ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

Caltrans; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Job summary

Caltrans seeks an Assistant Chief Counsel to supervise a team of attorneys handling litigation and other legal matters. The incumbent may coordinate complex areas in the Legal Division and oversee the Department's legislative program statewide.

The role requires California State Bar licensure, supervisory experience, and the ability to develop legal policy for executive leadership. Travel across the state is expected; hybrid telework is available.

Qualifications

• Proficient knowledge of civil litigation laws, regulations, trends, practices, and applicable codes.
• Experience supervising attorneys and coordinating teams.
• Ability to formulate legal policy and advise top management.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a group of attorneys involved in litigation and other legal activities.
• Coordinate statewide legislative programs and provide strategic legal guidance.
• Serve as legal advisor to top management and manage statewide initiatives.

Skills

Civil litigation knowledge

Supervisory experience

Policy development

Court familiarity

Education

State Bar of California License

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. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug‑free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-532065

Position #(s): 701-002-5871-XXX

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: Multiple

Work Location: Alameda County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov

Director’s EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Job Description And Duties

Under general direction of a Deputy Chief Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel is responsible for supervising a group of attorneys involved in a variety of litigation and other legal activities. The incumbent may also coordinate more complex and/or major specialized areas in the Legal Division and/or have statewide responsibility for the Department's legislative program.

The Caltrans Legal Division is comprised of five offices statewide, including its headquarters office near the State Capitol in Sacramento and offices in Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Fresno.

While at their base of operation, employees will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial light. However, due to periodic problems with the heating and air conditioning, the building temperature may fluctuate. Will have to perform work duties in different court rooms throughout the state and therefore, this position does require travel.

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.

PARF# 42-27-0064 / JC-532065

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel Exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions.

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

Special Requirements

• State Bar of California License


• Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.


• Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) required.

Statement of Qualifications should be no more than three (3) pages and address the following:

• Proficient knowledge of civil litigation laws, regulations, trends, practices, and the California Code of Civil Procedure, California Evidence Code, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, California Government Code, and the California Insurance Code.


• Knowledge of law relating to public transportation issues. Federal Aid statutes relating to transportation; California law relating to acquisition, financing, administration, and risk management.


• Sufficient knowledge of the organization, mission, and statutory environment of the State Department of Transportation in order to function effectively in a position that works closely with and supports top management of the Department of Transportation.


• Experience at a supervisory and/or management level in the Department of Transportation or comparable agency or organization or law firm practice including knowledge of transportation, civil litigation, current management principles and practices, and demonstrated ability to plan, direct, coordinate and review the work of a program consisting of professional legal staff.


• Breadth and variety of experience as an attorney, attorney supervisor and/or contractor of attorneys, in the research and analysis of transportation and business-related issues, and in defending, pursuing and resolving civil and administrative cases in administrative forums, in the California Superior Courts, Appellate Courts, Supreme Court, Federal District Courts and Courts of Appeal, or the California state Legislature.


• Ability to act as legal advisor to top management, including the ability to formulate legal policy and to initiate and recommend strategic changes impacting the Department of Transportation programs and the organization as a whole, in order to meet competitive demands and corporate objectives and values.


• Ability to identify and defend the Department of Transportation against abusive and fraudulent activities. All methods of appointment will be considered (e.g., list appointment, transfer, reinstatement, surplus, SROA, reemployment, etc.). All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for the classification in order to be eligible for appointment to the position

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

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).

Final Filing Date: 9/24/2026

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.