Description:
Job Description and Duties:Are you interested in joining a dynamic team of attorneys utilizing the authority of the state to advance civil rights, social justice, and racial equity, with a focus on litigation in federal court to defend California values? The Civil Rights Enforcement Section (CRES) is seeking motivated attorneys with experience in the areas of federal litigation, regulation, and operations to join our team working in these critical areas.
CRES handles a broad range of significant civil rights and constitutional matters on behalf of the Attorney General and the State of California. The advertised positions will support CRES' general civil rights work and CRES' increasing workload addressing racial justice, social justice, equity, and implicit and explicit bias in policing and governmental services such as education, child welfare, and voting rights. General topics of work also include the areas of restorative justice, children's justice, hate crimes, disability rights, and the protection of targeted populations; and federalism issues, including drafting comment letters and amicus briefs, and handling litigation in matters relating to executive orders, federal regulations, and constitutional issues. The Section also represents and advises several state agencies, including the California Civil Rights Department, for which CRES serves as appellate counsel. Well-qualified candidates will have demonstrated a commitment to social justice, countering bias, and advancing the rights of Californians through investigation, litigation, or other forms of advocacy, as explained in their statement of qualifications.
Assignments in the Civil Rights Enforcement Section may include: proactively planning, organizing, managing, and conducting civil litigation in state and federal courts, as well as large-scale investigations, often on cutting edge, novel issues of law and fact; researching complex legal issues and authoring amicus curiae briefs on emerging constitutional rights, civil liberties, and federalism issues; engaging with civil rights organizations, other advocates, and members of the public; providing advice on sensitive and high-profile matters to the Attorney General, other high level state officials and agencies, and other sections and divisions of the California Department of Justice (Cal DOJ); reviewing and analyzing proposed state legislation; preparing informational materials for the public; and developing model policies, training, and best practices for state and local agencies. Well-qualified candidates will have demonstrated an ability to work in a focused and dedicated team while maintaining a proactive focus on individual contribution to the overall mission. The most competitive candidates will likely have significant experience with systemic impact investigations and/or developing and litigating complex matters in federal and state courts.
These positions are pending administrative and budget approval.
Click on the following link to complete the California Department of Justice Recruitment Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P7X675V
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.
Additional Documents
Job Application Package Checklist
Department Information:
New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.
Special Requirements:
- Deputy Attorney General IV
- Deputy Attorney General III
- Deputy Attorney General V
Additional Documents
Job Application Package Checklist
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, Los Angeles, or San Diego.
- The hiring unit has established the following cut-off dates for this job control: January 3, January 17, January 31, and every two weeks thereafter. Applications will be reviewed according to the date of submission. If your application is submitted after the most recent cut-off date, it will be applied to the next review period.
- The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. The starting salary for each classification will be:
- Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $11,695
- Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $12,925
- Deputy Attorney General V (lateral only): $13,642
- 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.
- DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.
- 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.
Special Requirements:
- A fingerprint check will be required.
- JC-460192 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. 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 III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination
- DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination
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:
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:
CRES is seeking candidates with all ranges of experience as an attorney in terms of years of practice, professional experience (especially investigations and litigation), and also legislative advocacy, enforcement, and dispute resolution. Because CRES handles matters across a wide variety of subject matter areas, the most competitive candidates will possess a background in any of a variety of general civil rights issues, especially those described above.
Statement of Qualifications
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. Do not submit a cover letter. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate's skills, relevant experience, and ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Considering the Job Description and Duties and the Desirable Qualifications for this position, address the following questions:
Why are you interested in civil rights legal work with the California Department of Justice?
Describe and explain your knowledge of any areas of substantive civil rights law. In your response, include any experience you have that demonstrates the extent, depth, and breadth of your knowledge.
Describe your experience with investigations, litigation, and legislative advocacy and policy, including (if applicable) your progressive responsibilities and experience working on teams.
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. Do not submit a cover letter. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate's skills, relevant experience, and ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Considering the Job Description and Duties and the Desirable Qualifications for this position, address the following questions:
Why are you interested in civil rights legal work with the California Department of Justice?
Describe and explain your knowledge of any areas of substantive civil rights law. In your response, include any experience you have that demonstrates the extent, depth, and breadth of your knowledge.
Describe your experience with investigations, litigation, and legislative advocacy and policy, including (if applicable) your progressive responsibilities and experience working on teams.
Describe your experience managing and/or leading litigation, investigations, and teams.
Provide a written narrative for each question in separate, clearly labeled sections. Your response must be a typed, 2-3 page document, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font.
Provide a written narrative for each question in separate, clearly labeled sections. Your response must be a typed, 2-3 page document, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font.