Closing Date: 23rd July, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:Join the mission-driven team at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as we work to safeguard California's health and environment. As part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), DTSC is dedicated to regulating hazardous waste and overseeing the safe handling, treatment and disposal of toxic substances statewide.
In this role, under the direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel you will serve as a lead subject matter expert on complex procurement, contracting and grant administration. You will act as a strategic legal partner to program leadership providing hands-on counsel from the earliest stages of project planning through contract execution and management. You will navigate novel legal issues and provide consultative guidance to help program staff resolve intricate acquisition challenges ensuring programmatic goals are met within the framework of state laws and policies. Join DTSC's Office of Legal Counsel and be a vital contributor to our mission of creating a healthier, safer California.
As an Attorney IV you will have the opportunity to:
- Independently performs advanced legal work involving novel theories, emerging areas of law, legal specialization and precedential significance within state contracting and procurement
- Provide highly specialized legal support and advice to executive leadership, colleagues and program staff regarding the most difficult and complex legal issues that arise in the context of procurement and contracting
- Provide immediate, real-time counsel to management and staff regarding contract-related issues, including analyzing emerging issues during short-notice meetings, troubleshooting time-sensitive procurement risks and delivering oral advice on contract interpretation
- Serve as a subject matter expert providing advanced legal support and advice to executive leadership, colleagues and program staff regarding the complex legal framework of grant development and administration
- Work with the California Vulnerable Communities Initiative Programs on a broad range of complex legal matters, including but not limited to ensuring statutory compliance and mitigating legal risk
- Experience advising on state or federal contracts and grant administration, including the drafting, review and negotiation of complex procurement agreements
- Experience acting in a lead capacity over other legal staff, including training, mentoring and conducting substantive review of written work products
- Experience advising on or advancing equity-based initiatives, such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Environmental Justice (EJ) and community outreach programs
- Experience briefing and providing legal counsel to mid-to-high level decision makers (e.g., Executive Staff, Program Managers) on sensitive or complex legal matters
- Experience managing responses to Public Records Act (PRA) requests, civil discovery demands and other large-scale document reviews and productions
- Experience liaising with control agencies (e.g., DGS, CalHR), regulatory bodies and internal compliance and risk management departments
Working Conditions:
Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.
A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.
Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC's culture:
DTSC - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DgP1u9ZrYfVo&data=05%7C02%7C%7C5cbf9db15bf14055011108dde110958e%7C3f4ffbf4c7604c2abab8c63ef4bd2439%7C0%7C0%7C638914183530848512%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=N7Pg3NaA4iUMmyZWwscuSFxehQC0T%2FGoFtgk%2B2ZXsRs%3D&reserved=0)
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional documents
Department information:
This position is located at dtsc's regional office in berkeley, ca.
The department of toxic substances control (dtsc) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (bd os) within the california environmental protection agency (cal epa).
Our mission: to protect california's people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.
Our vision: all of california is thriving in a healthy environment.
Our core values: dtsc values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect california's people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join dtsc to improve the lives of all californians!
Dtsc recruitment survey:
Click here to complete the dtsc recruitment survey. (https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/04025708b3e44712903a7bbed0a76df2)
Department website: http://www.Dtsc.ca.gov/
Special requirements:
The position(s) require(s) a(n) california state bar license. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired California state bar
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: 7/23/2026
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 cal career account at www.cal careers.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:
Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional documents
- Job application package checklist (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
- Duty statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32523611&name=DSHRC0001220.pdf)
Department information:
This position is located at dtsc's regional office in berkeley, ca.
The department of toxic substances control (dtsc) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (bd os) within the california environmental protection agency (cal epa).
Our mission: to protect california's people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.
Our vision: all of california is thriving in a healthy environment.
Our core values: dtsc values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect california's people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join dtsc to improve the lives of all californians!
Dtsc recruitment survey:
Click here to complete the dtsc recruitment survey. (https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/04025708b3e44712903a7bbed0a76df2)
Department website: http://www.Dtsc.ca.gov/
Special requirements:
The position(s) require(s) a(n) california state bar license. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired California state bar
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: 7/23/2026
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 cal career account at www.cal careers.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 toxic substances control
Headquarters
Attn: talent acquisition 21st fl
P.o. box 806
Sacramento, ca 95812-0806
Headquarters
Attn: talent acquisition 21st fl
P.o. box 806
Sacramento, ca 95812-0806
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 toxic substances control
Cal epa
Talent acquisition 21st fl
1001 i street
Sacramento, ca 95814-2828
Drop-off applications must be received, and date stamped by 5:00 pm on the final filing date.
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Cal epa
Talent acquisition 21st fl
1001 i street
Sacramento, ca 95814-2828
Drop-off applications must be received, and date stamped by 5:00 pm on the final filing date.
08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Required applicat
