Closing Date: 12th October, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:This Assistant Chief Counsel 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, and water law legal professionals. The Assistant Chief Counsel will work under the direction of the General Counsel, will undertake and supervise complex professional legal work relating to state and federal natural resources laws in California, with an emphasis on doing so in the terrestrial (rather than aquatic) environment. For example, this includes work in the areas of the California Endangered Species Act, the Federal Endangered Species Act, the Natural Community Conservation Planning Act, mitigation banking, conservation easements, the Regional Conservation Investment Strategies program, the California Environmental Quality Act, timber, and the public trust doctrine. This work includes undertaking and supervising the delivery of legal counsel to CDFW's management, Habitat and Conservation Planning Branch, Wildlife Branch, and regional habitat conservation staff.
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:
Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR. (https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/home/manualitem/1/2113)
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, Assistant Chief Counsel Exam: CalCareers (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Search/ExamSearchResults.aspx#classid=2508)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33502124&name=CurrentDutyStatement_OGCACC_565-007-5871-006.08.24.26.pdf)
Working Conditions:
Be able to work a full-time schedule that may include working over eight hours per day and weekends when necessary, including the ability to work more than forty hours per week when otherwise required by operational needs in or to effectively represent clients. Occasionally be able to travel significant distances and stay away from the home location for short periods. Work in an enclosed interior or exterior window office in a smoke-free environment. Work may require sitting at a computer terminal while performing research and other duties for a significant time, which may exceed six to eight hours a day. Be able to lift up to 25 pounds of books, legal files, exhibits, or the like.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5871)
Additional Documents
Department Information:
Department of Fish and Wildlife (cdfw) Employees Are Committed to Managing and Protecting California's Diverse Wildlife and The Habitats upon Which They Depend.
California Is One of The Most Biodiverse Places on The Planet. as Such, Cdfw Values Diverse Employees Working Together to Protect Nature for All Californians. Cdfw Is Committed to Fostering an Inclusive Work Environment Where All Backgrounds, Cultures and Personal Experiences Can Thrive and Connect Others to Our Critical Mission.
Join Us and Begin a Meaningful New Career!
Department Website: Https://www.Wildlife.Ca.Gov
Special Requirements:
This Position Requires Active Membership in The California State Bar.
The Selected Candidate May Be Required to Provide a Copy of The License Prior to Being Hired.
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: 10/12/2026
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. Individuals Who Are Eligible for A Training and Development Assignment May Also Be Considered for This Position(s).
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 Cal Career Account at Www.Cal Careers.Ca.Gov. 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:
Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5871)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=532764)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33502124&name=CurrentDutyStatement_OGCACC_565-007-5871-006.08.24.26.pdf)
Department Information:
Department of Fish and Wildlife (cdfw) Employees Are Committed to Managing and Protecting California's Diverse Wildlife and The Habitats upon Which They Depend.
California Is One of The Most Biodiverse Places on The Planet. as Such, Cdfw Values Diverse Employees Working Together to Protect Nature for All Californians. Cdfw Is Committed to Fostering an Inclusive Work Environment Where All Backgrounds, Cultures and Personal Experiences Can Thrive and Connect Others to Our Critical Mission.
Join Us and Begin a Meaningful New Career!
Department Website: Https://www.Wildlife.Ca.Gov
Special Requirements:
This Position Requires Active Membership in The California State Bar.
The Selected Candidate May Be Required to Provide a Copy of The License Prior to Being Hired.
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: 10/12/2026
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. Individuals Who Are Eligible for A Training and Development Assignment May Also Be Considered for This Position(s).
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 Cal Career Account at Www.Cal Careers.Ca.Gov. 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:
You May Submit Your Application and Any Applicable or Required Documents To:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Hrb Mailing Address (po Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, Ca 94244
Hrb Mailing Address (po Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, Ca 94244
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You May Drop Off Your Application and Any Applicable or Required Documents At:
You May Drop Off Your Application and Any Applicable or Required Documents At:
Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento, Ca 95814
08:00 Am - 05:00 Pm
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento, Ca 95814
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:
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:
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 Www.Cal Careers.Ca.Gov. 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 -
- 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.
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:
Special Personal Characteristics: This Position Requires Outstanding Communication Skills and The
Application of Sound Judgment.
Interpersonal Skills: This Position Requires Outstanding Interpersonal Skills in Supervision and Working
With Others as Part of A Team.
Benefits:
Application of Sound Judgment.
Interpersonal Skills: This Position Requires Outstanding Interpersonal Skills in Supervision and Working
With Others as Part of A Team.
Benefits:
Benefit Information Can Be Found on The CalHR (https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx) Website and The CalPERS (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/) Website.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact Is Available to Answer Questions Regarding the Position or Application Process.
Department Website: Https://www.Wildlife.Ca.Gov
The Hiring Unit Contact Is Available to Answer Questions Regarding the Position or Application Process.
Department Website: Https://www.Wildlife.Ca.Gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Shao Moua Cha
(916) 969-6517
(916) 969-6517
