Closing Date: 21st August, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.
The State Water Resources Control Board's Office of Chief Counsel has an opening for an Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel overseeing the State Water Board Water Quality/Administration Branch. The position location is 1001 I Street, 22nd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, in the heart of downtown near light rail stations and other public transportation.
The Office of Chief Counsel provides legal counsel to the Water Boards. The Water Boards are the principal state agencies for the coordination and control of water quality in the State of California. The regional water quality control boards are the primary planning, permitting and oversight agencies under the Clean Water Act and Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act within their respective jurisdictions. The State Water Resources Control Board oversees or implements programs to address water quality, water rights, drinking water, and water-related financial assistance. The Office's practice is varied and interesting. It includes participating in complex administrative adjudications, general representation of the Water Boards, negotiating and preparing complex financial transactions, and assisting in civil litigation involving the Water Boards' decisions.
The Assistant Chief Counsel for the State Water Board Water Quality/Administration Branch manages the work of multiple attorneys, ranging from the Attorney to Attorney V classifications. The position also oversees the Legal Support and Administrative unit providing direction to the Supervisor I who currently supervises four Analysts, an Office Technician, and an Office Assistant. Under the general direction of the chief counsel and in coordination with the other assistant chief counsels, the Assistant Chief Counsel for State Water Board Water Quality/Administration Branch oversees legal aspects of the State Water Resources Control Board's water quality programs in a fast-paced, collegial environment.
Duties:
Plan, direct, and review work performed by legal staff on issues involving the State Water Board's water quality programs. Directly supervise Attorney IIIs, IVs, and Vs involved in the most difficult, complex water quality matters and Attorneys working on similar matters. The incumbent also manages the legal support and administrative functions for the Office of Chief Counsel. In the absence of the Chief Counsel the incumbent may assume the role of the Chief Legal Counsel to the State Water Board and its Executive Staff.
Supervise and manage entry-level, journey-level and senior attorneys who are assigned to the State Water Board's water quality programs. Consult with and advise the Division of Water Quality, the Division of Administrative Services, executive Staff, and State Water Board Members, and supervise attorneys providing consultation and advice, on any and all issues that present themselves to the respective divisions, including, but not limited to, questions relating to proceedings involving: petitions for review of Regional Water Board decisions, state policy for water quality control, water quality control plans adopted by the State Water Board, procedural regulations of the State Water Board, and statewide coordination of issues under the Federal Clean Water Act and state Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act. The work includes related Board matters including the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Administrative Procedure Act (APA), conflicts of interest, open meetings act, and public records issues. In the absence of the assigned attorneys, the Assistant Chief Counsel may perform these duties directly. The Assistant Chief Counsel also assists and works with the Attorney General in litigation matters involving State Water Board water quality matters and oversees the work of the Office undertaken in support of the Attorney General's Office. The Assistant Chief Counsel works with broad discretion and independence with minimal supervision.
Additional Information:
Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.
Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey. (https://forms.office.com/g/eR5w18jw3s)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32999810&name=DSPROPOSED26-220-XXXACC5871-002.pdf)
Working Conditions:
Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.
In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment. Proof of residency may be required.
Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.
In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee's monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.
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:
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California's water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California's water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.
Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/
Special Requirements:
In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:
Must have Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Visit CalHR's website at: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1587 for information on the CalHR list for the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel exam.
The successful applicant must be an active member in The California State Bar and have nine (9) years of legal experience in the practice of law*; one year of which must have been at a level equivalent to an Attorney V or Attorney Supervisor, or three years at a level equivalent to Attorney IV, or four years at a level equivalent to Attorney III.
“Legal experience in the practice of law" is defined as: (1) only that legal experience acquired after admission to any State Bar, or (2) experience as a judicial clerk for a federal court, California's state courts, or any other state's courts, or (3) legal experience acquired while practicing under a provisional license to practice law issued by the State Bar of California's Provisional Licensure Program, to constitute experience in the practice of law. For an individual's judicial clerkship to qualify as “legal experience in the practice of law," the experience must have been gained after receipt of a Juris Doctor or equivalent degree.
Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experi
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=527743)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32999810&name=DSPROPOSED26-220-XXXACC5871-002.pdf)
Department Information:
The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California's water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.
The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California's water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.
Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/
Special Requirements:
In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:
- RPA# 26-220-XXX in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
- Must be active member of State Bar of California.
Must have Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Visit CalHR's website at: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1587 for information on the CalHR list for the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel exam.
The successful applicant must be an active member in The California State Bar and have nine (9) years of legal experience in the practice of law*; one year of which must have been at a level equivalent to an Attorney V or Attorney Supervisor, or three years at a level equivalent to Attorney IV, or four years at a level equivalent to Attorney III.
“Legal experience in the practice of law" is defined as: (1) only that legal experience acquired after admission to any State Bar, or (2) experience as a judicial clerk for a federal court, California's state courts, or any other state's courts, or (3) legal experience acquired while practicing under a provisional license to practice law issued by the State Bar of California's Provisional Licensure Program, to constitute experience in the practice of law. For an individual's judicial clerkship to qualify as “legal experience in the practice of law," the experience must have been gained after receipt of a Juris Doctor or equivalent degree.
Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experi
