Plastics Pollution Enforcement Attorney

California Department of Justice; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

11 paid holidays

Flexible paid leave options

Pension retirement

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The California Department of Justice, Environmental Justice and Protection Section, seeks a seasoned civil litigator to lead plastics pollution enforcement. You will represent the People of California in complex state and federal court matters, manage investigations, discovery, depositions, and dispositive motions, and work with agencies and district attorneys.

Ideal candidates will have trial experience, familiarity with the CPP, FRCP, and a commitment to environmental justice across California.

Qualifications

• Experience in civil litigation and environmental law matters.
• Familiarity with California state and federal court procedures.
• Ability to handle discovery, depositions, and dispositive motions.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Attorney General in plastics pollution enforcement matters.
• Conduct investigations and litigate in state and federal courts.
• Coordinate with district attorney offices and provide legal advice to agencies.

Skills

Civil litigation

Environmental law

California court practice

Deposition experience

Job description

Job Description And Duties

The Environmental Justice and Protection Section of the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General, is looking for a purpose-driven, highly experienced civil litigation attorney to work on some of the most challenging and cutting-edge issues in the field of environmental law on behalf of the People of the State of California. We are seeking exceptional and motivated candidates for an opening in our section working primarily on plastic pollution enforcement matters, including representing the Attorney General in complex litigation in state court addressing the plastic pollution crisis in California.

The section is seeking experienced civil litigators who are familiar with practicing in California state court and federal court through all phases of a case, including trial. Experience investigating claims, propounding and responding to written discovery, taking and defending percipient and expert witness depositions, and responding to dispositive motions is highly desirable. The ideal candidate will have taken cases to a jury verdict and be familiar with the California Code of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. While the focus of this position will primarily be on plastics pollution enforcement, the Environmental Justice and Protection Section handles a broad range of significant environmental matters on behalf of the Attorney General and the State of California.

Attorneys in the section practice in an array of state and federal laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act, the Hazardous Waste Control Law, the California Endangered Species Act, Proposition 65, and the Unfair Competition Law, as well as federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Federal Power Act, the federal Endangered Species Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Attorneys in the section use these laws to address existing and future pollution, mitigate the dangers posed by climate change, pursue equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in communities, provide information on exposures to toxic chemicals, and reduce health impacts from environmental and other exposures. The Environmental Justice and Protection Section utilizes the Attorney General’s broad statutory and common law enforcement authority to participate in local, state, and federal agency decision making, and to litigate complex environmental matters through all phases of state and federal courts, representing the Attorney General in his independent capacity. Duties include but are not limited to: conducting difficult environmental investigations on behalf of the Attorney General; close coordination with District Attorney Offices, including joint prosecutions of both civil and criminal environmental cases; and providing legal advice on an ongoing basis to the Attorney General and, as needed, to California state agencies.

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

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-532199

Position #(s):

420-430-5705-XXX

Working Title

Plastics Pollution Enforcement Attorney

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 V

$12,659.00 - $16,883.00

DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III

$10,852.00 - $15,325.00

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

United States

Telework

Hybrid

Job Type

Permanent, Full Time

• This position is located in the Division of Public Rights, Environmental Justice and Protection Section, and may be filled in either San Diego, Oakland, Los Angeles, or Sacramento. Please clearly indicate your preferred city or cities in the 'Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying' section of your State Application.
• 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.
• The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a "Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. The starting salary for each classification will be:
• Deputy Attorney General III (5+ years): $12,046
• Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
• Deputy Attorney General V (lateral transfers only): $14,051

New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.

• For more information about the Department of Justice, please visit the Attorney General’s website at http://www.oag.ca.gov
• Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General
• Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR .

Benefits of working for the State of California:

• Work-life balance
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible paid leave options
• Consistent wage increases
• Pension retirement
• Job stability
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and more!