Attorney III – Telework Hybrid

State of California; California; Remote; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California, located at the DMV Headquarters in Sacramento, seeks an Attorney III to conduct legal research and provide advice on policy issues to department officials and personnel at all levels.

Under minimal supervision, the attorney reviews contracts, subpoenas, oversees departmental litigation, drafts pleadings, handles discovery and represents the department in administrative forums. Public Records Act requests and legislative analysis are part of the role.

Qualifications

• Ability to research and apply legal principles to problems.
• Draft opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation.
• Present statements of facts, law and argument clearly in written and oral form.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to department officials and personnel.
• Review contracts and subpoenas; manage departmental litigation.
• Coordinate with Attorney General and assist in hearings, mediations, and court appearances.
• Respond to inquiries and Public Records Act requests.

Skills

Legal research

Legal analysis

Written opinions

Oral advocacy

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

This position is located at the DMV Headquarters in Sacramento.

Under minimal supervision of an Assistant Chief Counsel, the incumbent conducts legal research and provides legal advice on legal and policy issues relevant to the department, either verbally or in writing through formal or informal opinions, to officials and personnel at all levels of the department; carries out legal functions as necessary to represent the department; responds to inquiries and requests for information, including Public Records act requests; reviews contracts and subpoenas; oversees departmental litigation cases and assists the Attorney General as necessary in conducting the litigation, e.g. coordinating witnesses, obtaining information and appearing at mediations, arbitrations, settlements and court appearances; reviews investigations and evidence; drafts pleadings; conducts discovery; prepares for hearing and represents the department in an administrative forum such as the Office of Administrative Hearings or the State Personnel Board on a variety of subjects including but not limited to occupational licensing actions, personnel actions, and reviews and analyzes proposed legislation impacting the department and its programs. Please note, if an interview is scheduled, two professional writing samples will be required.

All eligible applicants may apply. A training and development assignment may be considered. SROA/Surplus candidates are encouraged to apply.

The position(s) being advertised is subject to Department of Finance approval, and may be subject to allocation approval by the Human Resources Branch. Fingerprint/Criminal Record Clearance is required before hire. The Salary Range shown is the minimum and maximum for a full-time appointment. Moving and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for this position.

The Department of Motor Vehicles and the State of California offer many benefits to its employees. These include health, vision, and dental benefits; retirement plans (CalPERS); savings plans (401K and 457b); leave benefits; insurance (such as group legal insurance and group long term disability insurance); and employee assistance program. Benefits may be based on the job classification, bargaining unit, tenure, time base, and length of appointment.

• Benefits summary – https://benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/general-benefits/
• Benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System – https://benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/retirement/
• Benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service – https://www.calhr.ca.gov/about-calhr/divisions-programs/selection-division/merit-system-services-program/
• Job descriptions and pay scales – https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Tools/ClassSalarySearch.aspx

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY III

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:

Ability to research, analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare and present statements of facts, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare correspondence involving the explanation of legal matters; draft opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation; work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others; and work effectively under pressure.