Job Posting: Attorney III

California Civil Rights Department

JC-485633
-
Attorney III
ATTORNEY III

$10,536.00 - $14,879.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 8/7/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney III supports the Legal Division’s affirmative civil rights enforcement work by representing the Department in litigation brought under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Ralph Civil Rights Act, Unruh Civil Rights Act, and other statutes in the Department’s jurisdiction, and by providing other legal support for the Legal Division’s operation. The Attorney III conducts their own litigation independently with minimal supervision from an Assistant Chief Counsel, as well as contributes significantly to the litigation of the Department’s larger cases working cooperatively with other attorneys of varying levels of seniority.

Hire Above Minimum Information:
The Attorney III qualifies for a Hire Above Minimum" (HAM). The starting salary will be $11,695.

This position is Limited Term for 12 months and may be extended for up to 24 months or become Permanent in the future.

Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Application packets received without an SOQ will not be considered. SOQ instructions appear at the bottom of this posting.

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

Working Conditions

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent, with or without a reasonable accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of the job:

  • Requires daily use of a personal computer and related software applications at a workstation.
  • Requires ability to complete tasks that typically may require making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties, with or without reasonable accommodations and modifications to facilitate such tasks.
  • Requires prolonged use of a workstation for 6.5 to 7 hours per day.
  • Requires dependability and excellent attendance records.
  • Requires occasional travel to attend meetings and trainings and to conduct depositions, trials, interviews, and mediations.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-485633
Position #(s):
326-410-5795-959
Working Title:
Attorney III
Classification:
ATTORNEY III
$10,536.00 - $14,879.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Department Information

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) enforces the state’s robust civil rights laws, including the Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, the Disabled Persons Act, the Ralph Civil Rights act, and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.

CRD has jurisdiction over complaints against public and private entities operating in California. With offices in six locations throughout California, CRD receives, investigates, and initiates individual and systemic discrimination complaints. CRD’s Legal Division provides strategic guidance in complex investigations; litigates individual and pattern-or-practice cases in state and federal courts throughout the state; and provides general counsel support to the Department. CRD’s Legal Division employs approximately seventy attorneys and staff throughout California.

This position is hybrid and will require scheduled in-office days to be established with your supervisor in accordance with Department policy. 

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer, candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
This position can be filled in either our Oakland, Sacramento, or Los Angeles offices.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. CRD Human Resources Survey (Rev. Oct 2022) (surveymonkey.com)

Department Website: https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

We review your job application to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications. Please ensure to provide detailed information in your application.

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: 8/7/2025

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:

California Civil Rights Department
Human Resources
Attn: Kathleen Vang
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

California Civil Rights Department
Human Resources
Kathleen Vang
651 Bannon Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
09:00 AM - 04:00 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application in order to be considered.  Please see instructions below.
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:
  • Exceptional leadership skills.
  • Knowledge of and experience with civil rights laws; litigation; public and administrative law; and laws, rules, and procedures governing state government's administrative and operational functions.
  • Ability to multi-task.
  • Openness to feedback and guidance from supervisors and managers.
  • Commitment to collaboration and promoting a supportive work culture.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Knowledge of and experience with the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
  • Ability to manage conflict and sensitive issues.
  • Ability to use sound judgment.
  • Ability to work with people, including opposing counsel, in a professional and civil manner.
  • Commitment to public sector service.

  • Ability to speak a second language (bilingual) or American Sign Language preferred.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

Statement of Qualification Instructions

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

Attorney III - Legal Division

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. Do not submit a cover letter. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s skills, relevant experience, and ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please answer each question separately. Your response to these questions should be no longer, cumulatively, than six pages in length, using double-spacing and 12-point Times New Roman font.

1. Why are you interested in serving as an Attorney III with the Civil Rights Department?

2. Describe your familiarity with and experience in litigating civil rights cases under the laws that the Civil Rights Department has jurisdiction to enforce.  Please include any experience litigating systemic civil rights cases, including group/class, class action, and/or multi-plaintiff cases.

3. Describe your experience conducting pre-suit investigations and conducting discovery, including developing investigation plans, drafting discovery requests and responses, reviewing discovery responses, engaging in meet and confer, and interviewing and/or deposing parties or witnesses.

4. Describe your experience engaging in motion practice including conducting research, drafting briefs, and conducting oral argument.

5. Describe your experience representing clients and/or working with unrepresented persons in situations where you advised such persons about their legal rights and/or provided general legal information.



Additional Application Instructions

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.

All information regarding your employment history must be included on the State Employment Application STD. 678.

• "To" and "from" dates (month/day/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Private sector job titles
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Job duties performed
• State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).

Transcripts: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found here. 

Personally Identifiable Information:
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.

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