Attorney Supervisor

Job Description and Duties

Under general direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel (Deputy General Counsel), the Attorney Supervisor is responsible for supervising, planning, directing, coordinating, and reviewing the work of a subset of the High-Speed Rail Authority’s (Authority) legal staff while performing the most sensitive and complex legal work consistently with favorable results for the Authority. The Attorney Supervisor position provides legal analysis, advice, and representation to all levels of the Authority on a wide range of complex and sensitive legal matters affecting the policies and the administration of the Authority, specifically in areas related to government contracts and procurements and environmental or construction matters.

The Attorney Supervisor must be knowledgeable regarding general legal principles, legal research methods and performing research; legal principles and their application; scope and character of California and federal Constitutional, statutory and common law and rules; rules of professional conduct, and a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. The Attorney Supervisor must be knowledgeable in the operation of the Bagley Keene Opening Meeting Act and the Public Records Act. The Attorney Supervisor will work with outside counsel, including the Office of the Attorney General and private law firms, to ensure complicated legal issues and litigation are effectively managed.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Part-time telework is available for this position for California residents based on the requirements of the position and may be discussed during the interview process. Hiring interviews may be available virtually, using teleconferencing or video conferencing options.

While working on site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled cubicle which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. Incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and video display terminal and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employees may be required to travel outside of their workstation to perform general tasks.

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages, 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all the following items. Applicants who do not follow these requirements may be disqualified from the hiring process.

1. Describe your experience leading or supervising attorneys and your approach to effective, supportive supervision.

2. Describe your experience advising clients on contracting, procurements, and environmental or construction issues. Provide specific examples of these types of legal matters in which you have been involved and explain your role in them, their context, outcome and level of complexity.

Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge that the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own or that does not reflect your personal experiences may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.

For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below.

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:

• Active member in good standing with the California State Bar.

• Experience practicing law in a government setting or advising government employees on California state law and functions.

• Experience advising clients on and/or litigating matters involving construction, land use, environmental, bond, real property, and third-party matters.

• Knowledge of the specific legal issues related to large infrastructure and transportation projects.

• Experience drafting, reviewing, negotiating, and preparing state and standard contracts.

• Ability to draft statutes and evaluate policies, proposed legislation, and regulations affecting the Authority.

• Experience working directly with, and presenting information to, a board, governing body, or executive-level staff.

• Proficiency in using legal research tools like Westlaw to investigate unique and novel issues of law.

• Experience weighing legal, technical, and political risks to develop alternative solutions for complex governmental and managerial problems.

• Ability to reason logically, analyze situations accurately, and diagnose complex data to recommend effective courses of action.

• Experience handling and working with sensitive and confidential documents.

• Experience advising and guiding clients on complex legal issues and procedures and documenting those recommendations.

• Ability to represent the Authority effectively (orally and in writing) at meetings, public hearings, and legal proceedings.

• Strong interpersonal skills to work well in team environments and gain the confidence of internal and external contacts.

• Ability to communicate with a diverse community, including exposure to aggressive clientele or adversarial conditions.

• Ability to prepare correspondence that clearly explains complex legal matters.

• Experience supervising, managing, leading, or evaluating the work of attorneys and administrative personnel.

• Ability to prioritize multiple clients and changing assignments within short deadlines.

• Possess basic computer skills (word processing, internet, email) and a willingness to travel.

Benefits

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options.

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

Application Information

The STD. 678 is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.

If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-523748 and Attorney Supervisor, 311-160-5749-002 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position. Please indicate on the STD 678 your basis of eligibility in the "Explanations" field (i.e. SROA, surplus, reemployment, reinstatement, transfer, or list eligible.)

Surplus/SROA candidates must provide a copy of their surplus/SROA letter with their application. Consideration may be given to applicants on another Department's employment list, provided the criteria are met to transfer the eligibility from the employment list to the Authority's employment list. Training and Development assignments are not being considered at this time.

NOTE: To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you are new to California State service and you do not have list eligibility, you must take the exam for this classification. To gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin.

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 to apply. Please see above “Special Requirements” section for SOQ instructions.