Attorney IV

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Chief Counsel and/or Assistant Chief Counsel, but working directly for the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers’ Compensation, the Attorney IV acts as legal counsel on the most complex and sensitive matters relating to the Division. The Attorney IV exercises broad discretion and acts with great independence in providing legal representation and counsel. The Attorney IV is expected to perform the more complex, novel, difficult and sensitive legal work of the unit, and to have a high level of experience, strong technical lawyering skills, and subject matter expertise in multiple areas of the Division’s responsibility.

The Attorney IV's duties include, but are not limited to: handling the most complex and sensitive rulemaking actions for the Division, including drafting and updating new regulations regarding the permanent disability rating schedule and commutation tables and updating regulations for the online system for selecting Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs); attending and facilitating quarterly meetings regarding QME test administration; updating test questions and specialty questions for QME examination preparation booklets; overseeing appointments for QME candidates; overseeing review of applications for continuing medical evaluation providers; handling complex and sensitive issues pertaining to judicial ethics; working closely to the Chief Judge to provide ethics training to all ALWC judges; working closely with the DWC adjudication unit and Ethics Advisory Committee (EAC); reporting to the legislature annually on the work the EAC has done; performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda and correspondence on the most sensitive and complex issues; providing legal counsel and advice to Division, Department, and Agency staff on issues pertaining to the workers’ compensation system; providing analysis and advice; analyzing and drafting proposed legislation and preparing bill analyses; analyzing requests for determinations and drafting proposed decisions for the Administrative Director's review; representing the Division in proceedings in both state and federal court and administrative bodies throughout the state; and providing legal advice and support on a wide variety of other issues that may arise in the operation of the Division.

The Attorney IV may serve as a practice team lead who helps organize and track assignments of other attorneys, and who uses their expertise to train less experienced attorneys and to support the delivery of high-quality legal services to the Department. Essential functions of this position are to perform competently and with strong technical skills as a senior-level attorney in the specific job duties identified below; to accomplish assigned legal work with minimal supervision and exercising broad discretion, while also taking and following direction from the Chief Counsel, Administrative Director, and Division and Departmental leadership; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, as required for the specific job duties, including by consistently producing thorough and well-written regulations, as well as comprehensive and compelling memoranda, legal briefs, and other written work product; to appear and perform competently and with a high degree of expertise and professionalism in civil or administrative courts or other forums; to communicate in a professional, respectful and productive manner with opposing counsel, clients, stakeholders, colleagues, and the public; to travel as necessary and as assigned; to present material to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner; and to demonstrate good judgment and act with high ethical standards.

To be considered for this 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:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This job is located at: 1515 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94612.

The duties of this position are performed indoors in an office equipped with standard or ergonomic office equipment, as appropriate. The position allows for telework and/or hybrid work in accordance with CalHR’s and the DIR’s telework policy and procedures. The position requires the ability for prolonged sitting and to work at a computer for extended periods of time and to move and transport office items in a safe manner. The incumbent may be required to travel.

Special Requirements

Membership in the State Bar of California.

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:

The Labor Code and regulations governing California workers’ compensation system. Familiarity with conducting legal analysis to ensure relevant issues and information are identified and correlated with applicable law, and to aid in predicting the legal outcome. Proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure. Available research sources to complete legal research and the relative strengths and weaknesses of the sources. Professional ethical rules related to the practice of law and the role of public attorneys. The general principles of jurisprudence. The principles associated with the attorney-client relationship, especially as they apply to organizations and public entities. Proper citation formats to identify relevant authority. Legal, contractual, and/or individual agency requirements regarding information security or confidentiality.

Skills to:

Communicate clearly and effectively, convincingly, and accurately, both orally and in writing, in a professional and respectful manner. Take initiative and resolve issues as well as be proactive in identifying potential legal issues that prevent problems from occurring. Listen to others, facilitate an open exchange of ideas and provide effective communication. Use logic and reason to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Effectively organize and prioritize work. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills are essential, as this position requires supervising and providing substantive feedback to a team of attorneys.

Abilities to:

Read and comprehend legal documents. Exercise sound judgment in decision making. Express facts, ideas, and legal arguments in succinct, organized, and accurate reports, correspondence or other job-related documents. Analyze and respond to legal arguments. Properly identify legal and procedural issues in assigned matters. Work on complex and sensitive cases and matters. Analyze information to detect potential logical, legal and or factual flaws in arguments or assumptions. Maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in the dissemination of information. Work independently while producing high quality work products and meeting deadlines. Independently prepare clear and effective technical, analytical, and persuasive legal documents. Maintain a neutral, unbiased stance when evaluating legal matters and making recommendations. Successfully assist with or complete multiple projects within appropriate time frames while maintaining a high level of work performance. Work collaboratively with others in a team environment. Provide consultation to multiple requestors on legal issues or matters. Identify and apply relevant substantive areas of law that apply to public entities. Represent the Division and its staff and present cases before State and Federal Courts, and administrative agencies or forums. Analyze proposed legislation and regulatory measures and advise on their potential impact on the Division, the workers’ compensation system, and industry stakeholders.

Benefits

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

• 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

• Close to BART

• Child Care

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 Show phone number.

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.