State of California

Labor Relations Counsel III

State of California$130K — $183K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • California State Bar License required
  • 5-7 years of relevant legal experience
  • Strong background in labor and employment law
  • Experience with civil litigation and appellate matters
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

Responsibilities

  • Litigate administrative hearings and civil court cases
  • Argue motions and appeals in superior and appellate courts
  • Conduct workplace investigations and trainings
  • Provide in-house legal counsel on employment issues
  • Draft legal opinions for executives
  • Mentor junior attorneys and support team collaboration

Benefits

  • Continuous learning and professional development opportunities
  • Flexible work-life balance with telework options
  • Comprehensive health and dental insurance
  • Generous paid time off and 11 paid holidays annually
  • Employee wellness programs and assistance services
Full Job Description
**This position is eligible for a Hire-Above-Minimum salary rate.**

We are advertising this position as until filled and will review applications every 15 days with the first cutoff on 8/18.

About this Role

Are you looking to pioneer new case law? Do you want to be the first chair attorney litigating administrative hearings, and arguing writs, motions, and appeals in civil court -- all while maintaining a work-life balance, collaborating with a supportive team of attorneys and assistants?

If so, join the small boutique law firm that is California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Legal Division. You will work on diverse labor and employment duties-including litigating a wide variety of interesting and impactful labor and employment cases, conducting training, performing workplace investigations, providing in-house counsel on employment and personnel matters, and consulting and drafting legal opinions for high level executives on sensitive issues and projects. Unlike many other state departments, CalHR attorneys are authorized to independently represent CalHR and other departments in civil litigation, including both state and federal courts, and appellate courts in labor law matters. Our attorneys regularly argue consequential matters in superior and appellate courts that involve important public policy issues, and which ultimately may result in published decisions and shape the law.

You will enjoy being assigned the majority of your work from the inception of the case and will be the primary attorney working the matter until its resolution. And working alongside approximately 15-20 attorneys, you'll have the support and collaboration of experienced peers, and the ability to mentor more junior attorneys throughout your tenure at CalHR.

How to Apply
Information about applying for a state job can be found here: Three Steps to a State Job . If you're interested in exploring additional job opportunities at CalHR, please reach out to our recruitment team at [email protected] . We'd love to hear from you!
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions
  • Career Development: CalHR provides continuous learning and training opportunities to support personal and professional growth, including two Professional Development Days per fiscal year.
  • Location: CalHR is centrally located near the Ice Blocks in downtown Sacramento, with many dining and shopping options nearby.
  • Work-Life Balance: Work-life balance is fostered through measures like telework and adjustable schedules, allowing personal and professional lives to thrive together.
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity: A work culture that emphasizes a culture of diversity and inclusivity, offering tangible rewards and recognizing the intrinsic value of varied perspectives and collaboration.
  • Generous State Benefits: Comprehensive health and dental insurance, long-term disability insurance, 11 paid holidays per year, paid time off, defined benefit retirement program, commute program, employee wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and medical/dependent care reimbursement accounts.
*This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

Merit Salary Adjustment (MSA): Every 12 months, based on performance, employees may receive a 5% salary increase until they reach the maximum salary for the position.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • ATTORNEY III
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-527115

Position #(s):
363-400-5795-XXX

Working Title:
Labor Relations Counsel III

Classification:
ATTORNEY III $10,852.00 - $15,325.00 L
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:
Multiple

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) oversees a wide range of matters related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment, and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.



Core Values: People Centric, Leadership, Accountability, DEIA, Integrity, and Transparency.



Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA State BAR License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

All interested applicants are required to submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Please provide direct responses to each of the numbered items listed below. Applicants must number and include the full text of the SOQ items in their response. Please include specific examples of your education, training, and/or experience. SOQs should be limited to a maximum of two (2) pages, single-spaced, twelve-point Arial font.

Please describe and give examples of your knowledge of and experience in labor and/or employment law as well as any litigation experience, including administrative litigation. Include any applicable education, volunteer, training, and/or work experience.

Note: Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the selection process. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see our Work4CA guide.

Application Instructions
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: Until Filled
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 Human Resources
Human Resources Office
Attn: Classification & Hiring Unit
1515 S Street, North Building, Suite 500

Sacramento , CA 95811-7258

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Human Resources
Human Resources Office
Classification & Hiring Unit
1810 16th Street

Sacramento , CA 95811-7258

08:00 AM - 05:00 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.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions.
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 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:
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Practical experience in litigation before superior or federal courts, and/or administrative agencies
  • Experience in labor and employment law, and administrative law
  • Knowledge of the law and abilities in legal research and analysis
  • Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment

Benefits CalHR ensures that all state employees, retirees and their dependents have access to competitive, quality and affordable benefits. Please visit our new Benefits website at www.benefits.calhr.ca.gov for more information

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: https://www.calhr.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Jordan Mariner
(916) 909-3748
[email protected]
Hiring Unit Contact:
Sandra Lusich
(916) 909-3706
[email protected]

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:
RA Coordinators
(916) 322-5315
[email protected]
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 Information
Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.
  • Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.
  • U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.
Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

Examination Information
Take the online Attorney III exam to become list eligible for this position.

The Limited Examination and Appointment Pr

About State of California

The State of California is a government entity responsible for providing a variety of services to its residents, including education, healthcare, and public safety. The state was admitted to the Union in 1850 and has since grown to become the most populous state in the United States. California is known for its diverse geography, including beaches, mountains, and deserts. The state government is committed to promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for all Californians.
Learn more about State of California
Size
150 employees
Industry
NASDAQ

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