Staff Counsel

Job Description and Duties

This is a re-post. If you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply as your application is on file and will be considered.

The Office of the Director, Legal Unit (OD Legal) serves as the general counsel’s office for DIR and provides advice and representation to the DIR Director, department leadership, and division chiefs in the performance of their statutory functions. Under the direction of the Chief Counsel and the Assistant Chief Counsels, Attorney IIIs represents the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations, the Department, and division chiefs and managers in a variety of subject areas within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Department, which are broadly in the labor and employment area.
Responsibilities include, among others, representing the Director of DIR in a special type of workers’ compensation cases involving trust funds administered by the Director (SIBTF, UEBTF and DWD), representing the Department in internal DIR personnel and labor and employment matters, and providing legal advice and representation in public works, prevailing wages, Public Records Act, public contracting, privacy, litigation, and other matters concerning a wide variety of legal issues that may arise in the operation of the Department. Attorney IIIs may also be asked to analyze pending legislation, draft and/or comment on proposed regulations, and serve as primary and/or in-house counsel in civil litigation.

Attorneys in this position work with a high level of independence, while also receiving support and supervision from OD Legal Assistant Chief Counsels and the Chief Counsel. They are required to communicate effectively both orally and in writing as required for the specific job duties, including by drafting legal briefs, memorandums, and correspondence on a regular basis; to appear in workers' compensation administrative proceedings; to appear in other civil and administrative court proceedings, as assigned; to communicate in a professional, respectful and productive manner with opposing counsel, clients, stakeholders, colleagues, and the public.

The ability to travel for a short duration (one to two days) is required for this position.

Multiple locations and positions are available. Please see other postings under a different job control in CalCareers for additional locations and positions. If you are interested in more than one location and/or position, please submit an application for each specific job control.

To apply for this position, please submit:

-- The State standard application form, completed completely and carefully;

-- Resume

-- A cover letter that addresses your work experience and your interest in the position; and

-- A recent legal writing sample of your own work product.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Attorney lll 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 position is located at: 160 Promenade Circle, Suite 330, Sacramento, CA 95834.

The usual business hours are Monday through Friday. Employees in this position are expected to work all hours as necessary to accomplish their assignments. Although they will generally average a 40-hour week, longer work hours may occasionally be required. There is some flexibility as to the specific work schedule, which will be determined after hire in consultation with the Chief Counsel. This position may be eligible for some amount of telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

This position is in the Department of Industrial Relations, Office of the Director, Legal Unit (known as “OD Legal”). Employees in this position work in an office environment, have assigned offices and work at desks, and are required to work extensively on computers as necessary for the drafting of correspondence, briefs and other documents, and for research, email communication, file review, training and other purposes.

Special Requirements

The Attorney III position requires active membership in the California State Bar and at least five years of legal experience in the practice of law following admission to the bar.

NOTE: As part of the application package for this position, you must submit a resume, cover letter, and legal writing sample.

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:

• Strong legal research, analysis and writing skills.
• Strong oral and written communication and advocacy skills.
• Knowledge of state and/or federal civil procedure and experience in civil litigation or administrative law experience.
• Ability to independently organize and manage a high volume of work and perform in potentially stressful situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability and desire to contribute to a collegial office environment.
• Experience with state employment issues, including knowledge of the State Civil Service Act, State Personnel Board rules and procedures, and CalHR policies and procedures.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas of employment law: wage and hour; workplace safety; anti-discrimination/harassment/retaliation; workers’ compensation.
• Familiarity with state contracting principles, including contracts under the oversight of DGS and CDT.

Benefits

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

DIR employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and retirement benefits.

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 View phone number on us.fitly.work.

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 required and must be included.
• Other - Cover Letter
• Other - A recent legal writing sample of your own work product.