Job Bulletin - Assistant Chief Counsel

Our Mission

The California State Auditor promotes the efficient and effective management of public funds and programs by providing to citizens and the State independent, objective, accurate, and timely evaluations of state and local governments' activities.

Job Control Number: JC 129975

Position

Classification: Assistant Chief Counsel
Position Number: 339-100-5871-900
Permanent/Full-time

Compensation

Annual Salary Range: $12,312-$14,401

Duties

Under the general direction of the chief counsel of the California State Auditor's Office (office), the assistant chief counsel is responsible for managing and directing the day-to-day activities of the Legal Office and for ensuring the timely and accurate delivery of legal services. The assistant chief counsel develops and implements innovative ways to serve the legal needs of a small organization that handles an extremely broad and complex range of legal issues. The assistant chief counsel, jointly with the chief counsel, has significant participation in developing office-wide policies and strategies and for ensuring that any such policies and strategies are consistent with applicable law. The incumbent has a high degree of contact with the highest ranking elected and state officials and has direct input into decisions of statewide impact. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Assist with managing the day-to-day operations of the Legal Office including planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the work of the legal staff.
  • Develop and implement effective policies and practices for the effective delivery of legal services within the office.
  • Guide and assist attorneys in providing legal support for audit findings and recommendations that have statewide impact.
  • Manage, direct, and coordinate litigation and oversee outside counsel who provide litigation support to the office.
  • Develop and implement effective policies and practices for issuing and responding to subpoenas, requests for records and other legal matters.
  • Provide testimony before the Legislature.
  • Perform the most complex and sensitive legal work of the office.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Experience managing or supervising attorneys, including planning, organizing, and directing legal work
  • Experience handling personnel matters.
  • Ability to accurately appraise legal problems, perform legal research, and correctly apply legal principles, evidentiary rules and precedents to propose solutions.
  • Knowledge of professional ethics rules as they relate to the practice of law and particularly the role of government attorneys.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with a non-legal audience.
  • Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others.
  • Dependability and the ability to adjust to shifting priorities while meeting deadlines.
  • Experience drafting legal documents, including pleadings, statues, adverse actions, and regulations.
  • Experience acting as a legal advisor to executive management in a government setting.
  • Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, flexibility, and confidentiality.
  • Litigation experience.
  • Interest or experience with redistricting.

Selection Process

The California State Auditor is part of the merit-based California civil service selection system. The civil service selection system consists of two simple steps: exams and hiring. This job announcement is part of the hiring step in the process. If you have not yet completed the exam for this position, please visit: https://jobs.ca.gov to take the exam. You can still apply for the position but must complete the exam process before you will be considered for a hiring interview.

Current state employees with status in the Assistant Chief Counsel classification (class), lateral transfers from an equivalent class, former state employees who can reinstate into this class, and those reachable on a current employment list for this class may apply. A training and development assignment may be considered. All appointments will be made in accordance with applicable personnel laws and rules. Only those appearing most qualified will be interviewed. Additional hires may be made from this bulletin if positions become available.

Application Requirements

To be considered, you must submit a signed state application (Std. 678) and Statement of Qualifications (SOQ). The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how your education, training, experience, and skills meet the desired qualifications and qualify you for the position. (The SOQ must address your experience in performing the duties of the position and any desirable qualifications you possess.) The SOQ serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing and should be typed and no longer than two pages in length.

All interested applicants must submit a signed state application Std. 678. Applications without an SOQ will NOT be accepted.

Requirement

Membership in the State Bar of California. (Applicants must have active membership in the State Bar before they will be eligible for appointment.)

Send a completed Std. 678 and SOQ to:

California State Auditor
Human Resources Office
621 Capitol Mall, Ste 1200
Sacramento, CA 95814

Or

HR@auditor.ca.gov

You may also apply electronically through your Cal Career account on the CalHR website.

FINAL FILING DATE: October 31, 2018

Contact Information

Olivia Maloney
(916) 445-0255, ext. 581
oliviam@auditor.ca.gov

California Relay Service:
1-800-735-2929 (TTY)
1-800-735-2922 (Voice)

Selection Process

Any applicant receiving a conditional job offer will be subject to a background check, fingerprinting and an inquiry to the CA Department of Justice to disclose criminal records prior to appointment. All State Auditor's Office employees are excluded from collective bargaining.

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer that actively pursues and hires a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, disability (mental or physical), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, or any other factor that is not related to the job.

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.