Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) offers legal advice to CDCR leadership and staff to help ensure CDCR's operations are conducted effectively, and consistent with legal requirements. OLA attorneys anticipate legal issues and offer practical solutions, appropriately resolve legal disputes, and advocate advancing CDCR's mission. Attorneys working for CDCR have the unique opportunity to encounter multiple areas of law, including healthcare, public contracting, accounting services, construction management, facilities planning, class action lawsuits, and provide consultation on policy development, regulatory work, court compliance, risk management, and employee discipline.

Under supervision of an Assistant General Counsel, the Attorney provides legal, technical, and administrative advice on a variety of issues that may involve incarcerated persons, supervised persons, employees, public procurement, contracts, public entities, unions, and members of the public. The incumbent provides legal advice on sensitive legal matters relating to protocols and methodologies designed to assist the CDCR in managing its liability exposure. The Attorney must have the ability to work collaboratively with CDCR internal units and outside agencies, which may include the Department of General Services, the Department of Finance, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), State Compensation Insurance Fund, and the Governor’s Office. The incumbent may be required to represent CDCR before various administrative bodies including the State Personnel Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Public Works Board, and the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, among others. This position requires periodic statewide travel.

This advertisement is for an Attorney position located in Sacramento, CA. Please indicate the position number on your application: 065-400-5778-032.

Human Resources Technology System

CDCR Headquarters has implemented a new automated system to streamline the hiring process. The Human Resources Technology System (HRTS) is an intuitive, user-friendly system that provides applicant access to real-time updates throughout the hiring process. HRTS will require new candidates to set up an account, which allows them to track their application's progress.

Through their account portal, candidates will also be able to provide any additional information needed in the hiring process, including setting up interviews as needed. After the final filing date, applicants will receive an email fromDoNotReply@cdcr.ns2cloud.com or DoNotReply@CDCR (depending on the email provider), with direction on creating and/or accessing their account.

For HRTS communication, this is in reference to Job Requisition (JR) 4191.

CDCR/CCHCS employees are encouraged to use their existing CDCR email address on their application.

Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 4.62% reduction in pay in exchange for eight (8) hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through October 31, 2026. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.

See Essential Functions attached to the Duty Statement.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The Office of Legal Affairs provides a secure access facility with complimentary parking and is situated in Sacramento within the 95827 zip code. At the time of appointment, the successful candidate may be required to report to their headquarters office in accordance with the current Governor's executive orders.

Hybrid telework schedules may be available for employees who can satisfactorily perform their essential work functions independently and remotely in accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy. Telework is only available to California state residents who reside in and remain in the state.

On occasion, travel will be necessary to a CDCR institution or location throughout the state for site inspections or interviews. Days of work may include any day of the week, and hours may include nonstandard business hours.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Active membership in the California State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you should include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at

Candidates new to CDCR/CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CDCR/CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to .

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Desirable Qualifications

In 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:

1. Experience in Correctional Law, Criminal Law, Contract Law, Employment Law, Government Law, or some combination of these; experience of at least one year is optimal
2. Experience in working cooperatively with a variety of individuals and organizations, both internal and external
3. Experience providing legal counsel and advice to a public entity at all staffing and executive levels on general government law issues
4. Demonstrated ability to exercise self-initiative
5. Ability to handle multiple assignments with accuracy and prioritize work to meet short deadlines
6. Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing
7. Superior research and analytical skills and the ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and professionalism in completing work within deadlines while exercising sound legal judgment and a strong attention to detail
8. Ability to work both independently, and as part of a team
9. Willingness to promote an inclusive workplace that empowers employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website,  , and the CalPERS website,  .

Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System can be found on the CalHR Salary and Benefits website at  .

Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at  .

Additional benefit information can be found on the CalHR California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary website at  .

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Essential Functions

• Maintain a regular work schedule during normal business hours at an approved worksite; work at least 40 hours per week, on average; work in excess of 40 hours in one week when necessary to complete a special assignment; and be accessible 40 hours per week or more via Department issued cell phone.
• Ability to be supervised by assigned supervisor or manager.
• Travel to and from worksites, correctional institutions and facilities, government offices, courthouses, and training venues, which may require traversing on uneven ground.
• Travel regularly to all parts of the state and travel occasionally outside the state, to include overnight stays.
• Work inside penal institutions and juvenile detention facilities in the presence of incarcerated individuals, wards, and supervised persons.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in writing and in person.
• Use electronic software and databases to thoroughly and efficiently conduct legal research.
• Handle multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize work, in consultation with the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC), in a fast-paced, high-stress environment.
• Maintain and ensure confidentiality of Departmental information, records, documents, concerns, and issues.
• Perform research and analysis to solve complex legal problems; answer legal questions with clear and logical statements of fact, law, and argument; timely assess and respond to written and verbal communications; provide sound legal advice; exercise rationale and reasonable judgment; and implement effective courses of action in a timely manner.
• Effectively and professionally represent the department in all legal venues, before all legislative bodies, and at all administrative hearings, professional conferences, training seminars, and other meetings.
• Work collaboratively with and assist department staff, administrators, supervisors, investigators, and executives, attorneys, ACCs, Chief Deputy General Counsels, and the General Counsel.
• Transport legal files and other objects, which may weigh up to 50 pounds, to locations inside and outside the regular worksite.
• Adhere to the California Rules of Professional Conduct adopted by the State Bar of California, Board of Trustees and approved by the California Supreme Court.
• Maintain active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

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 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 - A cover letter is required and should describe how you meet desirable qualifications #1-3. 

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Contract work, Work at office, Remote work, Night shift

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