Under general direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney IV serves as Senior Counsel and independently performs the department's most complex, sensitive, and high-risk legal work requiring exceptional legal expertise, strategic judgment, and discretion. The incumbent serves as a senior legal advisor to executive leadership on matters involving significant operational, fiscal, regulatory, employment, litigation, and policy impact. Assignments involve novel legal theories, evolving areas of law, precedent-setting matters, and issues of statewide significance. The Attorney IV serves as lead counsel on major legal matters and provides legal strategy, consultation, mentoring, and subject matter expertise to attorneys, executives, and program leadership.
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 Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about PLP 2025 , visit the California Department of Human Resources ( CalHR ) website.
This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR 249.3
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions Working location: 10601 Bear Hollow Dr, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
Visa Sponsorship: CMD is not an E-Verify employer and does not offer visa sponsorship. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents - Job Application Package Checklist
- Duty Statement
Position Details Job Code #:
JC-523418
Position #(s):
006-098-5780-100
Working Title:
Senior Counsel
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
CA Military Dept.
Work Shift:
8:00am-5:00pm
Work Week:
Monday-Friday
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.
Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors.
Real ID Act: Effective May 31, 2025, and in accordance with the Real ID Act of 2005, access to all military installations will require a REAL ID compliant driver's license or identification card issued by the DMV. Individuals who do not have a REAL ID must present one of the following acceptable alternative documents: a valid U.S. passport, a certified birth certificate, or an active or retired military ID.
For more information about the Real ID Act of 2005, visit Congress.gov For details on how to apply for a REAL ID, visit DMV.ca.gov .
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: 7/27/2026
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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). 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:
Military Department
CA Military Dept.
Attn: State Personnel - Box 27
10601 Bear Hollow Drive
Rancho Cordova , CA 95670-6350
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Military Department
CA Military Dept.
State Personnel - Box 27
10601 Bear Hollow Drive
Rancho Cordova , CA 95670-6350
Drop-off at security check-in.
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.
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:
- Legal knowledge and experience related to California State Contracting, State Personnel, capital outlay, construction and building code, legislative affairs, military operations, and emergency response operations highly desirable.
- Litigation experience and management of litigation matters are highly desirable.
- Knowledge and experience working cases with investigators, administrative judges and arbitrators from various judicial bodies, including, but not limited to, the State Personnel Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, Superior Courts of California, California Courts of Appeal and Federal District and Appellate Courts.
- Experience as an Ethics Advisor.
- Must be able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school desired.
Benefits Headquarters also offers:
- Free gated on-site parking.
- Free on-site gym
- On-site Café, Deli, and Grill
CMD offers a competitive pay schedule and a work-life balance for all its employees. The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee's bargaining unit and conditions of employment. Some benefits include:
- Alternative work schedules
- Flexible work hours
- Remote work options
- Lodging & Camping
- Medical benefits, including health, dental and vision insurance
- Paid holidays and a defined benefit retirement program
- More than four weeks of vacation/sick leave for leaders
- More than three weeks of vacation/sick leave for staff
- Health insurance in retirement
- Employee Assistance Program
Employees from the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) may be eligible to transfer prior service credit to State of California employment through CalPERS.
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.calguard.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Classification & Pay
(916) 845-3791
[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:
Sally Gill
(916) 854-3154
[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 Requirements Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting MQ's with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the MQ's, 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 NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
Examination To obtain list eligibility for the Attorney IV position(s), you must pass the qualifying examination.
