Job Posting: Senior Fair Employment and Housing Counsel (Specialist)

California Civil Rights Department

JC-360556
-
Senior Fair Employment and Housing Counsel (Specialist)
SENIOR FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING COUNSEL (SPECIALIST)

$10,225.00 - $13,118.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 4/3/2023

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel, the Senior FEH Counsel supports the Legal Division’s affirmative civil rights enforcement work by representing the Department in litigation brought under the Fair Employment and Housing Act, Ralph Civil Rights Act, Unruh Civil Rights Act, and other statutes in the Department’s jurisdiction, and by providing other legal support for the Legal Division’s operation. The Senior FEH Counsel will conduct their own litigation independently with minimal supervision from an Assistant Chief Counsel, as well as contribute significantly to the litigation of the Department’s larger cases working cooperatively with other attorneys of varying levels of seniority. Duties of the Senior FEH Counsel include, but are not limited to:

 


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

Working Conditions

The demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.

  • Requires daily use of a personal computer and related software applications at a workstation.
  • Requires ability to complete tasks that typically may require making repetitive hand movements in the performance of daily duties, with or without reasonable accommodations and modifications to facilitate such tasks.
  • Requires prolonged use of a workstation for 6.5 to 7 hours per day.
  • Requires dependability and excellent attendance records.
  • Requires occasional travel to attend meetings and trainings and to conduct depositions, trials, interviews, and mediations.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-360556
Position #(s):
326-410-6115-XXX
Working Title:
Senior Fair Employment and Housing Counsel (Specialist)
Classification:
SENIOR FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING COUNSEL (SPECIALIST)
$10,225.00 - $13,118.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Civil Rights Department (CRD) formerly the Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH or Department) is the civil rights enforcement agency for the State of California. CRD’s mission is to protect all people in California from employment, housing and public accommodation discrimination, human trafficking and hate violence.

The CRD is the largest state civil rights enforcement agency in the country. It enforces the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Unruh Civil Rights Act, Disabled Person Act, Ralph Civil Rights Act and the California Tracking Victims Protection Act. The Department has jurisdiction over both private and public entities operating within the State of California, including corporate entities, private sector companies that contract with the State of California, and all State department and Local governments.

The CRD receives, investigates and initiates individual and systemic discrimination complaints in its five offices throughout California. CRD’s Legal Division ligates individual, class, group and system cases in all California jurisdictions, including state and federal courts. It also leads education and outreach efforts to civil rights stakeholders. CRD’s Legal Division employs over thirty attorneys and staff throughout California.

These positions can be filled at any of our offices below: 

CRD Headquarters:
2218 Kausen Drive, Suite 100, Elk Grove, California 95758 or 

CRD District Offices:
Oakland: 555 12th Street Oakland, CA 94627
Los Angeles: 320 West 4th Street, 10th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90013

 

"In accordance with Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-33-20 and, as a result of the COVID 19 rapid outbreak, The California Civil Rights Department is closed to the public until further notice. Applications may still be submitted via mail or online. Virtual interviews via the web portal or phone will be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager- standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit."

Telework Opportunity
CRD  supports telework for employees who can perform their essential functions remotely, as operationally allowed.This position has been approved for hybrid telework agreement.  

 

Selected candidate will be assigned and may be required to travel to a CRD designated home office for business purposes. CRD home office location will be assigned based on the closest geographical home location of the candidate.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.

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: 4/3/2023

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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:

California Civil Rights Department
Attn: Debbie Berman
2218 Kausen Drive
Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

California Civil Rights Department
Debbie Berman
2218 Kausen Drive
Suite 100
Elk Grove, CA 95758
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.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    Candidates are REQUIRED to complete a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard State application. Only those candidates who submit all required documents by the final filing date will be considered.  Resumes DO NOT take the place of the Statement of Qualifications. Applications without the SOQ will not be considered. Please see the SOQ instructions below for content and formatting information.

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:
  • Exceptional leadership skills.
  • Knowledge of and experience with civil rights laws; litigation; public and administrative law; and laws, rules, and procedures governing the administrative and operational functions of state government.
  • Knowledge of and experience with the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
  • Ability to manage conflict and sensitive issues.
  • Ability to use sound judgment.
  • Ability to work with people, including opposing counsel, in a professional and civil manner.
  • Commitment to public sector service.
  • Ability to speak a second language (bilingual) or American Sign Language preferred.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

 

Additional Application Instructions

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

All information regarding your employment history must be included on the State Employment Application STD. 678. Applications that are submitted blank or with “see resume” in place of duties performed or applications received without the following information for each job entry will be considered incomplete and will not be accepted:
• "To" and "from" dates (month/day/year)
• Hours worked per week
• Private sector job titles
• Supervisor name and phone number
• Job duties performed
• State employees must list the specific departments for which they worked and indicate the specific civil service classification titles held (not working titles).
Transcripts: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcript for verification. If selected, you will be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire. Foreign transcripts must include official verification of U.S equivalency prior to appointment by an organization found here. 
Personally Identifiable Information:
Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.

Statement of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your application. Do not submit a cover letter. The SOQ serves as documentation of each candidate’s skills, relevant experience, and ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please answer each question separately. Your response to these questions should be no longer, cumulatively, than six pages in length, using double-spacing and 12-point Times New Roman font.

 

1.    Why are you interested in serving as a Senior FEH Counsel with the Civil Rights Department?

 

2.    Describe your familiarity with and experience litigating the civil rights laws that the Civil Rights Department has jurisdiction to enforce.

 

3.    Describe your experience conducting pre-suit investigations, drafting complaints, conducting discovery, engaging in dispositive motion practice, and trying cases.

 

4.    Describe your experience litigating in California state court.

 


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