Closing Date: 31st July, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA), Employment Advocacy and Prosecution Team (EAPT) assists in investigations into employee misconduct, advises on disciplinary decisions, and pursues disciplinary actions on behalf of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). In addition, EAPT litigates requests to file charges with the State Personnel Board (SPB), appeals to the SPB, or whistleblower complaints before the SPB, and defends or prosecutes petitions for writs of administrative mandamus before the superior and appellate courts. EAPT works with highly sensitive and confidential information and requires employees to maintain strict confidentiality. This position will support the investigations by the Office of Internal Affairs and support the investigation and disciplinary processes for cases arising out of the CDCR institutions and programs throughout California.

Under direction of the Chief Deputy General Counsel (CDGC), Assistant CDGC, or Assistant General Counsel, the EAPT Attorney III (Vertical Advocate) assists in investigations and prosecutes disciplinary actions on behalf of CDCR. The Vertical Advocate represents the best interests of CDCR throughout the disciplinary process. Attorneys in this classification are expected to perform job duties with limited supervision, demonstrate the ability to think critically, and exercise sound judgment in executing job duties. Further, attorneys in this classification are expected to prepare written documents that do not require significant revision and input from supervisory staff.

Individuals with an active State Bar License who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Human Resources Technology System
The California Department of Corrections Rehabilitation (CDCR) Headquarters has implemented a new automated system to streamline the hiring process. The Human Resources Technology System (HRTS) is an intuitive, user-friendly system that provides the applicant access to real-time updates throughout the hiring process.

HRTS will require new candidates to set up an account, which allows them to track their application's progress. Through their account portal, candidates will also be able to provide any additional information needed in the hiring process, including setting up interviews as needed. After the final filing date, applicants will receive an email from DoNotReply@cdcr.ns2cloud.com or DoNotReply@CDCR (depending on the email provider), with direction on creating and/or accessing their account.

For HRTS communication, this is in reference to Job Requisition (JR) 4012.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email on their applications.

This advertisement is for an Attorney III position located out of EAPT offices in Sacramento, Bakersfield, or Rancho Cucamonga. Employees may work at any EAPT office in Sacramento, Bakersfield, or Rancho Cucamonga. The Department will provide a laptop and cell phone.

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 4.62% reduction in pay in exchange for eight (8) hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through October 31, 2026. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.
 
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32357127&name=DutyStatement.pdf)

Working Conditions:
CDCR Office of Legal Affairs offices are located in Sacramento, Bakersfield, and Rancho Cucamonga. At the time of appointment, the successful candidate will be assigned to one of these three offices as their home office. The successful candidate may be required to report to their designated headquarters office in accordance with the current Governor's executive orders.

Hybrid telework schedules may be available based on operational needs and the employee's ability to perform essential functions independently and remotely. All telework arrangements must comply with the guidelines established in the Statewide Telework Policy. Telework authorization is exclusively available to California residents who maintain their primary residence within the state.

On occasion, travel may be necessary to a CDCR institution or location throughout the state for site inspections or interviews, State Personnel Board appearances, and court appearances, among other things. Days of work may include any day of the week, and hours may include non-standard business hours.
  • Hybrid Telework
  • Laptop and cell phone provided
  • Free on-site parking

Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney III (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5795)

Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=521356)
  • Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32357127&name=DutyStatement.pdf)

Department Information:
Vision:
We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission:
To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

Commitment:
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

CDCR and CCHCS strive to collaborate with the community to enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs. Incumbents establish and maintain cooperative working relationships within the department, other governmental agencies, health care partners, and communities.

Special Requirements:
  • The position(s) require(s) a(n) active California State Bar Membership License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hire.
  • The position(s) require(s) an activie California Driver's License or the ability to obtain transportation to sites throughout the state.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. (https://www.naces.org/)

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting pri