Assistant Attorney General

Job Overview:

Serves as Assistant Attorney General (Environmental and General Law) specifically assigned to the American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA).

The job is located in Pago Pago, American Samoa, a US territory located in the South Pacific Ocean.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Acts as attorney in charge of preparation and presentation of enforcement and defensive cases before administrative tribunals, trial, and appellate courts, and may assist in the development and prosecution of criminal cases. Counsels clients on matters of regulatory and statutory interpretation. Conducts legal reviews of permits and state delegation applications. As assigned, handles matters such as personnel, grants, and contract disputes.
• Researches the legal questions which arise under regulations, statutes, lawsuits, enforcement actions, executive orders and other administrative actions involving major environmental statutes affecting ASEPA's programs, such as the Clean Water Act; Clean Air Act; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act; Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act; Toxic Substances Control Act; Safe Drinking Water Act; Oil Pollution Act; Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act; Ocean Dumping Act.
• Provides ASEPA with general legal advice and policy recommendations concerning assigned matters. Provides legal advice and policy recommendations on enforcement matters. Assists in the preparation of major legal correspondence, notices of violations, administrative orders, and other enforcement documents, and reviews such documents for legal sufficiency and consistency with ASEPA/ASG legal interpretations and policy guidance. Assists in developing the factual basis for enforcement actions, including field sampling, inspections, and other types of compliance activities. Drafts and reviews final ASEPA determinations, proposed and final regulations, notices and other documents to be published in the American Samoa Administrative Code (ASAC).
• Represents ASEPA at conferences and meetings held with other Territory and federal Departments and agencies.

Job Qualifications:

The Assistant Attorney General must have a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school, be a member of State or Territorial Bar Association and two (2) years of working experience in the practice of law, both civil and criminal. Experience in Environmental Law would be preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

The salary is negotiable, adjusted according to experience; two year ASG employment contract.

Travel/Moving costs, subsidized housing, paid annual and sick leave provided by ASEPA.

Application Information:

Please send resume and letters of interest to:

Dr. F.T. Vaiaga'e
Director American Samoa EPA
P.O. Box PPA
Pago Pago, AS 96799

Alternatively, you can send email to: Perise Asalele-Asofo, ASEPA Chief Accountant.

Deadline: February 1, 2006