Attorney IV

Job Description and Duties

Are you an employment/HR attorney with experience or interest in tort law who cares deeply about the future of science and nature in California? This position will be a member of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's (CDFW) highly collaborative and creative legal office comprised of natural resources, employment, contract, administrative, enforcement, and water law legal professionals. This Attorney IV will take on the challenging legal role as CDFW's primary lead on a variety of the most difficult, complex, and sensitive legal work involving human resources, labor, employment, and tort matters. This attorney will work closely with CDFW management, including the highest-level staff in CDFW’s Administration Division and the Opportunity Office. The position will also collaborate on the most sensitive matters with appointees in the Department, Natural Resources Agency, and other parts of the Governor’s Administration. A more detailed description of the position's duties is set forth in the duty statement.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program:

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This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Link to Attorney IV Exam: CalCareers

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Maintain normal and consistent work hours, averaging 40 hours per week. Work in excess of 40 hours per week is expected, when necessary, to complete assignments in a timely manner. Position may require the Incumbent to sit for long periods of time. Light lifting or reaching may be required, though reasonable accommodation may be provided upon request.

This position will be located in Sacramento. Some overnight travel may be required.

Special Requirements

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

This position requires active membership in the California State Bar.

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:

Demonstrated ability to independently and effectively perform and complete work; set and meet priorities; work with technical experts; and negotiate and handle difficult and sensitive situations with thoughtfulness and tact.

Excellent oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; organizational skills; sound judgment; strong attention to detail; ability to effectively manage competing deadlines; and a collegial and professional attitude.

Benefits

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

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 565-007-5780-014 and RPA Number E-OGC 26-001in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.

It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at . If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.

Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.

This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

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.
• Other - A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.