Job Posting: Deputy General Counsel

Public Employees Retirement System

JC-529480
-
Deputy General Counsel
C. E. A.

$13,472.00 - $20,966.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Job Description and Duties

This recruitment requires a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). Responses to the identified qualification factors are required for this CEA recruitment. Please see the instructions for the SOQ under the Special Requirements section of this job posting.

Anticipated Interview Dates: We anticipate holding in-person interviews on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. We look forward to meeting with you!

Do you enjoy tackling complex legal issues while helping shape the direction of an organization? Are you a strategic legal leader who enjoys partnering with executives and senior management on sensitive and high-impact matters? If so, the Deputy General Counsel for Investments and Contracts role at CalPERS may be right for you!

The Legal Office represents CalPERS in litigation and provides legal advice regarding all legal issues at CalPERS, including the areas of health care, fiduciary matters, ethics, contracts, public records, and open meetings and investment related matters.

Under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel is a senior operational leader in the General Counsel's office. The Deputy General Counsel also performs complex and sensitive legal work for CalPERS, provides legal advice to CalPERS executive and senior management staff, and assists in policy development and strategic planning.

    Telework Information: This position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule, with up to two days of remote work and three days or more onsite, per week.

    Sponsorship: CalPERS does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

    This position will run until filled with cutoff dates for review. The first cutoff date is August 31, 2026 followed by every Sunday until filled.

    How did you hear about this position? Tell us in this brief survey.

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

    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-529480
    Position #(s):
    275-110-7500-007
    Working Title:
    Deputy General Counsel
    Classification:
    C. E. A.
    $13,472.00 - $20,966.00 C

    This is an incentive eligible position. The incumbent will be eligible for an annual incentive award of up to 15% of salary.

    # of Positions:
    1
    Work Location:
    Sacramento County
    Telework:
    Hybrid
    Job Type:
    Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

    Department Information

    The California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) is the nation’s largest public pension fund, providing retirement and health benefits to public employees, retirees, and their families. Headquartered in downtown Sacramento, we are a destination employer with an international reputation for leadership and innovation. At CalPERS, we’re committed to people – the people we serve, our team members, and the larger community around us. CalPERS is situated near the Napa Valley, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and other desirable destinations, and we offer competitive benefit packages, compensation, and opportunities for advancement.

    If you are interested in becoming part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, CalPERS invites you to apply for this employment opportunity. To find out more about our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts, visit our website!

    To take a look at CalPERS as a destination employer, view this YouTube video.

    Special Requirements

    STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ)

    An SOQ is required and serves as the examination for this CEA recruitment and must be included with your application.

    Please provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Applications received without an SOQ or those that do not respond to the specific questions below will not be considered.

    The SOQ must be typed, titled “Statement of Qualifications,” and each response must be numbered and list all relevant experience, education, and training, including places of employment, dates, and duties performed. The SOQ must not exceed three pages in length and must not have font smaller than 11 point.

    In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following SOQ factors provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate and must address the following:
    1. Knowledge of and experience in California health benefits law and principles; California state government law and procedures regarding procurement and contracting; investment structures (e.g., partnerships, LLCs), investment funds (co-mingled, direct, fund of funds), and alternative investment vehicles; government employment law and procedures, and California public agency law including conflicts of interest, confidentiality, public records, and open meetings.
    2. Experience in drafting and reviewing complex contracts including those involving investments, IT and procurement.
    3. Experience as a key member of a leadership team overseeing a large team of legal professionals and contracted outside legal counsel; demonstrated ability to think strategically and function effectively as a member of a top management team; experience building and maintaining employee engagement.
    Note: Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be evaluated or considered as responses to the Statement of Qualifications.

    Applications received without the SOQ or with a SOQ not properly formatted will not be considered.

    Career Services & Outreach

    Need help with your state application, resume, Statement of Qualifications, or interview preparation?

    The CalPERS Career Services & Outreach (CSO) team provides comprehensive support throughout the CalPERS hiring process. Our services include one-on-one online consultations for application assistance, Statement of Qualification review, and interview preparation. To schedule an appointment and receive personalized guidance from our team, please use the following booking link: CalPERS Career Services Consultations.

    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 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:

    Public Employees Retirement System
    Postal
    Attn: JC-529480/IP
    Human Resources Division, Recruitment
    P. O. Box 942718
    Sacramento, CA 94229-2718

    Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

    Public Employees Retirement System
    Drop-Off
    HRSD, EIR JC-529480/IP
    400 Q Street, Lincoln Plaza North
    1st floor drop box by security desk
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    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.
    • Statement of Qualifications - In addition to completing your online job application, you must provide a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for the hiring manager’s review. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions and questions for the SOQ. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. We ask that you not use Artificial Intelligence assistance when composing your written response. Written responses are an attempt to assess and gain an understanding of your personal writing and communication skills and abilities.
    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.

    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:
    • Ability to manage supervising and staff attorneys and outside counsel.
    • Ability to advise executive leadership on highly complex and sensitive legal issues, offer innovative solutions to manage and mitigate risk, and support the organization's mission and objectives.
    • Knowledge of contracting, investments, and procurement law.
    • Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing, with all levels of staff and the public.

    Examination Information

    The required SOQ serves as the examination for this CEA recruitment.

    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

    CalPERS team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and collective bargaining agreements.

    Some added benefits CalPERS offers include:
    • Alternate Work Schedules
    • Flexible Work Hours
    • Onsite childcare facility
    • Onsite fitness center
    • Onsite café and nearby restaurants
    • Free onsite parking available Mondays and Fridays 
    • Free offsite parking available with shuttle service Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 
    For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website. For more details about employee benefits, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

    Contact Information

    The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

    Human Resources Contact:
    CalPERS Careers
    (916) 795-3065
    Careers@calpers.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:
    CalPERS EEO
    (916) 795-3675
    EEO@calpers.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.

    Additional Information

    Live Scan
    Candidates are required to submit to a criminal history review process utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.

    CalPERS Disclosure Requirements
    If employed, you may be subject to rules imposed by Personal Trading Regulations and Conflict of Interest Code that apply to CalPERS team members, which require disclosure of certain investment information and use of a designated trading platform for securities transactions, as well as filing a Statement of Economic Interest (Form 700)

    Background Investigation
    In addition to Live Scan, this position requires additional background screening prior to employment.

    Please do not include any confidential information in any documents in your application package. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your social security number, date of birth, marital status, personal photos, a copy of your driver’s license, and equal employment opportunity data.

    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