DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV

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

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid (Telework)

Job summary

Department of Justice in California seeks a Land Use and Conservation Attorney to handle complex environmental and land-use litigation. The role supports enforcement of housing laws and protection of public lands, with opportunities for remote or in-office work and occasionally required court appearances in California and federal courts.

Desirable candidates will have excellent research and writing skills and experience across all litigation phases.

Qualifications

• Strong legal research and writing skills are highly desirable.
• Experience with all phases of litigation is preferred.
• Civil litigation background in land use or environmental matters is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Litigate all phases of cases in California and federal courts.
• Provide ongoing legal advice to clients and the Attorney General.
• Work on matters enforcing state housing laws and public land protection.

Skills

Public land law

Environmental law

Legal research

Legal writing

Job description

Job Posting: Land Use and Conservation Attorney (DAG through DAG V)

Department of Justice

JC-533854 - Land Use and Conservation Attorney (DAG through DAG V) DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV

$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 per Month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/27/2026

The Land Use and Conservation Section provides the opportunity to work on matters of critical importance to the State. The section’s practice includes enforcing state housing laws; ensuring public access to California’s waterways, mountains, and open space through litigation and client advice; conservation and expansion of state parks and other public lands for recreation and ecological protection; and protecting against wildfire risk. The section's attorneys are experienced in laws pertaining to environmental land use and natural resource regulation (including CEQA), real property, the California Coastal Act, the public trust doctrine, oil and gas development, housing, and administrative procedure. The section represents a variety of agencies including the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Lands Commission, the Delta Stewardship Council, the High-Speed Rail Authority, California's land conservancies, the California Coastal Commission, and the Department of Conservation. Desirable qualifications include excellent legal research and writing skills and experience with all phases of litigation. The successful candidate will litigate all phases of cases in California and federal courts and will render legal advice on an ongoing basis to all clients and to the Attorney General.

Working Conditions

The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office, but some in-office attendance may be required. Travel and additional in-person attendance may be required for court appearances, meetings or other occasional operational needs.

Minimum Requirements

• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V

Classification

DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Shall Consider

• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL $7,969.00 - $12,026.00
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III $10,852.00 - $15,325.00
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V $12,659.00 - $16,883.00

# of Positions

Multiple

Work Location

Hybrid (Telework)

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

Work Week

Monday-Friday

Department Information

• These positions are located in the Division of Public Rights, Land Use and Conservation Section, and may be filled in Sacramento. This JC is in connection with JC-528846. If you previously applied to JC-528846, you do not need to re-apply.

The starting salary for each classification will be:

• Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,846 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,956
• Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
• Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
• Deputy Attorney General V (Lateral): $14,051

New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.

• Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
• DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.
• For more information about the Department of Justice, please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov.
• If you'd like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email [e-mail].
• A fingerprint check will be required for those hired from outside of the Department of Justice.
• Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-533854) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Application.

Individuals who are new to State service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at: https://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply

• Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examination:
• You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.

Desirable Qualifications

Candidates with a strong commitment to public service are encouraged to apply. Candidates should have strong civil litigation experience. Excellent research and writing skills, as well as strong verbal communication skills, are highly desirable. Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent judgment and tact when interacting with client staff, take initiative, and be well-organized and detail-oriented. A background in public land matters, housing law, or environmental law, is highly desirable.

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

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact: EEO Officer [phone] [e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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.