

Essential Functions:

In addition to the Position Summary, responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Advising and representing AMS in compliance and enforcement matters
• Advising AMS regarding air emission permits and licenses
• Advising various agencies and departments on Brownfields cleanup and redevelopment matters
• Advising AMS and various other agencies and departments on Environmental Justice issues
• Reviewing, drafting, and negotiating small contracts, grant agreements, access agreements, and certain permits
• Advising on and handling compliance matters under a wide range of local, state, and federal environmental laws regulating municipal functions such as underground tanks and waste disposal
• Tracking and advising on relevant environmental laws and regulations that affect AMS and various City operating departments
• Supporting the Law Department’s other Units on matters that involve environmental law issues
• Assisting with training and mentoring of junior attorneys, as relevant
• Assisting other City Departments on transactional matters as requested

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of environmental laws, administrative law, and municipal law
• Knowledge of regulatory and legislative processes
• Ability to analyze large amounts of information, determine relevant facts, and propose viable solutions
• Ability to manage large volume of matters
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with ability to communicate with clients at various levels with different subject matter expertise, as well as external parties
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills
• Strong legal analytical skills
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and display of cultural competency

Qualifications

• Assistant City Solicitor candidates must have one (1) plus years of relevant experience within a legal setting. This can be an entry level position.
• Deputy City Solicitor candidates should have a minimum of four (4) years of relevant legal experience. Legal experience should include some or most of those described under Essential Functions, experience in litigation or claims is a plus.
• Candidates must have a law degree from an ABA accredited law school and must either be a member in good standing of the Pennsylvania Bar, or eligible to become a member of the Pennsylvania Bar within six (6) months.

Additional Information

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.

Salary Range: Assistant City Solicitor – Up to $81,932
Deputy City Solicitor – Up to $104,099 –Commensurate with education and experience

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 6 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer, City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area, ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses, extending not only to City employees but in some cases, spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that  are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx