Staff Attorney for the State Labor Commissioner

Job Description and Duties

Under supervision of the Attorney Supervisor to the Labor Commissioner’s Office, the successful candidate will represent the LCO and act as counsel, advising the Labor Commissioner and other public agencies, on California employment law. California often leads the way with First-in-the-Nation measures to protect workers and employers. In this dynamic arena, LCO team personnel are assigned a variety of tasks such as litigation, negotiation, legislative and community liaison work, hearings, legal research, legal opinion writing on policy, precedents and appeals. The ideal candidate possesses a strong motivation to work on and contribute to labor, employment rights-related matters. The ability to travel is required for this position.

This position is in the following program areas: Legal Unit, supporting Licensing and Registration.

***Please ensure application is complete with detailed job descriptions/tasks performed, employment beginning and ending date information, and hours worked per week. Failure to provide this information may disqualify your application.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Attorney IV 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=1581

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 Attorney 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.

Minimum Requirements

• ATTORNEY IV

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Department Information

Special Requirements

Application Instructions

• Knowledge of legal analysis, including issue-spotting, identifying and analyzing applicable legal rules, applying law to facts, and evaluating and predicting potential legal outcomes.
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence and their application in depositions, court trials, and administrative hearings.
• Knowledge of pretrial, trial, post-trial, and appellate procedures in state and federal courts.
• Knowledge of litigation, appellate, and enforcement procedures applicable to labor and employment matters.

• Skilled in organizing and conducting effective direct and cross-examination of witnesses at depositions, trials, and administrative hearings.
• Skilled in formulating and presenting persuasive legal arguments and evidence to judges, juries, arbitrators, mediators, administrative decision-makers, and opposing counsel.
• Skilled in researching, analyzing, and presenting complex legal issues in written briefs and oral appellate argument.
• Skilled in identifying and preserving legal issues for appeal and developing an effective appellate record.
• Skilled in negotiating case resolutions that achieve favorable results for the client.
• Skilled in listening to others and facilitating an open exchange of ideas to promote effective communication.

• Ability to serve effectively as lead counsel in litigation, including preparing for and conducting trials, hearings, depositions, and other contested proceedings.
• Ability to serve effectively as lead appellate counsel, including preparing appellate briefs, identifying and framing issues on appeal, and presenting effective oral argument.
• Ability to examine witnesses on direct and cross-examination and effectively challenge opposing testimony and evidence.
• Ability to lay the foundation for documentary evidence and expert witness testimony.
• Ability to prepare and deliver compelling opening and closing arguments.
• Ability to present cases effectively before state and federal courts and administrative agencies or forums.
• Ability to develop and execute litigation strategies for cases and matters from inception through resolution, including appeal.
• Ability to review, edit, and finalize work products prepared by clients, paraprofessionals, and other attorneys.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and effective under the pressure and stress of litigation and trial.
• Ability to exercise sound legal, strategic, and professional judgment in making decisions.
• Ability to apply professional ethical rules governing the practice of law, particularly those applicable to public attorneys.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion in the handling and dissemination of information.

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

• Comprehensive health benefits package with medical, dental, and vision options.
• Sick leave, vacation leave, or annual leave options available.
• Retirement plan through CalPERS. Other retirement options include 401(k) and/or 457(b) participation through State of California Savings Plus program.
• Public transportation subsidy and pre-tax parking program options.
• The personal satisfaction of knowing that you impact the daily lives of wage earners in California.
  

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

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.