ATTORNEY III

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) offers legal advice to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) leadership and staff to help ensure CDCR's operations are conducted effectively, and consistent with legal requirements. OLA attorneys anticipate legal issues and offer practical solutions, appropriately resolve legal disputes, and advocate to advancing CDCR's mission. Attorneys working for CDCR have the unique opportunity to encounter multiple areas of law, including healthcare, public contracting, accounting services, construction management, facilities planning, class action lawsuits, and provide consultation on policy development, regulatory work, court compliance, risk management, and employee discipline.

Under direction of an Assistant General Counsel, the Attorney III assists with the implementation of litigation prevention strategies designed to mitigate liability risks for the CDCR and its employees. The Attorney III provides legal, technical, and administrative advice on complex and sensitive issues that may involve incarcerated people, supervised people, employees, public procurement, contracts, public entities, unions and members of the public. The incumbent provides legal advice on sensitive legal matters relating to protocols and methodologies designed to assist the Department in managing its liability exposure.

The Attorney III must have the ability to work collaboratively with CDCR internal units and outside agencies, which may include the Department of General Services, the Department of Finance, the Office of the Attorney General, State Compensation Insurance Fund, and the Governor’s Office. The incumbent may be required to represent CDCR before various administrative bodies including the State Personnel Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings, the State Public Works Board, and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, among others.

Individuals with an active State Bar License who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Human Resources Technology System

CDCR Headquarters has implemented a new automated system to streamline the hiring process. The Human Resources Technology System (HRTS) is an intuitive, user-friendly system that provides applicant access to real-time updates throughout the hiring process. HRTS will require new candidates to set up an account, which allows them to track their application's progress .

Through their account portal, candidates will also be able to provide any additional information needed in the hiring process, including setting up interviews as needed. After the final filing date, applicants will receive an email from View email address on us.fitly.work or View email address on us.fitly.work (depending on the email provider), with direction on creating and/or accessing their account.

For HRTS communication, this is in reference to Job Requisition (JR) 4355.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their application.

This advertisement is for an Attorney III position located in Sacramento, CA. Please indicate the position number on your application: 065-400-5795-XXX.

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 4.62% reduction in pay in exchange for eight (8) hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through October 31, 2026. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.

See Essential Functions attached to the Duty Statement.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The Office of Legal Affairs provides a secured access facility with complimentary parking. The incumbent will report to the Office of Legal Affairs in Rancho Cordova- 95827 zip code. The Department will provide a laptop and cell phone.

The position is eligible for hybrid telework, in accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy. Specific telework schedules may be discussed further during the interview process. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

Special Requirements

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

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to .

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

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:

1. Experience providing legal counsel and advice to a public entity at all staffing and executive levels on general government law issues.
2. Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, including the ability to develop and deliver presentations and trainings to executive management, staff, and other stakeholders.
3. Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively and build strong working relationships across a department and with external agencies.
4. Superior research and analytical skills and the ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and professionalism in completing work within deadlines while exercising sound legal judgment and a strong attention to detail.
5. Ability to handle multiple assignments with accuracy and prioritize work to meet short deadlines.
6. Ability to work both independently, and as part of a team.
7. Willingness to promote an inclusive workplace that empowers employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. 

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, , and the CalPERS website, .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at .

Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at .

Statement of Qualifications

In two pages or less, using Arial 12-point font, single spacing, and in a narrative format, provide a statement detailing how your education, training, experience, and skills align with desirable qualifications #1–6 and demonstrates why you are the ideal candidate for this position. Applications received without a Statement of Qualifications following the instructions will be automatically disqualified.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications is required and must be submitted with your Examination/ Employment Application (). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions below will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications. Please refer to the "Statement of Qualifications" section below for specific requirements.