Job Posting: Hearing Officer

State Water Resources Control Board

JC-455299
-
Hearing Officer
ATTORNEY

$7,737.00 - $11,676.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 12/2/2024

Job Description and Duties

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Administrative Hearings Office (AHO) has an opening for an Attorney to serve as a Hearing Officer in water right enforcement matters and other regulatory proceedings. The position location is 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, with a telework option.

The State Water Resources Control Board exercises adjudicatory and regulatory functions to administer water rights in the state. The AHO is an independent organizational unit within the State Water Board that provides a neutral, fair, and efficient forum for water right adjudications. Hearing Officers within the AHO conduct water right hearings in enforcement matters, water right permitting matters, and other matters assigned to the office by the State Water Board. The job opening presents an opportunity for an attorney with experience or interest in water rights law to join this developing and collegial office to address some of the most significant and complex water rights matters in the state.

Duties:

Under the direction of the presiding and senior hearing officers, the Attorney will review, analyze, interpret, and apply laws, court decisions, State Water Board decisions and orders, and other legal authorities in the preparation of proposed orders, opinions, and briefs; prepare legal documents, memoranda, digests, summaries, and reports; evaluate evidence; assist in and hold hearings; assist with investigations; assist with the drafting of legislative measures and departmental rules and regulations; conduct legal research; and advise staff members regarding the legal effect of rules and regulations, proposed legislative measures, statutory law, court decisions, and administrative actions. The Attorney will assist Senior Hearing Officers and serve as a Hearing Officer for water right hearings, which includes conducting pre-hearing case management, overseeing alternative dispute resolution, issuing pre-hearing rulings and orders, ruling on evidentiary objections, overseeing the conduct of the administrative hearings, drafting detailed decisions and orders, and presenting proposed decisions and orders to the State Water Board.

The AHO fosters an intellectually stimulating, dynamic, and collegial environment. This growing office consists of approximately three Hearing Officers, three technical staff, and two support staff. We invite recent takers of the California Bar exam, as well as newly admitted attorneys, to apply. We value diversity and inclusion and welcome candidates from all backgrounds

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Salary information – CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey.

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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-455299
Position #(s):
880-350-5778-001
Working Title:
Hearing Officer
Classification:
ATTORNEY
$7,737.00 - $10,168.00 A
$8,708.00 - $11,676.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
State Water Resources Control Board

Department Information

The State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) and the nine (9) Regional Water Quality Control Boards (RWQCB) (collectively the Water Boards) work to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations.

The Water Boards value diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to preserve, enhance, and restore the quality of California’s water resources and drinking water for the protection of the environment, public health, and all beneficial uses, and to ensure proper water resource allocation and efficient use, for the benefit of present and future generations. Join the Water Boards to improve the lives of all Californians.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

In order to be considered for this position, you must include the following:
  • RPA# 24-350-008 in the “Examination or Job Title(s)” section of the State application when submitting a hardcopy application.
  • Active membership in the California State Bar.
Must have Attorney list, transfer, or reinstatement eligibility and be reachable on the certification list. Here is the link to the exam: https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1579. 

An applicant with a college degree obtained outside the United States that does meet accreditation standards must have education records evaluated by a credentials evaluation service. Evaluation of education records will be due during final minimum qualification evaluation of candidate(s). A link of accepted evaluation agencies can be found here: https://www.naces.org/members.

Electronic submittal of applications and attachments through jobs.ca.gov is preferred. Emailed or faxed applications will not be accepted. You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD. 678), including work experience, dates, hours worked, contact names and phone numbers of supervisors on the state application. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD. 678 may be disqualified.

In the hiring interview, the panel will consider education, experience, personal development, personal traits and fitness for the job. In appraising experience, more weight may be given to the breadth of pertinent experience and evidence of the candidate's ability to accept and fulfill increasing responsibilities than to the length of his/her experience. For additional information, you may refer to the class specification.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 12/2/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

State Water Resources Control Board
Attn: Jenna Smith
1001 I Street, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

State Water Resources Control Board
Human Resources Branch - ATTN: Jenna Smith
1001 I Street, 18th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
  • Other - Two recent writing samples are required and must be included.
  • Other - Cover Letter is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Required and must be included. Please see below for specific SOQ requirements.
  • Other - Law school transcripts are rquired and must be included (a photocopy or unofficial transcripts will be accepted).
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

Excellent written and oral communication skills and knowledge/experience in water rights law will be most highly valued. Other desirable qualifications include knowledge of and experience with legal research principles, knowledge of and experience in administrative law; knowledge of and experience in judicial trial, or administrative hearing practice; experience drafting administrative or judicial decisions, such as serving as a judicial clerk or administrative law judge; and demonstrated leadership skills, such as serving as a law review editor or seminar or conference chair or officer in a law-related or public service organization. General civil litigation experience; participation in law journal or moot court; publication in legal or academic journal.

Benefits

Water Board employees may be eligible for benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most permanent, full-time employees, and some permanent, part-time employees. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment.https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Pages/California-State-Civil-Service-Employee-Benefits-Summary.aspx

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 application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Jenna Smith
(916) 323-7904
jenna.smith@waterboards.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Nicole Mullen
(916) 341-6941
Nicole.mullen@waterboards.ca.gov

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:
Shyla Hoffman
(916) 341-5881
shyla.hoffman@waterboards.ca.gov
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.

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted along with the State Application and serves as documentation of candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. It should be typed, no more than two (2) pages in length, single-spaced, using Arial, 12-point font, and normal margins.

The SOQ should describe why the applicant believes they have the experience and qualifications to successfully fulfill this role.

Applications received without the SOQ addressed as stated may not be considered.

Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as a response to the SOQ.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job