Closing Date: 29th September, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:Under the general direction of the Chief Counsel and/or Assistant Chief Counsel, but working directly for the Administrative Director of the Division of Workers' Compensation, the Attorney IV acts as legal counsel on the most complex and sensitive matters relating to the Division. The Attorney IV exercises broad discretion and acts with great independence in providing legal representation and counsel. The Attorney IV is expected to perform the more complex, novel, difficult and sensitive legal work of the unit, and to have a high level of experience, strong technical lawyering skills, and subject matter expertise in multiple areas of the Division's responsibility.
The Attorney IV's duties include, but are not limited to: handling the most complex and sensitive rulemaking actions for the Division, including drafting and updating new regulations regarding the permanent disability rating schedule and commutation tables and updating regulations for the online system for selecting Qualified Medical Evaluators (QMEs); attending and facilitating quarterly meetings regarding QME test administration; updating test questions and specialty questions for QME examination preparation booklets; overseeing appointments for QME candidates; overseeing review of applications for continuing medical evaluation providers; handling complex and sensitive issues pertaining to judicial ethics; working closely to the Chief Judge to provide ethics training to all ALWC judges; working closely with the DWC adjudication unit and Ethics Advisory Committee (EAC); reporting to the legislature annually on the work the EAC has done; performing legal research and drafting legal memoranda and correspondence on the most sensitive and complex issues; providing legal counsel and advice to Division, Department, and Agency staff on issues pertaining to the workers' compensation system; providing analysis and advice; analyzing and drafting proposed legislation and preparing bill analyses; analyzing requests for determinations and drafting proposed decisions for the Administrative Director's review; representing the Division in proceedings in both state and federal court and administrative bodies throughout the state; and providing legal advice and support on a wide variety of other issues that may arise in the operation of the Division.
The Attorney IV may serve as a practice team lead who helps organize and track assignments of other attorneys, and who uses their expertise to train less experienced attorneys and to support the delivery of high-quality legal services to the Department. Essential functions of this position are to perform competently and with strong technical skills as a senior-level attorney in the specific job duties identified below; to accomplish assigned legal work with minimal supervision and exercising broad discretion, while also taking and following direction from the Chief Counsel, Administrative Director, and Division and Departmental leadership; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, as required for the specific job duties, including by consistently producing thorough and well-written regulations, as well as comprehensive and compelling memoranda, legal briefs, and other written work product; to appear and perform competently and with a high degree of expertise and professionalism in civil or administrative courts or other forums; to communicate in a professional, respectful and productive manner with opposing counsel, clients, stakeholders, colleagues, and the public; to travel as necessary and as assigned; to present material to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner; and to demonstrate good judgment and act with high ethical standards.
This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR 249.3
To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1581
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33433211&name=DIR-HR-006-Duty-Statement-ATTYIV(QMERatings+Ethics).pdf)
Working Conditions:
This job is located at: 1515 Clay St, Oakland, CA 94612.
This position requires in-office attendance in Oakland four days per week.
The duties of this position are performed indoors in an office equipped with standard or ergonomic office equipment, as appropriate. The position allows for telework and/or hybrid work in accordance with CalHR's and the DIR's telework policy and procedures. The position requires the ability for prolonged sitting and to work at a computer for extended periods of time and to move and transport office items in a safe manner. The incumbent may be required to travel.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional Documents
Department Information:
The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers. DIR also publishes materials and holds workshops and seminars to promote healthy employment relations, conducts research to improve its programs, and coordinates with other agencies to target egregious violators of labor laws and tax laws in the underground economy.
Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.
Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.
If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions” section below and ensure the following:
Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
Department Website: https://www.dir.ca.gov/
Special Requirements:
Membership in the State Bar of California.
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: 9/29/2026
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 applica
Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=532175)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33433211&name=DIR-HR-006-Duty-Statement-ATTYIV(QMERatings+Ethics).pdf)
Department Information:
The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) was established in 1927. Its mission is to improve working conditions for California's wage earners and to advance opportunities for profitable employment in California. DIR administers and enforces laws governing wages, workplace safety and health, apprenticeship training programs, and medical care and other benefits for injured workers. DIR also publishes materials and holds workshops and seminars to promote healthy employment relations, conducts research to improve its programs, and coordinates with other agencies to target egregious violators of labor laws and tax laws in the underground economy.
Electronic Submission of Applications preferred. Application Packages maybe submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov/ Applications must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on or before the above final filing date.
Please only submit ONE application. Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.
If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions” section below and ensure the following:
Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
- Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (cert, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on the first page of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.
- Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678. This page is for examination use only.
- Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.
Special Requirements:
Membership in the State Bar of California.
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: 9/29/2026
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 applica
