Closing Date: 20th October, 2025
Description:
Job Description and Duties:The Senior Assistant Attorney General (SAAG) will plan, organize and direct the statewide work of the Opinion Unit of the Department of Justice under the administrative and legal direction of the Chief Deputy Attorney General and the Principal Deputy Solicitor General. This includes continuously evaluating the mission, roles, and functioning of the Unit, proposing desirable changes or improvements, and leading the implementation of any changes.
The Opinion Unit leads and manages the discharge of the Attorney General's responsibilities under Government Code Section 12519 to provide written opinions to designated public officers on questions of law. The Unit may also provide other legal analysis or advice for the Attorney General and the Department and undertake special projects. Formal opinions and other analysis or advice can play a significant role in the development of the law and in the formulation of policy both within and outside the Department. The Opinion Unit also manages the Attorney General's review of quo warranto applications filed by private attorneys pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure Sections 803-810, and generally supervises the litigation that ensues if an application is granted.
The SAAG will serve as a primary legal advisor to the Attorney General and to members of the Legislature, the Governor, the heads of state agencies, district attorneys, county counsel, city attorneys, sheriffs, and the Judicial Council on questions of law submitted by public officials for the Attorney General's consideration. The role will develop and implement policies and programs related to the interpretation of law in response to such inquiries, managing a significant legal function that directly affects the public, various state and other public agencies, the Legislature, and the Governor's Office. The SAAG will also develop and implement policies and procedures for providing legal analysis or advice in other circumstances, as appropriate; for managing the Attorney General's quo warranto functions; and for undertaking special analytical projects. In coordination with other Department offices and personnel, the position is expected to interact and develop relationships with stakeholder groups, statewide and nationally, on behalf of the Attorney General.
Flexible schedules and telecommuting options may be available. The position's location is specified as statewide, so the candidate selected for appointment may be headquartered in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, Fresno, or San Francisco. Regardless of the headquarter location, the candidate will be expected to travel throughout California as required, as well as potentially travel out-of-state.
Please note: this position supervises attorneys and therefore it is required that the selected candidate have active status in the California State Bar.
Please carefully read the following sections to apply for this position:
- Required Application Documents
- Desirable Qualifications
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/7B2829L.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Minimum Requirements:
This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.
Additional Documents
Special Requirements:
A fingerprint check will be required.
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: 10/20/2025
Who May Apply:
Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.
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:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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:
In your SOQ, please address how you possess each Desirable Qualification using specific examples of your education, training, and experience. This will be the only tool used for determining your final score and rank on the eligibility list for this position. Please address and number the Desirable Qualifications in the same order as listed on this bulletin under the Desirable Qualifications section. The SOQ must be typed, single spaced, 12 point font, and no more than 2 pages in length. Applicants who do not follow these requirements may be disqualified from the examination. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of SOQs.
- C. E. A.
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Special Requirements:
A fingerprint check will be required.
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: 10/20/2025
Who May Apply:
Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.
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
- Ashley Jacoby
- Attn: Ashley Jacoby
- OHR/CEA & Exempt Appointments Unit
- 1300 I Street, Suite 720
- Sacramento, CA 95814
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
- Department of Justice
- Ashley Jacoby
- OHR/CEA & Exempt Appointments Unit
- 1300 I Street, Suite 720
- Sacramento, CA 95814
- Attn: Ashley Jacoby, 7th Floor Receptionist
- 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
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.
- Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a narrative discussion regarding how the applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the Desirable Qualifications for the position. In addition, the SOQ serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing.
In your SOQ, please address how you possess each Desirable Qualification using specific examples of your education, training, and experience. This will be the only tool used for determining your final score and rank on the eligibility list for this position. Please address and number the Desirable Qualifications in the same order as listed on this bulletin under the Desirable Qualifications section. The SOQ must be typed, single spaced, 12 point font, and no more than 2 pages in length. Applicants who do not follow these requirements may be disqualified from the examination. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of SOQs.
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.
Examination Qualification Requirements
All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.
Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.
Minimum Qualifications:
CEA examinations are open to all applicants who possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements as described in the examination bulletin. Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in civil service.
General Qualifications:
State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:
All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.
Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.
Minimum Qualifications:
CEA examinations are open to all applicants who possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements as described in the examination bulletin. Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in civil service.
General Qualifications:
State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.
Knowledge and Abilities:
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:
- Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department's or agency's Equal Employment Oppo
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