Closing Date: 12th February, 2026
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 a bright, energetic attorney to join our section to help further our client agencies' missions of protecting and fairly managing our state's natural resources.
You will be asked to 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, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, 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, hazardous substances, endangered species, wildfire cost recovery, and timber harvest plans, 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, to appeals in the state and federal courts, including working with our Office of the Solicitor General on matters that reach the U.S. Supreme Court. You will serve as plaintiff's counsel prosecuting civil environmental enforcement cases, and as defense counsel defending state agency actions. We 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.
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.
Additional Documents
Department Information:
Special Requirements:
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: 2/12/2026
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:
- 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:
- These positions are located in the Public Rights Division, Natural Resources Law Section, and may be filled in Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Oakland. Please clearly indicate your preferred city or cities in your cover letter.
- 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.
- 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 (0-24 months): $8,846 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,956
- Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
- Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
- Deputy Attorney General V (Lateral): $14,051
- New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.
- 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.
- Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, 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.
Special Requirements:
- A fingerprint check will be required.
- JC-505118 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 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
- DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of legal experience: DAG/Attorney Examination
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: 2/12/2026
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:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Justice
OHR-Nicole Farrah
Attn: Nicole Farrah (JC-505118)
1300 I Street, 7th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
OHR-Nicole Farrah
Attn: Nicole Farrah (JC-505118)
1300 I Street, 7th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
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:
Department of Justice
OHR-Nicole Farrah
Nicole Farrah (JC-505118)
1300 I Street, 7th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
OHR-Nicole Farrah
Nicole Farrah (JC-505118)
1300 I Street, 7th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
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:
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
- Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
- Resume is required and must be included.
- Other - A cover letter is required and must be submitted.
- Other - Writing sample consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief is required.
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
