Assistant Chief Counsel

CalPERS; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

CalPERS in Sacramento County is seeking an Assistant Chief Counsel to oversee the Litigation Unit. The Attorney will supervise Attorneys and Senior Attorneys, manage complex administrative and court proceedings, and provide strategic legal advice to executives and staff.

The role requires coordinating with the Attorney General’s Office and outside counsel, guiding litigation strategy, and reporting on significant cases. Hybrid telework is available with required onsite presence.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Litigation Unit and supervise Attorneys and Senior Attorneys.
• Initiate and represent CalPERS in complex administrative and court proceedings.
• Provide oral and written legal advice to executives, senior leaders, and staff.

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer The 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer The 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.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-529730

Position #(s): 275-110-5871-003

Working Title: Assistant Chief Counsel

Classification: ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

$14,513.00 - $17,742.00

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: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation’s largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website !

To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video .

Job Description And Duties

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews beginning the week of September 28, 2026.

The CalPERS Legal Office is currently seeking an Assistant Chief Counsel to oversee the Litigation Unit.

The Legal Office represents CalPERS in litigation and provides formal and informal legal advice regarding all legal issues at CalPERS, including the areas of benefit and membership entitlement, Board elections, health care, fiduciary matters, ethics, contracts, public records, labor and employment, open meetings, and investment related matters.

The duties of this position include but are not limited to: supervising Attorneys and Senior Attorneys providing a broad range of legal services in the Litigation Unit; initiating and representing CalPERS in the most difficult and complex administrative and court proceedings; making strategic decisions and substantive recommendations, and appearing on behalf of CalPERS in the most complex and sensitive cases at administrative hearings and in court, and before other administrative bodies; providing oral and written legal advice to executives, senior team leaders, and team members; keeping clients informed of the status of all cases and conferring with and advising clients on all substantive matters; supervising litigation in coordination with the Attorney General’s Office and outside counsel; and keeping the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and Associate General Counsel informed on the status of all significant cases.

Telework Information

Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship. CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee shall receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 4.62 percent reduction in pay.

This position is eligible for a Hire Above Minimum (HAM) salary. Government Code section 19836 authorizes the Department of Human Resources (CalHR) to allow an exception to provide a rate above the established minimum salary range for selected classifications, as determined by CalHR.

How did you hear about this position? Tell us in this brief survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications: Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.

The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed.

The SOQ must not exceed two pages in length and must address the following:

• Outline your experience managing attorneys, including your knowledge of and experience with human resource matters, including but not limited to progressive discipline, civil service hiring, mentoring, motivating, and developing staff, and your leadership skills and demonstrated ability to think strategically and function effectively as a member of a management team. Please include experience you have managing a team working in a hybrid telework environment.


• Describe your experience and identify the number of years that you have represented clients in litigation matters before federal, state, and administrative tribunals. Please also describe any experience you may have working on cases involving class actions, corporations and corporate governance, pensions and trusts, health benefits, employment, open meetings, and public records. Please also describe your experience overseeing contracted outside counsel and counsel at the Office of the Attorney General.


• Describe your experience advising executive and senior leadership on legal risks facing an organization, litigation strategy and oversight, problem definition, and conflict resolution of complex legal issues. Please include your experience presenting legal matters before a public board, including any experience interacting with the CalPERS Board or its committees regarding litigation or potential litigation involving any program administered by CalPERS.

Minimum Qualifications

All experience and education relating to the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) listed on the Classification Specification should be included in your application package to clearly demonstrate how you meet the MQs for this position. If you are using education to meet MQs, please include your transcripts with your application package. If you have a degree from outside of the United States, you must submit an evaluation of this degree to determine the US equivalency. If you need an evaluation, you can visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website to find organizations that provide these services. The Classification Specification is located on this Job Posting under “Minimum Requirements.”

Please Note: You may need to pass an examination to establish list eligibility prior to a final offer of employment. To find and take an exam, visit CalHR’s CalCareers website .

Career Services & Outreach

Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation? The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach (CSO) team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation.

To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services