Senior Contracts and Grants Attorney

Join the mission-driven team at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as we work to safeguard California's health and environment. As part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), DTSC is dedicated to regulating hazardous waste and overseeing the safe handling, treatment and disposal of toxic substances statewide. In this role, under the direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel you will serve as a lead subject matter expert on complex procurement, contracting and grant administration. You will act as a strategic legal partner to program leadership providing hands‑on counsel from the earliest stages of project planning through contract execution and management. You will navigate novel legal issues and provide consultative guidance to help program staff resolve intricate acquisition challenges ensuring programmatic goals are met within the framework of state laws and policies. As an Attorney IV you will have the opportunity to: Independently perform advanced legal work involving novel theories, emerging areas of law, legal specialization and precedential significance within state contracting and procurement Provide highly specialized legal support and advice to executive leadership, colleagues and program staff regarding the most difficult and complex legal issues that arise in the context of procurement and contracting Provide immediate, real‑time counsel to management and staff regarding contract‑related issues, including analyzing emerging issues during short‑notice meetings, troubleshooting time‑sensitive procurement risks and delivering oral advice on contract interpretation Serve as a subject matter expert providing advanced legal support and advice to executive leadership, colleagues and program staff regarding the complex legal framework of grant development and administration Work with the California Vulnerable Communities Initiative Programs on a broad range of complex legal matters, including but not limited to ensuring statutory compliance and mitigating legal risk Desirable Qualifications We Look For: Experience advising on state or federal contracts and grant administration, including the drafting, review and negotiation of complex procurement agreements Experience acting in a lead capacity over other legal staff, including training, mentoring and conducting substantive review of written work products Experience advising on or advancing equity‑based initiatives, such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Environmental Justice (EJ) and community outreach programs Experience briefing and providing legal counsel to mid‑to‑high level decision makers (e.g., Executive Staff, Program Managers) on sensitive or complex legal matters Experience managing responses to Public Records Act (PRA) requests, civil discovery demands and other large‑scale document reviews and productions Experience liaising with control agencies (e.g., DGS, CalHR), regulatory bodies and internal compliance and risk management departments #J-18808-Ljbffr State of California