Staff Attorney

California Department of Industrial Relations; San Bernardino (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Industrial Relations seeks an Attorney III to lead the Wage Claim Adjudication unit within the Labor Commissioner’s Office. You will represent the LCO, advise the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies on California employment law, and handle litigation, negotiations, hearings, and research.

The role involves coordinating with senior staff, supporting high‑profile cases, and traveling as needed to meet program objectives.

Qualifications

• Must have active membership to California State Bar.
• Experience identifying matters as trial counsel or appellate counsel is required.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Labor Commissioner’s Office as lead counsel for the Wage Claim Adjudication unit.
• Advise the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies on California employment law.
• Perform litigation, negotiations, hearings, legal research, and legal opinion writing; may supervise junior attorneys.
• Travel as required to meet program objectives.

Job description

Job Description And Duties

Under the general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent works with broad discretion and independence to perform the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Labor Commissioner’s Office (LCO). The incumbent will represent the LCO and act as lead counsel for the Wage Claim Adjudication unit, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. The incumbent is assigned to perform a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiations, and legislative liaison work, hearings, legal research, and legal opinion writing on cases that may be appealed to the highest courts. May serve as a lead to lower level attorney staff. The incumbent possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. This position manages a substantial workload, which may be subject to strict time constraints or involve high‑profile cases. The ability to travel is also required for this position.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR.

To be considered for this Attorney III job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1580

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

Working Conditions

• May work in high‑rise building in downtown locations.
• Must work in office. Workspace is a standard office in a smoke‑free environment.
• Incumbent must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time.
• Incumbent must occasionally move boxes, files and office equipment.
• As needed, an Attorney will also have contact with the general public, California State and outside legal, program, court and agency staff via phone, email, in person, via presentation, video and mail. Such contact may include general, confidential, sensitive, technical and informative materials.
• The incumbent is expected to travel via land and air (including overnight travel out of town) and arrange schedules to perform duties and meet the objectives of the program.

This single position may be filled in any of the following positions. Applicants must apply to the individual job postings for each location they wish to be considered.

• 7575 Metropolitan Dr., San Diego, CA 92108 (Apply to JC #537781)
• https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=537781
• MacArthur Place, Santa Ana, CA 92707 (Apply to JC #537775)
• https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=537775
• 1500 Hughes Way, Long Beach, CA 908102 (Apply to JC #537760)
• https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobPosting.aspx?JobControlId=537760

Special Requirements

• Must have active membership to California State Bar.
• Identify up to three (3) matters in which you have served as trial counsel in a court trial (civil or criminal) or administrative hearing. Please format your response as follows: Case Name/No. Court name/location/dept. Judge/Hearing Officer Dates Case Issues ____________ ____________________ __________________ _______ ___________
• Identify up to three (3) matters in which you have served as appellate counsel in the California Court of Appeal or in a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Please format your response as follows: Case Name/No. Court name Date of decision Cite (if any) Case Issues __________________ ______________ ________________ __________ ____________
• Describe how your experience prepares you for this position as a trial attorney doing labor law enforcement for the Labor Commissioner’s Office.

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.