Job Posting: Climate and Air Quality Attorney

State Air Resources Board

JC-513073
-
Climate and Air Quality Attorney
ATTORNEY III

$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 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: 4/16/2026

Job Description and Duties

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is a global leader in protecting air quality, fighting climate change, and furthering environmental justice. CARB's Executive Office plans, organizes, and directs the activities of staff to further the Board's mission to protect and preserve California’s air quality while considering the effects on the State’s economy. The Legal Office is part of the Executive Office. Its mission is to provide the highest quality legal advice and representation to the Board and staff to support programmatic efforts to improve air quality to protect public health and the environment and to ensure that all legal obligations of CARB are met in carrying out these efforts. The Legal Office provides legal support to the agency on a variety of complex topics related to the control of air pollution (criteria pollutants, toxic air contaminants, and greenhouse gases), including, but not limited to: adoption, interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of State and federal environmental and administrative laws and regulations, litigation in conjunction with the Attorney General's Office, personnel matters, contracts, conflicts of interest, hearing procedures, and proposed legislation. The Legal Office maintains the primary responsibility for assisting CARB staff in the development of regulations and the documentation necessary to support their adoption. The Legal Office also provides legal assistance to California's 35 Air Pollution Control and Air Quality Management Districts.

Under general direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel, the Deputy Counsel, and the Chief Counsel, the Attorney III in this position is responsible for independently providing written and oral legal advice to CARB's executives, management, and staff on legal issues. As part of this work, the attorney would help develop, implement, defend, and enforce regulations, including regulations related to climate change programs and performs difficult and complex litigation, negotiate disputes, serve as a legislative liaison, appear in hearings, conduct legal research and draft memoranda; respond to legal correspondence; develop strategy and tactics in complex disputes or litigation; and coordinates their actions with other CARB attorneys and enforcement staff as needed to maintain consistent enforcement policy and strategy. These assignments may also include legal support for incentive programs, addressing general law questions, and meeting other legal needs.

The Attorney III in this position will work closely with CARB staff and officials from other federal and State government agencies, on all phases of the development and implementation of the State's climate change and air quality programs. This includes independently developing and drafting regulations and preparing rulemaking materials to ensure regulations can withstand any subsequent legal challenges in both federal and State courts. Key functions of this position include: providing legal advice on requirements of various State and federal environmental laws; review of staff reports, letters, guidance and other documents for potential legal issues relating to interpretation of statutory and regulatory provisions and program implementation; and providing legal assistance to support Board actions. This position will provide CARB Executive Management, CARB staff, the Chief Counsel, Deputy Counsel, and Assistant Chief Counsels with written and oral advice, draft and review legal correspondence and documents, and perform a variety of related legal tasks.

Travel between CARB headquarters (Sacramento and Riverside locations), other offices, and occasionally out of state, as required to complete duties.

This position at the California Air Resource Board (CARB) can be based at any of the following office locations:

  • Headquarters Office in Sacramento, CA
  • Headquarters Office in Riverside, CA

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

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resources Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required. 

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee in the Attorney classification series shall receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the 4.62 percent reduction in pay.

  • Position located in a high-rise building.
  • Requires being stationary, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
  • Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)  
  • Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-513073
Position #(s):
673-110-5795-008
Working Title:
Climate and Air Quality Attorney
Classification:
ATTORNEY III
$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify

CARB values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. CARB believes the diversity of our employees collectively makes up one of the world’s most respected environmental organizations. CARB offers various modern interview options, including remote phone and video interviews.  Join CARB and help us improve the lives of all Californians.

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

Special Requirements

  • The position(s) require(s) a(n) California State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Applicants must include a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) for this recruitment. Applications without an SQ or include an SQ that does not directly answer all the items below will not be considered. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SQ.


Require Name on SQ

Require Job Control Number on SQ

Maximum number of pages: 5 (Arial font, 12 point, single spaced, 1-inch margins)

Describe the importance and estimated number of times in the past three years you have done the following:

  1. Identified available facts of a particular circumstance or case and applied relevant law to reach a conclusion.
  2. Recommended a course of action based upon an evaluation of available facts and relevant law. 
  3. Prepared legal memoranda summarizing pertinent facts, the state of current law, or recommended further action.
  4. Prepared written communications to clients, other decision makers, or other parties summarizing the pertinent facts, the state of current law, and recommended further action or reached a determination. 
  5. Drafted legal documents, such as contracts or agreements, or administrative or judicial filings.

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: 4/16/2026

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 Air Resources Board
Monica Walden
Attn: Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

State Air Resources Board
Monica Walden
Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
The drop-off location is non-operational on weekends and holidays.
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 - Cover Letter
  • Other - Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SQ submission.
  • Other - Writing Sample

    Applicants must include a writing sample for this recruitment. It must consist of a writing sample that analyzes a legal issue. The writing sample serves as documentation of each candidate’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. CARB will not consider applicants who fail to provide a writing sample with their application. Resumes do not take place of the writing sample.


    Require Name on Writing Sample

    Require Job Control Number on Writing Sample

    Maximum number of pages: 10

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:

Candidates should have a demonstrated commitment to advance the underlying objectives of CARB to protect and enhance California's air quality, fight climate change, and improve environmental justice. Candidates should have the demonstrated ability to work with high-level government officials, as well as experience interacting with members of the public, technical staff, and other public agencies, and demonstrated familiarity with the functioning of administrative agencies in State government.

Among other qualifications, the most competitive applicants will have excellent writing, research, oral communication, and organizational skills and be able to:

  • Present statements of fact, law, and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
  • Draft rules and regulations and proposed legislative measures.
  • Develop legal documents necessary to support proposed regulations, defend against legal challenges to government action, and administer public contract, grant, and loan programs.
  • Show knowledge of air quality, climate, environmental justice, and general state government laws (e.g., State and federal Clean Air Acts, Public Records Act, Bagley-Keene Act, California Environmental Quality Act, Public Contracts Code).

Benefits

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


Headquarters

  • Nearby (third-party) Parking
  • Convenient to public transportation
  • Gym
  • Daycare facility
  • Free Parking
  • Located near DOCO and Golden 1 Center
Depot Park/Riverside
  • Free Parking

Contact Information

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

Department Website: http://www.arb.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Claire Scriven
(000) -
Claire.Scriven@arb.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:
EEOP@arb.ca.gov
(000) -
EEOP@arb.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.

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Additional Instructions for Mailing or Drop-Off Application Packages

Applying electronically via CalCareers is highly recommended. If submitting hardcopy applications (mail/drop-off), please email Monica.Walden@arb.ca.gov with the JC number in the subject line to confirm submission. Your email will serve as a time stamp that a document was dropped off before the final filing date. Drop-off applications must be received, and date stamped by 5:00 PM on the final filing date.

NOTE: Applicants must not include Social Security Numbers, LEAP status information or paperwork, Equal Employment Opportunity information, exam result notices or scores, or medical or criminal history information on any document within their 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