Staff Attorney

Job Description and Duties

This is a re-post. If you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply as your application is on file and will be considered.

This position is in the following program areas: Retaliation Complaint Investigation Legal section.

Under direction of the Attorney Supervisor to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, the successful candidate will represent the LCO and act as counsel, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. California often leads the way with First-in-the-Nation measures to protect workers and employers. In this dynamic arena, LCO team personnel are assigned a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiation, legislative and community liaison work, hearings, legal research, legal opinion writing on policy, precedents and appeals. The ideal candidate possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. The ability to travel is required for this position.

***Please ensure application is complete with detailed job descriptions/tasks performed, employment beginning and ending date information, and hours worked per week. Failure to provide this information may disqualify your application.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Attorney job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin: 

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click e to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The recruitment is being conducted to fill 1 vacancy, which may be filled at any of the following locations listed below:

Fresno JC-519129
Salinas JC-519135
Riverside JC-519139
Santa Barbara JC-519144
San Diego JC-519148
Long Beach JC-519151
Santa Ana JC-519156

• May work in high-rise building in downtown locations.

• Must work in office. Workspace is a standard office in a smoke-free environment.

• Incumbent must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time; Incumbent must occasionally move boxes, files and office equipment.

• As needed, an Attorney will also have contact with the general public, California State and outside legal, program, court and agency staff via phone, email, in person, via presentation, video and mail. Such contact may include general, confidential, sensitive, technical and informative materials.

• The Attorney is expected to travel via land and air (including overnight travel out of town) and arrange schedules to perform duties and meet the objectives of the program.

Special Requirements

Active Membership in The California State Bar

Statement of Qualifications :
Type you answer to the following inquiry in 12-point type, Times New Roman font. Have your name and JC number for the position you’re applying to at the top left corner of each page. Your Statement of Qualifications should be no more than two (2) pages and should be submitted with your application and resume. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered.

1. Summarize the reasons for your interest in this position and how your prior experience qualifies you for it.

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:

Candidates with trial experience such as prosecutors and public defenders, and candidates with experience representing employees in Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) or Labor Code enforcement actions are especially encouraged to apply.

• Knowledge of how to conduct legal analysis (e.g., issue-spotting, rule analysis, applying law to facts) to ensure relevant issues and information are identified and correlated with applicable law, and to aid in predicting the legal outcome.

• Knowledge of proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials prepared and reviewed are complete, and free of errors.

• Knowledge of the rules of evidence and their application in depositions, court trials, and administrative hearings.

• Knowledge of pretrial and trial procedures in state and federal courts, as well as experience with administrative and appellate proceedings.

• Skill to listen to others to facilitate an open exchange of ideas and provide for effective communication.

• Skill to effectively organize and conduct cross examination of witnesses at trial or hearing.

• Skill to negotiate case resolutions that maximize results for the client.

• Ability to apply professional ethical rules as they relate to the practice of law and particularly the role of public attorneys.

• Ability to examine witnesses at deposition and at trial on direct examination and cross examination.

• Ability to review and/or finalize work products produced by clients, para- professionals, and/or other attorneys.

• Ability to lay the foundation for documentary evidence and expert witness opinion testimony.

• Ability to prepare and deliver closing arguments which synthesize evidence and applicable law in a compelling narrative.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in the dissemination of information.

• Ability to plan the development of a project, case or matter.

• Ability to present cases before State and Federal Courts, and administrative agencies or forums.

• Ability to remain calm under stressful circumstances.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making.

Benefits

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

Comprehensive health benefits package with medical, dental, and vision options • Sick leave, vacation leave, or annual leave options available • Retirement plan through CalPERS. Other retirement options include 401(k) and/or 457(b) participation through State of California Savings Plus program • Public transportation subsidy and pre-tax parking program options • The personal satisfaction of knowing that you impact the daily lives of wage earners in California.

Attorneys are covered by the Unit 2 Memorandum of Understanding and are represented in bargaining by the California Attorneys, Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers in State Employment (CASE). Attorneys contribute to funding an excellent defined benefit Calpers retirement, social security, and employees may participate additionally in both 401K and 457 deferred compensation plans. While you work hard to provide economic justice for California workers, you secure economic security for your future.

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at View phone number on us.fitly.work.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

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 - Please see Special Requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.