Description:
Job Description and Duties:We anticipate holding in person interviews on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.
CalPERS is currently seeking an Attorney III / IV in the Pension & Tax Unit.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Advising staff on a variety of difficult and complex legal issues relating to CalPERS program divisions, including, but not limited to, Customer Services and Support, Benefit Services, Financial Office, Pension Contracts and Prefunding Programs, Actuarial Office, Office of Audit Services, Public Affairs, Legislative Affairs, and Strategy, Projects & Data Divisions. Advising clients on matters of difficult and complex governmental law, including Constitutional and statutory interpretation, pension and employee benefit law, federal tax law, administrative law, open meeting law, public records requests, and fiduciary principles.
Researching and writing difficult and complex formal and informal legal opinions for specific program areas. Ensuring opinions are timely, accurate and complete, and presents alternative courses of action and analysis of those alternatives where appropriate, with a recommendation. Conferring with system management, staff, and others to gather necessary background, interpretation, and context of issues and facts presented in opinion requests.
Keeping clients informed of the status of all assignments. Keeping the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel and Associate General Counsel informed on the status of all significant issues. Reviewing and approving critical correspondence and other critical documents. Drafting critical documents and representing the system on a variety of difficult and complex legal issues. Providing informal or oral advice to system management and staff on a variety of program-specific legal issues, as needed. Evaluating difficult and complex state and federal legislation to determine the potential impact on CalPERS, including assisting in the preparation of bill analyses, drafting legislation, and recommending amendments.
Working closely with the Executive Office on Special Projects, such as legal analysis for pension-related and tax issues and high-profile matters.
Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.
Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
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 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 4.62 percent reduction in pay.
This position is eligible for a Hire Above Minimum (HAM) salary. Government Code section 19836 authorizes the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) to allow an exception to provide a rate above the established minimum salary range for selected classifications, as determined by CalHR.
How did you hear about this position? Tell us in this brief survey. (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7VZHJVM)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30496249&name=JC-504719AttorneyIV_IIIDutyStatements.pdf)
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Department Information:
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation's largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we're committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website! (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/about/organization/diversity-equity-inclusion)
To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8_Q79n8jJs)
Special Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website (https://www.naces.org/) to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."
Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR's CalCareers website.
Career Services & Outreach
Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation? The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach (CSO) team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation. To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services Consultations. (https://outlook.office365.com/book/CareerServicesOutreachChat30minutes@CalPERSgov.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled)
Application Instructions:
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: Until Filled
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
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:
- Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
- 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=504719)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30496249&name=JC-504719AttorneyIV_IIIDutyStatements.pdf
Department Information:
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation's largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we're committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.
If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website! (https://www.calpers.ca.gov/page/about/organization/diversity-equity-inclusion)
To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8_Q79n8jJs)
Special Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:
All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website (https://www.naces.org/) to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under "Minimum Requirements."
Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR's CalCareers website.
Career Services & Outreach
Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation? The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach (CSO) team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation. To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services Consultations. (https://outlook.office365.com/book/CareerServicesOutreachChat30minutes@CalPERSgov.onmicrosoft.com/?ismsaljsauthenabled)
Application Instructions:
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: Until Filled
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
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:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Public Employees Retirement System
Postal
Attn: JC-504719/SY
Human Resources Division, Recruitment
P. O. Box 942718
Sacramento, CA 94229-2718
Postal
Attn: JC-504719/SY
Human Resources Division, Recruitment
P. O. Box 942718
Sacramento, CA 94229-2718
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Public Employees Retirement System
Drop-Off
HRSD, SSU JC-504719/SY
400 Q Street, Lincoln Plaza North
1st floor drop box by security desk
Sacramento,
Drop-Off
HRSD, SSU JC-504719/SY
400 Q Street, Lincoln Plaza North
1st floor drop box by security desk
Sacramento,
