SENIOR ASSOCIATE COUNSEL - 71263

Executive Service

SENIOR ASSOCIATE COUNSEL

Department of Environment and Conservation

Office of General Counsel

Nashville, TN

Salary: Potential $117,000 - $150,000

Closing Date: 10/06/2025

Attorneys in OGC are offered flexibility to primarily work remotely. The selected candidate will report to their assigned TDEC office one day per week, attend a monthly meeting at the Nashville office, and participate in other in-person meetings as needed. Attending in-person meetings may necessitate travel.

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/job-announcements-/executive-service/00103958_sr_assoc_counsel_ogc_tdec-job-opp_es.pdf

Who we are and what we do:

The Department of Environment and Conservation exists to enhance the quality of life for citizens of Tennessee and to be stewards of our natural environment. Our Department is committed to providing a cleaner, safer environment that goes hand-in-hand with economic prosperity and increased quality of life in Tennessee. We deliver on our mission through managing regulatory programs that maintain standards for air, water and soil quality while providing assistance to businesses and communities in areas ranging from recreation to waste management. We manage the state park system and programs to inventory, interpret and protect Tennessee's rich natural, historical, and archaeological heritage. About the Office of General Counsel: TDEC's Office of General Counsel has over 30 team members who support TDEC's mission through the Talent, Dedication, Engagement, and Character of its staff who provide exceptional services as partners and facilitators to both internal and external clients and stakeholders. OGC staff exhibit: Talent - knowledge, experience and intellectual attainment, creativity and skill in negotiation, investigation, and problem solving. Dedication - hard work and persistence. Engagement - communication and involvement with programs to provide better services. Character - ethical behavior and a high value placed on serving the public and fairness in interactions.

How you make a difference in this role:

TDEC's Office of General Counsel (OGC) has a welcoming and collaborative culture focused on development and fostering success among its staff.

Job Overview:

OGC is seeking a senior associate counsel to add to its growing team of 22 attorneys. This is an exciting opportunity for an attorney looking to join a mission driven team focused on delivering quality work while enjoying an excellent work-life balance. If you love a new challenge each day and want to feel like you are making a difference in Tennessee, this could be the career move for you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide legal advice to, and draft legal opinions for, TDEC regulatory and/or conservation divisions, developing a deep understanding of the client's operations and legal needs, which may include enforcement, permitting, real estate transactions, contracts, public records, open meetings, and historic preservation.
• Handle administrative appeals and work with the Tennessee Attorney General's Office on referred cases.
• Draft and review documents relative to TDEC procurements, grants, land transactions, concessionaire relationships, and marketing.
• Review proposed legislation, draft rules, and draft policies.
• Support boards and commissions attached to TDEC.
• Collaborate with other attorneys within TDEC.
• Handle special projects quickly and efficiently.

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires a Tennessee law license and a minimum of five years of experience as an attorney.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.