Closing Date: 2nd February, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
This position can be located in Sacramento or Riverside County.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is a global leader in protecting air quality, fighting climate change, and furthering environmental justice. CARB's Executive Office plans, organizes, and directs the activities of staff to further the Board's mission to protect and preserve California's air quality while considering the effects on the State's economy. The Legal Office is part of the Executive Office. Its mission is to provide the highest quality legal advice and representation to the Board and staff to support programmatic efforts to improve air quality to protect public health and the environment and to ensure that all legal obligations of CARB are met in carrying out these efforts. The Legal Office provides legal support to the agency on a variety of complex topics related to the control of air pollution (criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gases), including, but not limited to: adoption, interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of State and federal environmental and administrative laws and regulations, litigation in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office, personnel matters, contracts, grants, conflicts of interest, hearing procedures, and proposed legislation. The Legal Office maintains the primary responsibility for assisting CARB staff in the development of regulations and the documentation necessary to support their adoption. The Legal Office also provides legal assistance to California's 35 Air Pollution Control and Air Quality Management Districts.

The Legal Office maintains primary responsibility for ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and providing necessary legal support. Under direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel, and under direction of the Deputy Counsel and Chief Counsel, this position is responsible for providing written and oral legal advice to CARB's executives, management, and staff on legal issues, many of them relating to California's climate change program. The attorney in this position will focus on developing, implementing, and enforcing regulations, including regulations related to climate change programs. These assignments may include legal support for the Cap-and-Trade Program, direct control requirements, and related programs.

For further details, please see the Duty Statement.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30464429&name=AttorneyDutyStatement.pdf)

Working Conditions:
This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resource Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position's designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 3 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 3 percent reduction in pay.
  • Position located in a high-rise building.
  • Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
  • Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)
  • Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.

Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)

Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=504367)
  • Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30464429&name=AttorneyDutyStatement.pdf)

Department Information:
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify

CARB values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. CARB believes the diversity of our employees collectively makes up one of the world's most respected environmental organizations. CARB offers various modern interview options, including remote phone and video interviews. Join CARB and help us improve the lives of all Californians.

Department Website: http://www.arb.ca.gov

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: 2/2/2026

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 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:
State Air Resources Board
Monica Walden
Attn: Monica Walden
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
State Air Resources Board
Monica Walden
Monica Walden
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
The drop-off location is non-operational on weekends and holidays.
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 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
  • Other -
  • Materials of a Writing Sample comprising a legal analysis of an issue of not more than 10 pages.

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:

Candidates should have a desire to advance the underlying objectives of CARB to protect and enhance California's air quality, fight climate change, and improve envir