ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

California State Controller's Office; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 198,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State Controller’s Office is seeking an Assistant Chief Counsel in Sacramento, CA. The role supports the Chief Counsel in day-to-day legal oversight and strategic direction, guiding a team of attorneys to handle constitutional and statutory matters for the Controller’s Office.

As the Assistant Chief Counsel, you will organize caseloads, implement improved processes, mentor junior attorneys, and coordinate with external counsels when needed.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and review the work of attorneys.
• Assist the Chief Counsel in overseeing legal staff and case assignments.
• Develop and implement legal strategies and risk management.

Job description

Work Location

Sacramento County

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-532927

Position #(s): 051-720-5871-001

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

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Facility: Executive Office

Department Information

The Office of the State Controller (SCO) is the destination employer within the State of California. As California’s chief fiscal officer, the Controller’s Office ensures accountability and transparency of California’s financial practices while promoting fairness and opportunity for all. Here, you’ll work in a collaborative and supportive environment with diverse opportunities for professional growth and development. A career with the SCO offers meaningful work that directly impacts the state’s future.

The Executive Office (EO) of the California State Controller’s Office is the strategic center point driving the vision and mission of the department. The EO coordinates high-level initiatives, manages key stakeholder relationships, and oversees the implementation of policies and procedures that shape California’s financial landscape. If you’re passionate about public service, policy development, and human resources, this division offers the opportunity to advance your career in a dynamic and impactful environment. Join a team where your insights and contributions will help drive excellence in administrative and financial management.

Take the next step in your career with an organization that values innovation, integrity, and the well-being of its employees. Apply today and build a California where everyone thrives!

Visit our website to learn more about the State Controller’s Office.

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Job Description And Duties

With general direction provided by the Chief Counsel, assist with the day-to-day oversight of the Legal Office as it serves the Controller in the discharge of her constitutional responsibilities. As the Assistant Chief Counsel, organize and direct the caseload consistent with the direction of Chief Counsel, while identifying and implementing new processes and procedures to expedite responses to programmatic legal challenges or controls. The incumbent will be expected to exercise a high level of independence and judgement, but consistent with the expectations of the Chief Counsel.

Duties Performed:

(Candidates must perform the following functions with or without reasonable accommodations.)

• Plan, organize, direct, coordinate, and review the work of attorneys whose responsibilities include, but is not limited to the development of legal opinions, responding to legal challenges, evaluating constitutional law related to the State Controller's responsibilities, etc.; facilitate knowledge transfer amongst existing attorneys; mentor, guide, and direct attorneys who are new or inexperienced to the department;
• Assist the Chief Counsel in providing oversight of legal staff, implementing training schedules, approving and denying leave usage, evaluating performance, imposing progressive discipline, setting caseload expectations; establishing consistency in legal opinion development; reviewing assignments; identifying corrective actions;
• Adhere to and set compliance goals; facilitate negotiations; influence the development of legal strategies in terms of program issues; research complex legal topics in support of decision-making opportunities on behalf of the Chief Counsel;
• Assess legal threats; coordinate the efforts of outside counsel when called upon to represent the department; assess risk and recommend best practice to better manage risk;
• Develop external relationships with other legal offices within different state departments; may be required to coordinate with the Attorney General's Office regarding subject-matter impacting the State Controller’s Office;
• Assist in the development of executive legal strategies by identifying historical context, and data analytics; may be called upon to vet legal position as it related to boards and commission; provide legal counsel to Senior Executive Staff members;
• Oversee the preparation for lawsuits, identifying best approach, case studies, and relevant court decisions on similar subject-matter;
• Establish legal premise to proposed legislation and the resulting impact to the department; coordinate the implementation of legal decisions stemming from court rulings, recommendations, or best practices;
• Participate in legal governance when applicable, providing legal argument and justifying program/department positioning; provide regulatory advice; ensure compliance with all laws and/or court decisions;
• Provide legal insight by applying expert guidance and establishing or promoting legal trends as identified by the Chief Counsel;
• Represent the Chief Counsel during scheduled meetings, negotiations, hearings, or counseling sessions regarding the various program areas within the SCO;
• Provide legal support for cases scheduled for hearing in various venues such as Supreme Court, Federal Courts, Superior Court, State Appellate Court etc.; such cases may include matters of first impression requiring new theories and/or suppositions;
• Engage in the most difficult and complex negotiations, legal research, and opinion development;
• Meet with high-level representatives of other departments, boards, and commissions, or opposing counsel to negotiate, address issues of interest on behalf of the State Controller’s Office, or mutually agree regarding potential resolutions;
• Travel to and from various locations when scheduled for hearings, meetings, or any other representational matters.

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

Special Requirements

Take the required examination here: Attorney V Examination

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.

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.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.