Attorney IV/III - Audits

California State Auditor; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The California State Auditor’s Office seeks an experienced attorney to join our independent, nonpartisan team. You will provide formal and informal legal advice to the State Auditor, research laws, analyze complex regulatory issues, and support audit programs with legal insights.

You will gather and interpret laws, draft legal documents, review reports for legal content, and advise on pending legislation. Collaboration with management, legislators, and other agencies is essential, with

Qualifications

• Experience reviewing and analyzing complex and sensitive legal issues.
• Experience working with the Legislature, state agencies, and high-level staff.
• Experience providing advice to and representing high-ranking state officials on a broad range of legal issues.
• Litigation experience is preferred.
• Experience drafting statutes, regulations, contracts, and related procurement documents.

Responsibilities

• Provide formal and informal oral and written legal advice on a variety of issues supporting the State Auditor’s Office.
• Perform legal research, analysis, and tasks for audits.
• Gather and analyze relevant laws and authorities including precedents and proposed legislation.
• Interpret and apply laws to regulatory programs or legal issues identified in audits.
• Communicate research results to management and others within the office.
• Review audit reports for legal content and consistency; develop legal recommendations.
• Draft and interpret laws and regulations; prepare subpoenas, court documents, and contracts.
• Represent the Office in legal matters; assist in litigation or conduct depositions as needed.
• Provide legal guidance on compliance with state/local government laws, public meetings, records access, and confidentiality.

Skills

Legal research

Oral and written communication

Public sector experience

Project management

Stakeholder collaboration

Regulatory interpretation

Tools

Legal research databases

Job description

We are the independent oversight arm of the California State Legislature and the custodians of California’s Whistleblower Hotline. Our mission is to provide objective evaluations and effective solutions that enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of California government for the people it serves. We are trusted to produce unbiased, nonpartisan reports that provide recommendations to solve some of our state’s toughest problems.

At the California State Auditor’s Office, we believe that our mission to enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of government also improves the lives of Californians. The many people helping us achieve this mission are the backbone and heart of our organization. We aspire to create a workplace that celebrates their incredible contributions and talents, and embraces their unique perspectives, identities, and values. We seek to develop an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and inspired in their commitment to public service.

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.

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.

Final Filing Date: September 11, 2026

WORKING CONDITIONS

• This position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program. Work at the alternate work location must be in California and conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free, and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.
• Work performed in the office is in an air-conditioned high-rise building with elevator access and both natural and artificial lighting.
• Work may require sitting for an extended period of time using a personal computer and the use of standard office equipment, such as phones, copiers or scanners.
• Work may require periodic non-standard work hours and work during weekends to meet workload needs and demands.
• Work may require occasional travel, working away from headquarters, and/or long and irregular work hours.

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The California State Auditor's Office is not an E-Verify employer.

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.