Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Under general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney IV will be responsible for providing a broad spectrum of legal advice on diverse subjects related to the Authority’s operations and objectives, with a high level of difficulty or sensitivity. The Attorney IV is expected to possess advanced knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The incumbent will complete assignments and provide legal advice and guidance by using state and federal legal authority in some or all of the following areas of law as well: contracts, environmental and land use, procurements, real property and eminent domain, open meetings, public records, conflicts of interest, governance, construction, public works, public infrastructure, public-private partnerships, utilities, public funding and financing, personnel and employment, and/or administrative law. The Attorney IV must be familiar with the associated state and federal laws and regulations and understand how such laws and regulations apply to public entities and public projects. The incumbent researches and analyzes legal authorities and provides oral and written advice to Authority staff; drafts, edits, negotiates and provides advice on complex agreements and settlements; and works collaboratively with other members of the Legal Office and the Authority’s staff. The incumbent also works closely with, and directs the work of, outside counsel regarding legal advice and litigation.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Part-time telework is available for this position for California residents based on the requirements of the position and may be discussed during the interview process. Hiring interviews may be available virtually, using teleconferencing or video conferencing options.

While working on site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled cubicle which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. Incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and video display terminal and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employees may be required to travel outside of their workstation to perform general tasks.

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages, 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all of the following questions. Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the hiring process.

1. Describe your experience with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and provide examples of NEPA projects, NEPA document preparation and any resulting litigation with which you have been involved. In your response, include specific information on your role in each project/litigation and the type(s) of client(s) and stakeholders you worked with.

2. Describe how you would handle a situation in which a client declined to follow your advice on an important element of an environmental impact statement or environmental impact report.

3. Describe a situation in which you succeeded in reaching an amicable resolution of an issue with a difficult counterparty.

Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.

For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Ability to conduct legal research and writing, sometimes under short deadlines.

• Experience drafting legal documents such as legislation, regulations or contracts.

• Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, flexibility, judgment and confidentiality.

• Ability to operate independently, but with the judgment to know when to ask for assistance and guidance from a supervisor or colleague.

• Ability to represent the Authority in dealings with other government agencies and private entities in a way that reflects well on the Authority.

• Ability to advise high-level governmental or corporate entitles on environmental legal matters.

• Dependable, punctual, excellent attendance.

• Knowledge of the Authority organization, operations and relevant policy issues.

• Prepare correspondence involving inclusion of recommendations for effective courses of action.

• Experience working with environmental permitting and mitigation laws.

• Experience drafting and reviewing environmental documents with an emphasis on CEQA and NEPA legal matters.

• Experience negotiating and/or litigating complex contracts or settlements.

• Exercise good judgment and calm professionalism in all situations.

Benefits

The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options.

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

Application Information

The STD. 678 is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.

If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-318481 and Attorney, 311-160-5780-806 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position. Please indicate on the STD 678 your basis of eligibility in the "Explanations" field (i.e. SROA, surplus, reemployment, reinstatement, transfer, or list eligible.)

Surplus/SROA candidates must provide a copy of their surplus/SROA letter with their application. Consideration may be given to applicants on another Department's employment list, provided the criteria are met to transfer the eligibility from the employment list to the Authority's employment list. Training and Development assignments are not being considered at this time.

NOTE: To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you are new to California State service and you do not have list eligibility, you must take the exam for this classification. To gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see above “Special Requirements” section for SOQ instructions.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Remote work

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