Job Posting: Attorney IV - Personnel/Investigations

California State Auditor's Office

JC-465378
-
Attorney IV - Personnel/Investigations
ATTORNEY IV

$12,925.00 - $15,627.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

This is a continuous job posting. Applications will be reviewed by the following cutoff dates or until filled:
- 02/26/25
- 04/09/25
- 06/11/25
- 08/04/25

The attorneys at the California State Auditor's Office support the State Auditor, work in an independent, non-partisan capacity, advising the State Auditor on the laws that apply to government agencies and programs in California, including those that apply to the State Auditor's Office.You may work independently or in a team environment to provide formal and informal oral and written legal advice on a variety of issues supporting the State Auditor's Office.You will assist the Chief Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel, and other employees in performing legal research, analysis, and legal tasks.The office is independent from the Executive Branch and employs approximately 200 civil servants who are excluded from collective bargaining. Working under the direction of the Chief Counsel and with a team of human resources professionals, you will also provide advice, counsel, and legal representation as requested, on all personnel matters, including, but not limited to, employee counseling and discipline, medical actions, state and federal accommodation and leave laws, wage, hour and benefits issues, and the development, implementation, and enforcement of personnel policies and practices. You will also provide legal advice and support to investigators engaged in workplace investigations pursuant to the Whistleblower Protection Act. You will also provide occasional legal assistance relating to audits. Specifically, you will:

Personnel
- Draft personnel actions and ensure human resources policies are aligned with applicable laws and regulations.
- Partner with the human resources office on a variety of issues including performance management, workers compensation, reasonable accommodation, sexual harassment prevention, equal employment opportunity, the Family Medical Leave Act, and other applicable laws and regulations governing public employment.

Investigations
- Perform legal research and provide advice and counsel to investigators conducting investigations pursuant to the Whistleblower Protection Act.

Audits
- Provide highly critical and time-sensitive preliminary legal research and analysis to support the State Auditor Office's audit analyses.
- Upon approval of performance audits or the commencement of other types of audits you will:
   - Gather and analyze relevant laws and other legal materials, such as judicial precedents, proposed legislation, administrative decisions, and other legal authorities  
   - Interpret and apply those laws to particular regulatory programs or legal issues identified as part of the audit.
   - Communicate the results of the research and analysis, both verbally and in writing, to management and others within the State Auditor's Office.
   - Review audit reports and related correspondence for legal content and consistency, including the development and review of audit recommendations involving legal compliance or changes in law.
- Perform legislative research and provide legal advice on pending legislation that may impact the State Auditor's Office; determine the content and impact of proposed laws and regulations on the operations, including the rights, duties, and authority, of the State Auditor's Office; summarize and report the results of such research.
- Draft and interpret laws and regulations; draft and review legal documents, including subpoenas, court documents, and contracts; conduct depositions; represent the State Auditor's Office in legal matters; and, on occasion, represent or assist other counsel in litigation on behalf of or in defense of the State Auditor's Office.
- Provide appropriate legal advice on a broad range of legal issues, including, but not limited to, compliance with laws related to state and local government, conflicts of interest, public meetings and records access, public contracting, and laws related to confidentiality.
- Provide information and briefings to Members of the Legislature, legislative staff and other stakeholders, as requested by office management.

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

Working Conditions

  • This position is eligible for participation in the office’s hybrid telework program. Work at the alternate worklocation must be in California and conducted in a space that is ergonomically sound, private, distraction-free,and has safe working conditions to be eligible to telework.
  • Work performed in the office is in an air-conditioned high-rise building with elevator access and both natural andartificial lighting.
  • Work may require sitting for an extended period of time using a personal computer and the use of standardoffice equipment, such as phones, copiers or scanners.
  • Work may require periodic non-standard work hours and work during weekends to meet workload needs anddemands.

Visa Sponsorship

This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without theneed for a visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The California State Auditor's Office is not an E-Verify employer.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-465378
Position #(s):
339-100-5780-900
Working Title:
Attorney IV - Personnel/Investigations
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV
$12,925.00 - $15,627.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

We are the independent oversight arm of the California State Legislature and the custodians of California’s Whistleblower Hotline. Our mission is to provide objective evaluations and effective solutions that enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of California government for the people it serves. We are trusted to produce unbiased, nonpartisan reports that provide recommendations to solve some of our state’s toughest problems.

At the California State Auditor’s Office, we believe that our mission to enhance the transparency, accountability, and performance of government also improves the lives of Californians. The many people helping us achieve this mission are the backbone and heart of our organization. We aspire to create a workplace that celebrates their incredible contributions and talents, and embraces their unique perspectives, identities, and values. We seek to develop an environment where everyone feels valued, respected and inspired in their commitment to public service.

Department Website: http://www.auditor.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting, and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment.

State Auditor Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining.

Additional hires may be made from this bulletin if positions become available.

Application Instructions

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: Until Filled

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. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

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:

California State Auditor's Office
N/A
Attn: Human Resources
621 Capitol Mall, Ste. 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

California State Auditor's Office
N/A
Human Resources Office
621 Capitol Mall, Ste. 1200
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.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) responding to the three questions below using specific examples of your education, training and experience. Your SOQ will help us determine who to interview for the position. Please limit your response to three pages. We will not consider applications that do not include responses to the questions or exceed the page limit. 
    1. Explain the State Auditor's role in California government. Please also describe your past experience with any audit or investigatory work (including any work with the State Auditor's Office if applicable), your interactions with that work, and what you learned from it.
    2. Describe the aspects of your work experience that you think make you especially well-qualified to work in the State Auditor's Office. Include a description of your experience with laws generally applicable to government operations.
    3. Describe your familiarity with personnel matters, such as employee counseling and discipline, medical actions, state and federal accommodation and leave laws, wage, hour and benefits issues, and the development, implementation, and enforcement of personnel policies and practices. Please also describe your level of experience drafting adverse actions and/or participating in administrative hearings.
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:

Who are you?

  • You have experience reviewing and analyzing complex and sensitive issues concerning a wide variety of legal issues.
  • You have experience working with the Legislature, other state agencies, and high-level Executive or Judicial Branch staff.
  • You have experience providing advice to and representing high-ranking state officials on a broad range of legal issues.
  • You have experience drafting legal documents including statutes, regulations, contracts and related procurement documents, and pleadings.
  • You have a proven ability to handle large and varied assignments involving a wide range and frequently changing subject matters.
  • You have experience working well under pressure and thrive in such an environment.
  • You adapt easily to changing situations and assignments.
  • You have a history of working cooperatively and dealing effectively with others.
  • You have the ability to work on several concurrent projects with different groups, each on a predetermined timeline.
  • You are familiar with the laws generally applicable to state and local government.
  • You have experience representing the State before the State Personnel Board and in other administrative and judicial proceedings.
  • You have experience conducting and/or managing workplace investigations, drafting personnel actions and human resources policies, and advising management and human resources professionals on employment-related laws and regulations.

Why should you join us?

  • You want to work in a professional environment with a team dedicated to making a difference for Californians and future generations.

  • You are highly collaborative, solution-oriented, and enjoy challenging and engaging work.
  • You have a strong work ethic and thrive when working under pressure.
  • You have excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to clearly explain legal issues and legal conclusions to non-lawyers.
  • You have experience practicing labor and employment law, and are interested in investigations and audits work.
  • You desire a monthly salary range of $12,925 - $15,627 with a 5% pay differential as well as a longevity bonus.

Benefits

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

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