Closing Date: 7th May, 2024

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
California state agencies manage our air, water, wildlife, forests and other natural resources, and when those agencies need advice or are in court, they turn to the Natural Resources Law Section for legal representation. We are looking for an intelligent and passionate attorney to join our section to help further our client agencies' missions of protecting and fairly managing our state's natural resources.

You will advise and represent state agencies including the Air Resources Board, the State Water Resources Control Board and the nine regional water quality control boards, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Fish and Game Commission, CAL FIRE and the Board of Forestry, and the Department of Food & Agriculture, among others. Attorneys in the section will typically handle cases involving air pollution, water rights and water supply, water quality, CEQA, endangered species, wildfire cost recovery, as well as business and corporate issues.

The position's duties include representing state agencies in litigation matters from soup to nuts: from providing pre-litigation advice, to every aspect of pre-trial and trial litigation, through the appellate process. You will serve as plaintiff's counsel prosecuting civil environmental enforcement cases, and as defense counsel defending state agency actions. You may also advise some boards and commissions on compliance with open meeting laws and on other issues when asked. Most of your work will be in state and federal courts in California, but some could be in courts in other states as well. Every deputy's case load varies, and attorneys who are mission driven and welcome challenges thrive here.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/P7X675V

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions:
This is a hybrid position under current DOJ telework policy, that is subject to modification. The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office most days, but some in-office attendance could be required. Travel and additional in-person attendance may be required for court appearances, meetings or other occasional operational needs.

Minimum Requirements:

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Deputy Attorney General IV
Deputy Attorney General
Deputy Attorney General III
Deputy Attorney General V

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement

Department Information:

This position is located in the Public Rights Division, Natural Resources Law Section, and will be filled in Los Angeles.
This position is pending budget approval.
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 the new 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-426784 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:

Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: Attorney Examination
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:

Hands-on litigation experience, such as drafting and arguing motions, taking and defending depositions, and conducting bench or jury trials
Ability to write clearly and persuasively
Experience with and/or a demonstrated interest in environmental law or policy
Ability to work independently and in teams
Excellent communication, analytical, organization, and negotiation skills
Being a self-starter with a positive attitude