ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), Employment Advocacy and Prosecution Team (EAPT) assists in investigations into employee misconduct, advises on disciplinary decisions, and pursues disciplinary actions on behalf of CDCR. In addition, EAPT litigates requests to file charges with the State Personnel Board (SPB), appeals to the SPB, or whistleblower complaints before the SPB, and defends or prosecutes petitions for writs of administrative mandamus before the superior and appellate courts. EAPT works with highly sensitive and confidential information and requires employees to maintain strict confidentiality.

Under supervision and direction of the EAPT Chief Deputy General Counsel (CDGC) and Assistant CDGC, the Assistant Chief Counsel supervises, directs, and manages the work of EAPT Vertical Advocates, who represent the best interests of CDCR throughout the adverse action process, as well as providing legal support to CDCR on employee discipline matters and matters related to CDCR's internal affairs investigations.

This advertisement is for an Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel position(s) located in Sacramento, Bakersfield, or Rancho Cucamonga.  This position receives a $900 monthly differential pay and is eligible for hybrid telework.
Human Resources Technology System
The California Department of Corrections Rehabilitation (CDCR) Headquarters has implemented a new automated system to streamline the hiring process. The Human Resources Technology System (HRTS) is an intuitive, user-friendly system that provides the applicant access to real-time updates throughout the hiring process.

HRTS will require new candidates to set up an account, which allows them to track their application’s progress. Through their account portal, candidates will also be able to provide any additional information needed in the hiring process, including setting up interviews as needed. After the final filing date, applicants will receive an email from View email address on calcareers.ca.gov or View email address on calcareers.ca.gov (depending on the email provider), with direction on creating and/or accessing their account.

For HRTS communication, this is in reference to Job Requisition (JR) 4196.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email on their applications. Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 4.62% reduction in pay in exchange for eight (8) hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through October 31, 2026. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.

See Essential Functions attached to the Duty Statement.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) active California State Bar Membership License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hire.

• The position(s) require(s) an activie California Driver's License or the ability to obtain transportation to sites throughout the state.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at .

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting prior to appointment.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to .

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/21/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

CDCR Hiring Support - Postal

Attn: CDCR Hiring Support

P.O. Box 942883

Sacramento , CA 94283-0001

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

CDCR Hiring Support - Drop-off

CDCR Hiring Support

9825 Goethe Rd, Application Drop Box

(Drop off not available on weekends and holidays)

Sacramento , CA 95827

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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.
• Other - Cover letter addressed to the General Counsel.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications is required and must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application  . Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications" section below for specific requirement.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, , and the CalPERS website, .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at .

Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at .

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at .

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Elizabeth Campa
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

California Relay Service: View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (TTY), View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Statement of Qualifications

In four pages or less using 12-point font, double-spacing, and one-inch margins, describe your experience and how you meet the first five desirable qualifications. Include your name and page number on each page. State the desirable qualification in numerical order and respond with your answer. Do not provide a single narrative response.