Closing Date: 12th November, 2025
Description:
The Chief Counsel's Office is a full-service legal team that advances the mission of the California Energy Commission (Commission) by providing pragmatic solutions-oriented legal services and counsel to support sound decision-making throughout the organization. Under the general supervision of the Chief Counsel, each Assistant Chief Counsel performs the most complex and sensitive legal work in the office. Each Assistant Chief Counsel is assigned to supervise a unit and subject matter areas within the Chief Counsel's Office as determined by the Chief Counsel. The Assistant Chief Counsel for the Advocacy and Compliance Unit will supervise a unit that is comprised of attorneys who advise Commission staff and Commissioners on permitting proceedings for renewable energy projects under the Opt-in Certification Program. (The Commission is the lead CEQA agency for environmental review and permitting for any clean energy facility that elects to opt into the Commission's jurisdiction under the Opt-In Certification Program.) Attorneys in the Advocacy and Compliance Unit also advise staff on proceedings for the certification of thermal power plants, post-certification amendments, and an exemption process for eligible small power plants (including backup generation for data centers), as well as on compliance and enforcement matters, including for clean energy facilities and thermal power plants licensed by the Commission, appliance energy efficiency standards and building energy efficiency standards. They also coordinate the Commission's analysis of relevant proposed legislation and relevant Public Records Act requests.Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel. The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position.
Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at CEC Recruitment Survey.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions:
The CEC supports a hybrid workplace model with office-based and remote-centered workers. Limited in-person attendance and occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. This position is remote-centered, which means the incumbent works 50 percent or more of their time from an alternate work location.
Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in-state address prior to your start date. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. Occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Special Requirements:
You must include the following if you are applying by mail or in person:
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: 11/12/2025
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 www.CalCareers.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:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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:
Benefits:
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov
- ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Special Requirements:
You must include the following if you are applying by mail or in person:
- How you are eligible (list eligibility, transfer within state service, reinstatement, SROA/surplus, etc.) in the Explanations box on the first page of the STD. 678.
- The Job Control number 496535 and the title of the position you are applying for in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) box on the first page of the STD. 678.
- Request for Personnel Action Number 140-077 in the Explanations box of the STD. 678.
- Your original signature at the bottom of the first page of the STD. 678.
- Include unofficial school transcripts with your application package if the position you are applying for has an educational requirement. You may be required to provide official transcripts if 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: 11/12/2025
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 www.CalCareers.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:
- California Energy Commission
- Personnel Office - Postal
- Attn: RPA 140-077|JC-496535
- 715 P Street, MS-3
- Sacramento, CA 95814
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
- California Energy Commission
- Personnel Office - Postal
- RPA 140-077|JC-496535
- 715 P Street, MS-3
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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.CalCareers.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 - Cover Letter – Include a cover letter of no more than one page in length describing why you are the best candidate for this position.
- Other - Proof of CA Bar Admission (Note: you are eligible to apply for this position prior to taking/passing the CA Bar exam however, you cannot be hired until passing the bar and are sworn in).
- Other - Writing Sample – Include a recent writing sample of 3-10 pages in length containing a brief, memorandum, decision, or pleading for which you were the primary author. You may edit or redact the writing sample to meet the page limit and to remove any privileged or confidential information.
- Statement of Qualifications - See Statement of Qualifications section.
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:
- State environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act and its implementing regulations,
- State energy laws concerning power plant licensing,
- administrative law, including the California Administrative Procedure Act,
- the rules and processes governing the conduct of quasi-adjudicative proceedings,
- demonstrated experience organizing, directing, and coordinating the work of a team of attorneys,
- demonstrated personnel and management skills, and
- active membership in the State Bar of California.
Benefits:
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Personnel Office
(916) 654-4309
personnel.services@energy.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the
Personnel Office
(916) 654-4309
personnel.services@energy.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the
