Job Posting: Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, CEA A

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-515620
-
Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, CEA A
C. E. A.

$10,349.00 - $16,901.00 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: 5/5/2026

Job Description and Duties

Within CDFW, the Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) is a state grant-making agency dedicated to safeguarding California's spectacular biological diversity and wild spaces for the benefit of present and future generations. WCB works in partnership with tribes, conservation organizations, and government agencies to acquire lands and design and implement habitat restoration and public access projects statewide.

Key to this conservation work is this executive-level position managing all of WCB's legal services. The General Counsel is responsible for managing WCB’s legal functions including supervising attorneys and overseeing work of the Office of the Attorney General, developing policies and reviewing policies developed by other WCB programs to ensure they meet legal requirements, representing WCB in meeting with key partners and WCB at its quarterly public meetings, and serving as a member of WCB’s Executive Team.

Join WCB as it launches into new programs, new grants, and new fund sources to accomplish California's conservation goals.

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

Working Conditions

This position is based at 715 P Street, Sacramento. Work is done both in-office and may also be fulfilled from a home office pursuant to a Telework Agreement. Some travel, including overnight, may be required.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-515620
Position #(s):
567-001-7500-005
Working Title:
Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, CEA A
Classification:
C. E. A.
$10,349.00 - $16,901.00 A
CEAs that supervise certain classes in the Attorney series may receive this Special Salary Adjustment.
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

Department of Fish and Wildlife(CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California’s diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.

California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.

Join us and begin a meaningful newcareer!
Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Ability to analyze complex and sensitive legal issues. Ability to multi-task, work independently, and manage a diverse workload. Meet deadlines. Ability to speak at public meetings. Effective as a supervisor/manager.

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: 5/5/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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:

Department of Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address (PO Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Other - A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission. See Filing and SOQ 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.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Examination Information

Statement of Qualifications Process - Weighted 100%

The examination consists of a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) weighted 100%. The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the candidate’s education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities meet the desirable qualifications for the position.

The SOQ serves as documentation of each applicant’s ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Responses should be complete, responsive to the SOQ information in the job bulletin, specific, clear, concise, and include examples. Resumes will not be considered as a substitute for the SOQ. The SOQ will be the only tool used for determining each applicant’s final score and rank on the eligible list. Instructions to complete the SOQ can be found under “Filing and SOQ Instructions”.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

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 position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Christine Park
(916) 902-9033
Christine.Park@Wildlife.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:
Civil Rights Office
(916) 902-9211
civilrights@wildlife.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.

Filing and SOQ Instructions

ONLINE SUBMISSION THROUGH CALCAREERS OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS ARE PREFERRED. Submit your completed SOQ, cover letter, and Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678) via email to examsubmission@wildlife.ca.gov. Include the title of the examination and Job Control (JC) number in the subject line of your email. The Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678) is available through your CalCareer account or the internet at https://jobs.ca.gov/pdf/STD678.pdf. Be sure to include your current email address on your application. Applications may also be mailed. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.


IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE EXAMINATION, INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT:

  • 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 atwww.CalCareers.ca.gov.
  • A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) – The SOQ should clearly indicate “Statement of Qualifications” at the top of the page. The statement should be typed and no more than two pages in length. You do NOT need to include the questions below in your SOQ responses but be sure the numbers of your answers correspond to the numbers of the questions.  You may choose to make some answers shorter or longer than the others, but the responses to each of the questions will be given equal scoring weight. Include specific examples of your experience that demonstrates each of the screening criteria factors in your SOQ. Failure to follow these directions may result in disqualification.

Please address the following items in your SOQ:

1.Describe a legal project on which you led a team, particularly a team that involved both lawyers and non-lawyers, to a successful outcome.  Please also describe a few key personal characteristics that make you effective at leading teams.

 

2.Generally, describe your knowledge and/or experience as an attorney handling complex real estate matters that are not litigation.  Provide two specific matters and describe your role in each.

 

3. What is a specific policy subject relating to a legal matter that you believe needs to be in place for the effective operation of a legal office or department.  Please describe it and why you believe it is important.  (Candidates are not expected to know whether or what policies may already exist at WCB or in its legal office.)

 

4. Describe two specific legal matters in which you were involved as an attorney where important stakeholders played a key role.  If possible, describe matters that involved Native American tribes, disadvantaged communities, or grantees in a grant program.

 

Length of List Eligibility

The results of this examination will only be used to fill the position of Deputy Executive Director and General Counsel, CEA A and may be used to fill subsequent vacancies for this position for a period of up to 12 months. Standard State Applications (STD. 678) will be retained for 12 months. The department may elect to consider new applicants in addition to those previously screened.

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