ATTORNEY III

Caltrans; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 11,000 - 15,000; Full time

Job summary

The Caltrans Sacramento Legal Office is seeking qualified attorneys to join our team, focusing on defending Caltrans in tort and employment matters with civil litigation experience preferred. You will study, interpret, and apply laws, prepare briefs, and present cases for trial under supervision of senior counsel.

Minimum qualifications include a CA Bar license; eligibility for Attorney III/IV exams may apply. The position is permanent, full-time with hybrid telework, based in Sacramento County.

Qualifications

• CA BAR license required prior to hire.
• Eligibility for Attorney III/IV exam and list eligibility rules apply.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and apply laws and authorities in the preparation of cases and briefs.
• Prepare and present cases for trial; handle transactional work.
• Defend Caltrans in tort and employment matters; trial experience preferred.
• Work under the direction of Deputy Chief Counsel and/or Assistant Chief Counsel.

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.

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-532225

Position #(s): 701-001-5795-XXX

Working Title: Attorney

Classification: ATTORNEY III

Salary: $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.

Shall Consider: ATTORNEY IV

Salary (Shall Consider): $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Sacramento 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

Will Consider Attorney IV

Under the general direction of a Deputy Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel and/or Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney Ill studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other authorities in the preparation of moderately difficult and/or complex cases, opinions and briefs; prepares and presents cases for trial; and/or does a variety of transactional work.

The Caltrans Sacramento Legal Office is seeking well-qualified and highly motivated attorneys with experience and/or interest in civil litigation. Candidates will join our office with a primary focus on defending Caltrans in tort and/or employment cases. Trial experience is preferred but not required.

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# 42-27-0063 / JC-532225

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Attorney III/ Attorney IV 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. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

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

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA BAR membership License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License is required when operating a state owned or leased vehicle.

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.

Final Filing Date

9/30/2026

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).