Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Chief Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel serves as a senior leader in the Department of Conservation’s Legal Office, helping to manage a talented team of attorneys and analysts providing legal counsel on some of the Department’s most complex and consequential matters. This position will support a broad and varied portfolio of legal issues with a particular focus on the work of the Department’s Division of Land Resources Protection. This broad portfolio includes:

• Supporting programs that strengthen California’s rural communities through agricultural conservation easements and grant programs;

• Playing a key role in the implementation of programs funded through Proposition 4, the state’s natural resources bond measure;

• Advising on state contracting, ethics issues, administrative adjudication, Public Records Act compliance, and personnel and labor issues;

• Advising on environmental review and permitting; and

• Managing the Legal Office’s work with the Attorney General’s Office on civil litigation.

Experience supporting grant programs, experience supporting projects that require tribal engagement, and expertise in real property law are all desirable qualifications. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and thoughtful leader who exercises excellent judgment, develops people, communicates effectively with attorneys and non-attorneys, and is comfortable navigating novel legal questions where the path forward is not always clear. This is an opportunity for an experienced attorney to combine sophisticated legal work with meaningful leadership and to help advance programs with significant statewide impact.

Please note: This position requires a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Applications submitted without an SOQ or an SOQ that does not answer the items/questions, and/or does not follow formatting instructions will be considered not interested in this position and will be eliminated from the selection process. Resumes and cover letters do not take the  place of the SOQ. Please see the Statement of Qualifications section for more information. 

In accordance with CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary by 4.62% [BU2] in exchange for leave credits. The salary range(s) included on this job advertisement do not reflect this reduction in pay. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue PLP 2025 hours on the first day of each pay period in accordance with their applicable  Bargaining Unit contract .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located in Downtown Sacramento and is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule, with employees required to work in-person at  715 P Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. At least one day of remote work and four days of in-office work per week is the available hybrid telework schedule for this position. Alternative work locations will not be considered.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview but must show proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

Please see attached duty statement for information related to the working conditions for this position.

Special Requirements

• This position is subject to the Department of Conservation’s Conflict of Interest code. Candidates may be precluded from employment with the department if they, or their spouse, hold interests in oil, gas, or geothermal entities.

This position is contingent on budget approval.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally/written)
• Excellent computer skills
• Possess good interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team environment.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple assignments
• Ability to promote a positive working environment and relationship with others.

Benefits

DOC employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision benefits
• Paid sick and vacation
• California State holiday pay
• 401(k) and 457 plans
• Retirement (CalPERS)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Public Transit Subsidy

Additional benefit information can be found on the following websites:

California State Civil Service Employee Benefits information may be obtained by going to the California Department of Human Resources website at  State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary .

Information regarding benefits provided by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found at  .

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Important Information

Do not email or fax your application. Emailed and/or faxed applications will not be accepted.

PLEASE NOTE: All relevant work experience, skills sets, and professional qualifications must be listed on the STD. 678. Applications will be screened based on the information provided on the STD. 678. Failure to include required information on the STD. 678 may result in elimination from the recruitment process. APPLICATIONS WITH "SEE RESUME" OR “SEE ATTACHED” WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

If you are applying for more than one recruitment, a separate State Application (STD. 678) is required for each recruitment for which you would like to be considered.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  All interested candidates must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) to be considered for this position. Your SOQ serves as demonstration of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It must be typed and no more than three pages in length, using Arial 12-point font and normal margins. Your SOQ must respond to the two following prompts:

  1. Describe your experience that prepares you to provide strategic legal advice and counsel for implementation of grant programs funded by a voter enacted bond measure.

  2. Describe your experience leading, supervising, developing, or mentoring a team of legal professionals. Provide specific examples demonstrating your leadership approach.

• Other - COVER LETTER: A cover letter addressing your work experience and your interest in the position is required.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Work experience placement, Work at office, Remote work

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