Job Description and DutiesThe Health, Education, and Welfare section (HEW) is looking for recently admitted and enthusiastic litigators to join our team! HEW attorneys represent over 30 state agencies that administer the State's educational, health, and welfare programs. Our work safeguards the availability and distribution of vital state benefits and resources, including Medi-Cal, unemployment benefits, CalWorks, In-Home Supportive Services, and public K-12 education. HEW's cases, which routinely involve novel, impactful, and high-profile issues, include actions for declaratory and injunctive relief; writ petitions and civil complaints challenging state laws, regulations, and orders; appeals of agency decisions; and litigation protecting vulnerable segments of our population living in skilled nursing facilities. This is a rare and exciting opportunity for new attorneys to join the HEW team.
HEW values having a team with diverse viewpoints and life experiences because it enhances the quality of our legal work and representation of our numerous client agencies, which include the California Departments of Health Care Services, Public Health, Education, and Social Services among others. If you are looking to commence your career by litigating cases involving interesting, novel, and consequential work defending many of California’s most important policies and programs all while learning from and working with HEW’s team of skilled attorneys, we strongly encourage you to apply.
Duties Include
- Representing state agencies and high-level officials in all phases of civil litigation, from inception through trial and appeal
- Preparing responsive pleadings; drafting written discovery; taking and defending depositions; preparing and arguing summary judgment and other dispositive motions; and representing clients at trial or merits hearing
- Researching and drafting increasingly complex briefing on appeal, with the potential for oral argument before courts of appeal
- Providing advice and counsel to our clients, including detailed case analyses and recommendations
- Interacting and working effectively with colleagues, opposing counsel, clients, the courts, and other interested parties
All applicants must reside in California and be members in good standing of the California State Bar. This is a hybrid position with the opportunity to work remotely or in the office, with two-to-three in-person days required each month. Travel and in-person attendance may be required for trials, court appearances, witness interviews, depositions, and operationally as needed .
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You will find additional information about the job in the
Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III
- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
- DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V
Additional Documents - Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position DetailsJob Code #: JC-445092
Position #(s): 420-140-5730-XXX
Working Title: Health, Education & Welfare Litigation Attorney - May consider DAG III, DAG IV, and DAG V Classification: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
$7,737.00 - $11,676.00
Shall Consider: DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III
$10,536.00 - $14,879.00
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
$11,644.00 - $15,627.00
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V
$12,290.00 - $16,391.00
# of Positions: Multiple
Work Location: United States
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Department Information- This position is located in the Division of Civil Law, Health, Education & Welfare Section, and may be filled in either Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego. Please clearly indicate which city you prefer in your cover letter.
- The hiring unit has established the following cut-off dates for this job control: every Thursday. Applications will be reviewed according to the date of submission. If your application is submitted after the most recent cut-off date, it will be applied to the next review period.
- 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.
- If you would like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov
- For more information about the department please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov .
- Please visit our new webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General .
Special Requirements - A fingerprint check will be required.
- Must be willing and able to work a full-time schedule which may exceed a 40 hour week when operational needs require.
- Deputies must be active members of the California State Bar.
- Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-445092) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your STD 678 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 http://oag.ca.gov/careers/exams .
- Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
- Attorney exam - less than 5 years of experience : Attorney Examination
- 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
Application InstructionsCompleted 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: 9/9/2024
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
Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-445092)
1300 I Street Suite 720
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
Heather Nguyen (JC-445092)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:30 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:
- 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 - Cover letter.
- Other - Writing sample reflecting legal analysis, analytical abilities, and effective writing style, such as a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief.
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 QualificationsIn 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:
- Superior legal research, writing, analytical, and oral advocacy skills
- Strong interest in handling a caseload that requires a full range of litigation skills, including drafting pleadings and motions practice and conducting discovery, including e-discovery
- Desire for trial experience including, witness examination, evidentiary objections, opening statements and closing arguments, deposition skills, and written discovery
- Ability to work independently and in teams efficiently under time pressure, while applying excellent legal and strategic judgment and producing high quality work
- Ability to present coherent, well-researched, and concise arguments before the court, both orally and in writing
- Ability to handle a rigorous caseload under tight deadlines
- Openness to collaboration, including receiving feedback from colleagues, supervisors, and clients on written work product
- Demonstration of a genuine interest in working for the government
A successful candidate will also be well organized, detail-oriented, team-oriented, and have a positive attitude, excellent work ethic, and strong interpersonal skills.
Deputies are public officials who represent the State and the Attorney General. We expect deputies to treat clients, staff, and opposing counsel with the highest levels of respect and professionalism. They must act in the public interest and comply with financial-disclosure and conflict-of-interest laws and regulations, as well as the rules of professional conduct.
BenefitsBenefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact InformationThe Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Human Resources Contact:
Heather Nguyen
(916) 210-6444
Heather.Nguyen@doj.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Application Filing Information Section:Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If you application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date. If you are mailing your application, as a courtesy we ask that you contact the HR Consultant listed to confirm your application has been received. This is not required, but highly encouraged so we can ensure the timely submission of your application.
Equal Opportunity EmployerThe State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.
Closing Date/Time: 9/9/2024