Closing Date: 7th May, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
The Police Practices Section (PPS) is seeking experienced and motivated attorneys to join our team dedicated to constitutional policing within the California Department of Justice.

The Attorney General has broad constitutional and statutory oversight relating to local and state law enforcement agencies in California. On behalf of the Attorney General, PPS engages in a broad range of work, including investigations conducted under California Civil Code section 52.3 and Government Code section 11180 et seq.; independent and collaborative reviews of law enforcement agency policies, patterns, and practices; monitoring and enforcement of stipulated judgments and other mandated reforms; developing policy and practice recommendations after a fatal shooting of an unarmed person by a peace officer under Government Code section 12525.3; developing policy and practice recommendations pursuant to Government Code section 12525.3; review and implementation of law enforcement policies including Hate Crimes Policy Oversight pursuant to Penal Code section 13023; and other actions related to the enforcement of state law with respect to California law enforcement agencies.

The attorney hired into the advertised position will work on a wide range of issues and subject matter areas relating to constitutional policing and conditions of confinement, including issues such as use of force and search and seizure; de-escalation; medical and mental health care of incarcerated people; policing or corrections operations, management, and supervision; community engagement; independent oversight of local and state law enforcement agencies; and review of policies and training. Well-qualified candidates will have demonstrated a subject matter expertise in these areas, as well as a commitment to civil rights and 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. The attorney hired into the advertised position will also have significant engagement with other sections and divisions of the Department of Justice, including the Division of Law Enforcement, the Criminal Law Division, the Civil Division, and other sections of the Public Rights Division, as well as state and local law enforcement agencies and oversight bodies.

Assignments in PPS may include: affirmatively planning, organizing, managing, and conducting large-scale investigations and civil litigation, often on cutting edge, novel issues of law and fact; researching complex factual and legal issues on emerging constitutional rights issues relating to police practices and conditions of confinement; engaging with law enforcement agencies and oversight bodies, civil rights organizations, other advocates, city officials, 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 Department of Justice; reviewing and analyzing proposed state legislation with a lens toward constitutional policing; and developing model policies, training, and best practices for state and local law enforcement agencies. The most competitive candidates will have significant experience with systemic impact investigations and/or developing and litigating complex matters in federal and state courts.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=31499700&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 (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 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=514235)
Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=31499700&name=CombinedDutyStatements.pdf)

Department Information:

This position is located in the Division of Public Rights, Police Practices Section, and may be filled in Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, San Diego or Los Angeles.
The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary (Hiring Above Minimum Policy). (https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/1707#:~:text=Per%20Section%205%2C%20employees%20who,@calhr.ca.gov.)
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

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.
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 new 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, 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-514235 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/how-to-apply
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://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1579)
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: 5/7/2026

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 electronic