Attorney IV - Audits

State of California; California; On-site; USD 134,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Longevity bonus

Job summary

The California State Auditor's Office is seeking an Attorney IV/III to support the State Auditor by providing formal and informal legal advice on laws affecting California government. You will perform research, interpret laws, draft documents, and represent the office in legal matters, collaborating with the Chief Counsel and other attorneys.

Ideal candidates will have experience with legislation, litigation, and regulatory analysis and can handle multiple concurrent projects under tight

Qualifications

• You have experience reviewing and analyzing complex and sensitive issues concerning a wide variety of legal issues.
• Experience working with the Legislature, other state agencies, and high-level Executive or Judicial Branch staff.
• Experience providing advice to and representing high-ranking state officials on a broad range of legal issues.
• Litigation experience.
• Experience drafting legal documents including statutes, regulations, contracts and related procurement documents, and pleadings.
• Familiarity with auditing and/or project management standards and principles.
• Proven ability to handle large and varied assignments involving a wide range and frequently changing subject matters.
• Ability to work well under pressure and thrive in such an environment.
• Adapt easily to changing situations and assignments.
• History of working cooperatively and dealing effectively with others.
• Ability to work on several concurrent projects with different groups, each on a predetermined timeline.
• Familiar with the laws generally applicable to state and local government.

Responsibilities

• Prior to the Legislative approval of a performance audit request, conduct highly critical and time-sensitive preliminary legal research and analysis to support the State Auditor Office's audit analyses.
• Gather and analyze relevant laws and other legal materials, such as judicial precedents, proposed legislation, administrative decisions, and other legal authorities.
• Interpret and apply those laws to particular regulatory programs or legal issues identified as part of the audit.
• Communicate the results of the research and analysis, both verbally and in writing, to management and others within the State Auditor's Office.
• Review audit reports and related correspondence for legal content and consistency, including the development and review of audit recommendations involving legal compliance or changes in law.
• Perform legislative research and provide legal advice on pending legislation that may impact the State Auditor's Office; determine the content and impact of proposed laws and regulations on the operations, including the rights, duties, and authority, of the State Auditor's Office; summarize and report the results of such research.
• Draft and interpret laws and regulations; draft and review legal documents, including subpoenas, court documents, and contracts.
• Represent the State Auditor's Office in legal matters; and, on occasion, conduct depositions and represent or assist other counsel in litigation on behalf of or in defense of the State Auditor's Office.
• Provide appropriate legal advice on a broad range of legal issues, including, but not limited to, compliance with laws related to state and local government, conflicts of interest, public meetings and records access, public contracting, and laws related to confidentiality.
• Provide information and briefings to Members of the Legislature, legislative staff and other stakeholders, as requested by office management.

Skills

Legal analysis

Legislation work

Litigation experience

Legal drafting

Auditing familiarity

Project management

Under pressure

Team collaboration

State government law

Job description

What will you do?

The attorneys at the California State Auditor's Office support the State Auditor, work in an independent, non-partisan capacity, advising the State Auditor on the laws that apply to government agencies and programs in California, including those that apply to the State Auditor's Office. You may work independently or in a team environment to provide formal and informal oral and written legal advice on a variety of issues supporting the State Auditor's Office. You will assist the Chief Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsels, and other employees in performing legal research, analysis, and legal tasks.

Specifically, you will:

• Prior to the Legislative approval of a performance audit request, conduct highly critical and time-sensitive preliminary legal research and analysis to support the State Auditor Office's audit analyses.
• Upon approval of performance audits or the commencement of other types of audits:
  • Gather and analyze relevant laws and other legal materials, such as judicial precedents, proposed legislation, administrative decisions, and other legal authorities.
  • Interpret and apply those laws to particular regulatory programs or legal issues identified as part of the audit.
  • Communicate the results of the research and analysis, both verbally and in writing, to management and others within the State Auditor's Office.
  • Review audit reports and related correspondence for legal content and consistency, including the development and review of audit recommendations involving legal compliance or changes in law.
• Perform legislative research and provide legal advice on pending legislation that may impact the State Auditor's Office; determine the content and impact of proposed laws and regulations on the operations, including the rights, duties, and authority, of the State Auditor's Office; summarize and report the results of such research.
• Draft and interpret laws and regulations; draft and review legal documents, including subpoenas, court documents, and contracts.
• Represent the State Auditor's Office in legal matters; and, on occasion, conduct depositions and represent or assist other counsel in litigation on behalf of or in defense of the State Auditor's Office.
• Provide appropriate legal advice on a broad range of legal issues, including, but not limited to, compliance with laws related to state and local government, conflicts of interest, public meetings and records access, public contracting, and laws related to confidentiality.
• Provide information and briefings to Members of the Legislature, legislative staff and other stakeholders, as requested by office management.

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

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY IV
• 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:

Who are you?

• You have experience reviewing and analyzing complex and sensitive issues concerning a wide variety of legal issues.
• You have experience working with the Legislature, other state agencies, and high-level Executive or Judicial Branch staff.
• You have experience providing advice to and representing high-ranking state officials on a broad range of legal issues.
• You have litigation experience.
• You have experience drafting legal documents including statutes, regulations, contracts and related procurement documents, and pleadings.
• You have familiarity with auditing and/or project management standards and principles.
• You have a proven ability to handle large and varied assignments involving a wide range and frequently changing subject matters.
• You have experience working well under pressure and thrive in such an environment.
• You adapt easily to changing situations and assignments.
• You have a history of working cooperatively and dealing effectively with others.
• You have the ability to work on several concurrent projects with different groups, each on a predetermined timeline.
• You are familiar with the laws generally applicable to state and local government.

Why should you join us?

• You want to work in a professional environment with a team dedicated to making a difference for Californians and future generations.
• You are highly collaborative, solution-oriented, and enjoy challenging and engaging work.
• You have a strong work ethic and thrive when working under pressure.
• You have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly explain legal issues and legal conclusions to non-lawyers.
• You desire a monthly salary range of $12,046 - $16,096 with a 5% pay differential as well as a longevity bonus.