Under the general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent works with broad discretion and independence to perform the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Labor Commissioner's Office (LCO). The incumbent will represent the LCO and act as lead counsel for the Licensing and Registration unit, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. The incumbent is assigned to perform a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiations, and legislative liaison work, hearings, legal research, and legal opinion writing on cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. May serve as a lead to lower level attorney staff. The incumbent possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. This position manages a substantial workload, which may be subject to strict time constraints or involve high-profile cases. The ability to travel is also required for this position.
Please ensure application is complete with detailed job descriptions/tasks performed, employment beginning and ending date information, and hours worked per week. Failure to provide this information may disqualify your application.
This position is in the following program areas: Legal Unit, supporting Licensing and Registration Unit.
This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3
To be considered for this Attorney III job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1580
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions This position is being advertised statewide.
- May work in high-rise building in downtown locations.
- Must work in office. Workspace is a standard office in a smoke-free environment.
- Incumbent must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
- Incumbent must occasionally move boxes, files and office equipment.
- As needed, an Attorney will also have contact with the general public, California State and outside legal, program, court and agency staff via phone, email, in person, via presentation, video and mail. Such contact may include general, confidential, sensitive, technical and informative materials.
- The incumbent is expected to travel via land and air (including overnight travel out of town) and arrange schedules to perform duties and meet the objectives of the program.
The selected candidate will choose which office to work at from the list below.
- 7718 Meany Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93308
- El Centro, CA
- 770 E. Shaw Avenue, Fresno, CA 93710
- 3021 Reynolds Ranch Parkway, Lodi, CA 95240
- 1500 Hughes Way, Long Beach, CA 90810
- 320 W. Fourth Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
- 1515 Clay Street, Oakland, CA 94612
- 1901 North Rice Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93030-7912
- Redding, CA
- 3737 Main St, Riverside, CA 92501
- 2031 Howe Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95825
- 950 E. Blanco Rd., Salinas, CA 93901
- 464 W. Fourth Street, San Bernardino, CA 92401
- 7575 Metropolitan Dr., San Diego, CA 92108
- 455 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102-7002
- 224 Airport Parkway, San Jose, CA 95110-1022
- 2 MacArthur Place, Santa Ana, CA 92707
- 50 D Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- 6150 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401
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-538234
Position #(s):
400-000-5795-XXX
Working Title:
Staff Attorney
Classification:
ATTORNEY III $10,852.00 - $15,325.00 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:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Special Requirements Must have active membership to California State Bar.
Type answers to the following inquiries in 12 point type, Times New Roman font. Each answer should be on a separate page and have your name and position number at the top left corner. If your answer to an inquiry is "none," please so indicate. Your Statement of Qualifications should be no more than five (5) pages and should be submitted with your application and resume. Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered.
1. Identify up to three (3) matters in which you have served as trial counsel in a court trial (civil or criminal) or administrative hearing. Please format your response as follows:
Case Name/No. Court name/location/dept. Judge/Hearing Officer Dates Case Issues
____________ __________________ _______ ___________
2. Identify up to three (3) matters in which you have served as appellate counsel in the California Court of Appeal or in a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Please format your response as follows:
Case Name/No. Court name Date of decision Cite (if any) Case Issues
________________ ______________ ________________ __________ ____________
3. Describe how your experience prepares you for this position as a trial attorney doing labor law enforcement for the Labor Commissioner's Office.
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: 11/27/2026
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:
Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Mailing Address Sacramento
Attn: Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Industrial Relations
Cert Drop Off Address Sacramento
Human Resources/Certs Unit
1416 9th Street, 13th Floor
Sacramento , CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:00 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 - Please see Special requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.
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:
Candidates with significant trial experience, including prosecutors and public defenders, are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates with experience representing employees in Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) and Labor Code enforcement actions are also encouraged to apply.
- Knowledge of how to conduct legal analysis (e.g., issue-spotting, rule analysis, applying law to facts) to ensure relevant issues and information are identified and correlated with applicable law, and to aid in predicting the legal outcome.
- Knowledge of proper spelling, grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure to ensure that written materials prepared and reviewed are complete, and free of errors.
- Knowledge of the rules of evidence and their application in depositions, court trials, and administrative hearings.
- Knowledge of pretrial and trial procedures in state and federal courts.
- Skilled at listening to others to facilitate an open exchange of ideas and provide for effective communication.
- Skilled at effectively organizing and conducting direct and cross examination of witnesses at trial or hearing.
- Skilled at negotiating case resolutions that maximize results for the client.
- Skilled at formulating persuasive legal arguments and presentation of evidence to the bench, juries, arbitrators, mediators, and opposing counsel.
- Ability to apply professional ethical rules as they relate to the practice of law and particularly the role of public attorneys.
- Ability to examine witnesses at deposition and at trial on direct examination and cross examination.
- Ability to review and/or finalize work products produced by clients, para- professionals, and/or other attorneys.
- Ability to lay the foundation for documentary evidence and expert witness opinion testimony.
- Ability to prepare and deliver closing arguments which synthesize evidence and applicable law in a compelling narrative.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in the dissemination of information.
- Ability to plan the development of a project, case or matter.
- Ability to present cases before State and Federal Courts, and administrative agencies or forums.
- Ability to remain calm under stressful circumstances.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in decision making.
Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
- Comprehensive health benefits package with medical, dental, and vision options.
- Sick leave, vacation leave, or annual leave options available.
- Retirement plan through CalPERS. Other retirement options include 401(k) and/or 457(b) participation through State of California Savings Plus program.
- Public transportation subsidy and pre-tax parking program options.
The personal satisfaction of knowing that you impact the daily lives of wage earners in California.
Contact Information The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application proces
