Closing Date: 14th October, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
The Environmental Justice and Protection Section of the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, is looking for a purpose-driven, highly experienced civil litigation attorney to work on some of the most challenging and cutting-edge issues in the field of environmental law on behalf of the People of the State of California. We are seeking exceptional and motivated candidates for an opening in our section working primarily on plastic pollution enforcement matters, including representing the Attorney General in complex litigation in state court addressing the plastic pollution crisis in California.

The section is seeking experienced civil litigators who are familiar with practicing in California state court and federal court through all phases of a case, including trial. Experience investigating claims, propounding and responding to written discovery, taking and defending percipient and expert witness depositions, and responding to dispositive motions is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have taken cases to a jury verdict and be familiar with the California Code of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

While the focus of this position will primarily be on plastics pollution enforcement, the Environmental Justice and Protection Section handles a broad range of significant environmental matters on behalf of the Attorney General and the State of California. Attorneys in the section practice in an array of state and federal laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act, the Hazardous Waste Control Law, the California Endangered Species Act, Proposition 65, and the Unfair Competition Law, as well as federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Federal Power Act, the federal Endangered Species Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Attorneys in the section use these laws to address existing and future pollution, mitigate the dangers posed by climate change, pursue equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in communities, provide information on exposures to toxic chemicals, and reduce health impacts from environmental and other exposures.

The Environmental Justice and Protection Section utilizes the Attorney General's broad statutory and common law enforcement authority to participate in local, state, and federal agency decision making, and to litigate complex environmental matters through all phases of state and federal courts, representing the Attorney General in his independent capacity. Duties include but are not limited to: conducting difficult environmental investigations on behalf of the Attorney General; close coordination with District Attorney Offices, including joint prosecutions of both civil and criminal environmental cases; and providing legal advice on an ongoing basis to the Attorney General and, as needed, to California state agencies.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33439281&name=CombinedDutyStatements.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 IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5705)
Deputy Attorney General III (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5706)
Deputy Attorney General V (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5701)

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=532199)
Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33439281&name=CombinedDutyStatements.pdf)

Department Information:

This position is located in the Division of Public Rights, Environmental Justice and Protection Section, and may be filled in either San Diego, Oakland, Los Angeles, or Sacramento. Please clearly indicate your preferred city or cities in the 'Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying' section of your State Application.
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. The starting salary for each classification will be:

Deputy Attorney General III (5+ years): $12,046
Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
Deputy Attorney General V (lateral transfers only): $14,051

New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.
For more information about the Department of Justice, 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-532199 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.
DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.
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/how-to-apply.
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 (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)
You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.

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: 10/14/2026

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-532199)
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:

Department of Justice