Senior Counsel

Are you looking for an exciting and fast-paced career?


Join the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and be part of an organization that serves as a leader in emergency management and homeland security through dedicated service to all. We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated individuals to join our team. If you are interested in a challenging opportunity in a high-energy, team-oriented environment, you are encouraged to apply.

Job Summary: Under the general direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel, Legal Services II Division the Attorney III independently performs the most complex and sensitive legal assignments and serves as the expert/lead attorney in the Cal OES Legal Services Division.

The position requires a high level of expertise on the demanding legal issues that affect Cal OES, ability to act with minimal supervision, and consistently exercise independent professional discretion on a diverse variety of problematic and complex legal issues and strategies. The legal advice provided may possibly have significant public safety, policy, and fiscal ramifications outside of the department and state government.

Essential Functions:

• Complex Program Advice and Legal Opinions
• Support to Policy Makers
• Personnel and Administrative Support
  
• Emergency Response and Recovery Support
• Litigation Support
• Compliance

Physical Demands : The senior counsel must be able to negotiate effectively and conduct crucial litigation; work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others; and work effectively under pressure.

This position requires a California State Bar License.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions


Hybrid Telework: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule. Additional in office days may be required based on the business need.

Conflict of Interest (COI): This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code and is required to complete Form 700 within 30 days of appointment. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY III

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-533754


Position #(s):
163-112-5795-002

Working Title:
Senior Counsel


Classification:
ATTORNEY III $10,852.00 - $15,325.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Sacramento County


Telework:
Hybrid


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Department Information The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California.

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is an emergency response, homeland security, and disaster recovery agency and as a result, is a dynamic and exciting place to work in a team-oriented environment. Cal OES provides training to enhance the understanding of emergency and incident management to all employees.

In the event of an emergency, employees may be contacted and requested to report to work in the event of an emergency. This contact may be outside of your normal working hours (evenings/nights, weekends, and holidays). This service may require irregular work hours, work locations other than the official duty location, and may include duties other than those specified in your official position description. Travel requirements in support of emergency operations may be extensive in nature (weeks to months), with little advance notice, and you may be required to relocate to emergency sites.

More information may be found here:


Department Website:


Special Requirements

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

Application Package Requirements
To have your application considered for this job opportunity:

• List the Job Code (JC) and Position Number for this position in the "EXAMINATION(S) OR JOB TITLE(S) FOR WHICH YOU ARE APPLYING" section on the State Application, STD. 678.
• List your most current employment history first in the "EMPLOYMENT HISTORY" section on the STD. 678.
• Provide the "From" and "To" dates with the month, day and year, the "Hours Per Week" that you worked and the Total Worked (Years/Months). You may include overtime hours.
• You must complete the "DUTIES PERFORMED" on the State Application ( do not note "see attached resume" in this section ). Failure to comply and your application is considered incomplete.
• SROA and Surplus are encouraged to apply and must submit a copy of their letter.
• Please note consideration shall be given to work experience gained in a part-time or full-time job, regardless of whether the job was a paid or a volunteer position or was within, or outside of, state service.

If using education to qualify please submit a copy of your transcripts. If selected, official transcripts will be required. Foreign education must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency.

NOTE: Incomplete applications received may not be considered. Resumes are welcomed but do not take the place of the completed State Application STD 678. Applications received via fax or email will NOT be accepted. If you would like confirmation of receipt, please send certified mail.

**A candidate pool may be established for subsequent vacancies.**
**All hires may be subject to a criminal background check.**
**We encourage applicants to apply electronically.**

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 10/29/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).


How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:


Address for Mailing Application Packages


You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:


California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Recruitment
Attn: HR Unit - CH
3650 Schriever Ave


Mather , CA 95655


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:


California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Human Resources
HR Unit - CH
10370 Peter A McCuen Boulevard


Mather , CA 95655
Please drop off at HR Window; Second Floor. This excludes holidays and weekends.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM


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.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.


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:

• Experience in emergency management including planning, preparedness, prevention, response, and recovery.
• Experience with employment and labor law, including but not limited to employee counseling and discipline, reasonable accommodation, workers' compensation, leaves of absence, and workplace investigations.
• Experience conducting administrative hearings, including but not limited to hearings before the State Personnel Board, the Department of Industrial Relations, and the Employment Development Department.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and providing legal advice related to contracts and procurements.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, analyzing, negotiating, and/or editing legal documents including legal opinions, contracts, data sharing agreements, legislation, regulations, and legal notices.
• Experience interpreting and advising on the principles and applications of the California Public Records Act, the California Administrative Procedure Act, the Fair Political Practices Act, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and related regulations and cases interpreting these laws and regulations.
• Experience handling or monitoring litigation.

Benefits Cal OES employees are eligible for a number of benefits and working for us is a great opportunity to join a committed team. Benefits include but are not limited to the following:

• Free Parking
• On-site Gym and Locker room
• Electric Carport
• Excellent CalPERS state pension plan
• 401(k) and 457(b) Plans
• Flexible Schedules
• Generous paid time off
• Health, dental & vision insurance for the employee or the employee's family
• Investment in careers development
• Located near many local eateries, financial institutions, and the Light Rail Station

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website:
Human Resources Contact:
HR Unit - CH
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Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


Examination & Additional Information
To obtain list eligibility please click on the link below:
Attorney III - Exam 1580

Personal Leave Program (PLP) : Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025), which reduces employee pay in exchange for leave credits. The reduction amount and leave credits vary by bargaining unit. Salary range(s) listed do not reflect this temporary reduction.



Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.


It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.