Closing Date: 15th October, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
Are you looking for a unique opportunity earlier in your legal career to practice at the vanguard of American law? Step into a role where you can help preserve and advance California values of equity, inclusion, and fundamental fairness under law. The Civil Rights Enforcement Section is seeking attorneys who are not just looking for a job, but who wish to join a dynamic and effective team working every day to protect the civil liberties of nearly 40 million people. This is a unique chance for attorneys in the earlier part of their careers (at the DAG and DAG III level) to spend the next one to two years participating in the nation's most sophisticated civil rights practice, handling work that includes litigating cutting edge federalism issues, engaging in systemic equity investigations, and driving policy through legislation, regulatory, and other actions. Some examples of the Section's recent work include challenging national guard deployment; litigating to protect birthright citizenship; challenging the freezing of billions in federal government funds for childcare and family assistance programs;-and challenging the termination, freezing, and conditions placed on federal funding; inspecting and reporting on the conditions of immigration detention facilities; ensuring education equity through investigations and litigation; and filing amicus briefs on crucial federalism issues. Join us and help define what justice looks like in the 21st century.

The Civil Rights Enforcement Section within the Public Rights Division specializes in comprehensive systemic oversight investigations, litigation against the federal government to challenge federal overreach and unconstitutional actions, tackling complex issues relating to racial justice, disability rights, children's rights, and the full spectrum of other civil rights issues. We play a pivotal role in serving as appellate counsel for the California Civil Rights Department and advising numerous other state agencies on matters of state and federal importance. Whether acting in the Attorney General's independent capacity or representing state agencies, CRES is dedicated to dismantling implicit and explicit bias in governmental services and upholding the promise of equal protection for all.

As a Deputy Attorney General in this section you will participate in various roles in large-scale investigations and complex civil litigation in both state and federal courts. Your portfolio will include researching cutting-edge constitutional issues, preparing and supporting high-impact amicus curiae briefs, and providing sensitive, high-profile counsel to the Attorney General, Governor, and other state officers and agencies. Beyond litigation, work may include engaging with civil rights organizations, analyzing proposed state legislation, and developing

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33465657&name=CombinedDutyStatementsforJC.pdf)

Working Conditions:
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on DOJ's current telework policy. While DOJ supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises.

Minimum Requirements:

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Deputy Attorney General (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5730)
Deputy Attorney General III https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5706)
Deputy Attorney General IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5705)

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=532535)
Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33465657&name=CombinedDutyStatementsforJC.pdf)

Department Information:

These positions are located in the Division of Public Rights, Civil Rights Enforcement Section, and may be filled in San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, Fresno, Los Angeles, or San Diego. This JC is in connection with JC-532808. If you are a recent law school graduate and do not yet have a CA Bar license, please apply to JC-532808.
These are 12-month limited term positions, but may be extended to a maximum of 24 months and/or may become permanent based on operational needs.
The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary (Hiring Above Minimum Policy).
The starting salary for each classification will be:

Deputy Attorney General Range A (1-2 years): $8,846
Deputy Attorney General Range B (2-5 years): $9,956
Deputy Attorney General III (5+ years): $12,046
Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313

New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.
Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
For more information about the department, please visit the Attorney General's website at http://www.oag.ca.gov.
If you'd like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov.
Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. (https://oag.ca.gov/dag-recruitment)
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR. (https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113)

Special Requirements:

A fingerprint check will be required.
JC-532535 must be clearly stated in the "Examination or Job Title(s) for which you are Applying" section located on page one of your state application.
Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at https://oag.ca.gov/careers/exams.
Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:

DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/Attorney Examination (https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113)
DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1683)
DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4914)

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: 10/15/2026

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:

Department of Justice
OHR-Nicole Farrah
Attn: Nicole Farrah (JC-532535)
1300 I Street, 7th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your applicati