Job Posting: Attorney III

Department of Transportation

JC-536846
-
Attorney III
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: 11/11/2026

Job Description and Duties

Will consider Attorney or Attorney IV.

Under the general direction of a Deputy Chief Counsel, Assistant Chief Counsel and/or Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney Ill studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other authorities in the preparation of moderately difficult and/or complex cases, opinions and briefs; prepares and presents cases for trial; and/or does a variety of transactional work.

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

PARF# 42-27-0087 / JC-536846

The Caltrans Legal Division Los Angeles Office is seeking dedicated attorneys to support the Department and the State of California. The successful candidate will join an established team representing the Department in high-stakes litigation and house counsel work.

Caltrans Legal Division is a full service, in-house law office with statewide singular responsibility for meeting Caltrans' diverse litigation and transactional law needs. Caltrans Legal is unique in the state in this regard. The Legal Division represents Caltrans in Superior, Federal and Appellate courts, and before the Office of Administrative Hearings and the State Personnel Board. Utilized by all programs within Caltrans to provide legal representation in a variety of transactional areas, the Legal Division also advises on federal and state statutes, regulations and judicial case-law authority, and how those laws impact Caltrans' policy makers, operational needs, and associated risks.

Caltrans Legal provides excellent training resources and professional development through practical, on-the-job experience, supportive supervision, and teamwork. The division offers statewide committees with members from each of our office (Sacramento/HQ, Oakland, Los Angeles, San Diego and Fresno) to facilitate information sharing and networking, as well as workshops to provide opportunities for all our attorneys to develop statewide relationships and learn about the areas of practice. Caltrans consistently proves to be a great place to learn, develop and hone the skills necessary to become an accomplished practitioner of law. Attorneys may receive promotions in place based on available funds, successful performance, and compliance with labor union requirements.

Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Attorney/ Attorney III/ Attorney IV exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions.  To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.

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

Working Conditions

Position located at 100 S Main St Los Angeles, Los Angeles County.

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans’s evolving telework policy. Caltrans supports telework, recognizing that in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksites with minimum notification if an urgent need arises. The selected candidate will be required to commute to the headquartered location as needed to meet operational needs. Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated headquartered location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-536846
Position #(s):
701-003-5795-XXX
Working Title:
Attorney III
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.
ATTORNEY
$7,969.00 - $10,473.00 A
$8,969.00 - $12,026.00 B
ATTORNEY IV
$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Los Angeles County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Caltrans Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation.

Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.

The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.

Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov 

Director’s EEO Policy: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Director’s EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity

Special Requirements

  • The positions require a CA BAR membership License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

  • Possession of a valid driver’s license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.

    Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment.  If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification.  Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment.  Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent.  Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org.  Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.

    Please take this 1-minute Caltrans Recruitment survey to tell us how you found out about this job. 

    https://forms.office.com/g/RyK102ty4G

    https://youtu.be/oC9wIp8QalI

    Apply today to join our team!  We especially encourage applicants to check out our     Caltrans Career Compass tool!  The Caltrans Career Compass is a tool to assist and help candidates understand and succeed in applying to Caltrans positions.

    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: 11/11/2026

    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. 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:

    Department of Transportation
    N/A
    Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
    Certification Services MS-90
    P O Box 168036
    Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

    Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

    Department of Transportation
    Drop-Off Address
    Caltrans DHR Contact
    Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
    1727 30th Street, MS 90
    Sacramento, CA 95816
    Closed on weekends and State 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
    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:

    • Demonstrated ability to independently manage complex transactional matters and/or litigate cases, including conducting legal research, preparing and arguing law and motion, managing discovery and handling trial proceedings.
    • Strong verbal advocacy and exceptional proficiency in technical legal writing.
    • Ability to work effectively in high-pressure, collaborative team environments.

    Benefits

    Click HERE  to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.

    “Employees in this classification may be eligible for a Recruitment Hire-Above Minimum Authorization salary rate commensurate to CalHR salary laws, rules, and regulations." 

    Contact Information

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

    Human Resources Contact:
    Ellaine Cupino
    (916) 201-8424
    ellaine.cupino@dot.ca.gov
    Hiring Unit Contact:
    Jamie SooHoo
    (916) 651-3512
    jamie.soohoo@dot.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:
    Caltrans EEO Office
    (844) 368-3367
    Ask.eeo@dot.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.

    Important Application Instructions

    The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-536846), PARF# 42-27-0087 and title of the position (Attorney, Attorney III, or Attorney IV) must be included on the STD. 678 form.

    Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.

     

    Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.

     

    NOTE: Do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, resume, or educational transcripts.  Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number, birth date, driver’s license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age.  The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position.  Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.

    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