Land Use and Conservation Attorney (DAG through DAG V)

Job Description and Duties

The Land Use and Conservation Section provides the opportunity to work on matters of critical importance to the State. The section’s practice includes enforcing state housing laws; ensuring public access to California’s waterways, mountains, and open space through litigation and client advice; conservation and expansion of state parks and other public lands for recreation and ecological protection; and protecting against wildfire risk. The section's attorneys are experienced in laws pertaining to environmental land use and natural resource regulation (including CEQA), real property, the California Coastal Act, the public trust doctrine, oil and gas development, housing, and administrative procedure. The section represents a variety of agencies including the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Lands Commission, the Delta Stewardship Council, the High-Speed Rail Authority, California's land conservancies, the California Coastal Commission, and the Department of Conservation. Desirable qualifications include excellent legal research and writing skills and experience with all phases of litigation. The successful candidate will litigate all phases of cases in California and federal courts and will render legal advice on an ongoing basis to all clients and to the Attorney General.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office, but some in-office attendance may be required. Travel and additional in-person attendance may be required for court appearances, meetings or other occasional operational needs.

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required for those hired from outside of the Department of Justice.

• Clearly indicate the Job Control Code ( JC-533854) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Application.

• Individuals who are new to State service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at: 

• Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examination: 

• DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: 

• DAG III exam – at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination
• DAG IV exam – at least 6 years of legal experience: 

• You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.
  

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 a strong commitment to public service are encouraged to apply. Candidates should have strong civil litigation experience. Excellent research and writing skills, as well as strong verbal communication skills, are highly desirable. Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent judgment and tact when interacting with client staff, take initiative, and be well-organized and detail-oriented. A background in public land matters, housing law, or environmental law, is highly desirable.

Benefits

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

Additional Application Filing Information

Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date.

If you are mailing your application, as a courtesy we ask that you contact the HR Consultant listed to confirm your application has been received. This is not required, but highly encouraged so we can ensure the timely submission of your application.

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. 
• Other - Writing sample consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief.