Attorney IV

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in a meaningful job and want to work toward building healthy, safe, and economically viable communities? Are you driven by protecting the environment and health of all Californians? Consider a career with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC.) We are located within the California Environmental Protection Agency network of agency partners that are committed to protecting all Californians and the environment. We are looking for a highly motivated and adaptable individual to join our team.

As an Attorney IV you will have the opportunity to:

• Provide legal support and advice related to and in preparation for complex litigation in federal and state courts including cost recovery actions and tort claims
• Evaluate claims and work to avoid litigation by securing cost recovery contributions with potentially responsible parties via pre-litigation settlement agreements or similar
• Support the Attorney General's Office in litigation and in anticipation of litigation, including preparing for pre-trial and trial matters
• Support the Attorney General's Office in defending the department in legal actions and in representing the Department in bankruptcy proceedings
• Represent the department employees subpoenaed for deposition and trial testimony
• Prepare complex enforcement cases for administrative proceedings and for filing in federal and state courts

Desirable Qualifications We Look For:

• Experience as an attorney with federal or state laws affecting or administered by DTSC
• Experience as an attorney with federal or state court litigation
• Experience as an attorney providing compliance or transactional advice similar in substance or circumstance to advice work DTSC attorneys perform
• Experience as an attorney briefing mid- to high-level decision makers
• Experience as an attorney responding to Public Records Act Requests, discovery requests, or other similar document reviews and productions

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

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 here .

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.

Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:

Special Requirements

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

This position has been reposted. If you have previously applied for JC-490438  your application will NOT be considered. Therefore, you must apply to JC-525044 to be considered.

California State Bar

Statement of Qualification (SOQ) Instructions

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for the hiring manager’s review. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified.

The SOQ should be no more than 2-page(s) in length, twelve (12) point Arial font, single spaced, and one (1) inch margins.

Your SOQ should address the following:

1. Describe your experience as an attorney in public or private practice with any California or federal environmental laws affecting or administered by DTSC or by other similar state or federal environmental agencies.

2. Describe your experience serving as an attorney in an advice-giving capacity, such as compliance advice, pre-enforcement or pre-litigation strategic advice, settlement or contract formulation advice and/or similar situations.

3. Describe your litigation experience, including any writs, trial preparation, trial and appellate experience.

4. Describe your experience as a professional, adapting to a new work environment and/or learning new skills and substance (e.g., new area of law), and being self-directed and a self-starter to integrate and be productive.

Benefits

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

Additional Application Instructions

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended . If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed STD. 678 and application package to the mailing address provided above in the “Application Instructions” section. Applications must be postmarked on or before the final filing date.

For mail-in or drop-off applications, please include JC# 525044  and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application.

Pending Budget Approval - DTSC will obtain all necessary approvals prior to extending a job offer. 

Foreign Degrees

Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degree/ transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found DO NOT include any confidential information to your application or supporting documents (i.e., Social Security Number, birthdate, marital status, medical information, examination results, method of eligibility, etc.).

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 -

  A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD.678). Please refer to the "Special Requirements” section above for additional information.