Job Posting: Staff Counsel

State Lands Commission

JC-492165
-
Staff Counsel
ATTORNEY IV

$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 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: 10/3/2025

Job Description and Duties

Under the general administrative direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney IV provides expert legal advice and services to the Commission, the Executive Office, and Commission staff in the areas of water boundary law, public trust law, Public Records Act compliance, open meeting laws, premises liability, trespass actions, landlord-tenant law, contract law, environmental laws, administrative law, regulatory compliance, land and natural resources management, rulemaking, boundary and title settlements, real property acquisitions, and litigation. May act in lead capacity over other attorneys and legal interns.



Note: Posted salaries do not reflect the 2 - 4.62% pay reduction in exchange for 3.5 – 8 hours per month of leave arising from the Personal Leave Program 2025. Information related to salary reductions is available in Section 2113 of the CalHR Human Resources Manual.

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

Working Conditions

  • This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the State Lands Commission policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.
  • The successful candidate may initially be required to be in the office at a greater frequency than the mandatory 2 days per week for onboarding and training purposes.
  • An attorney is expected to normally average 40 hours of work per week including accrued leave; however, work weeks of a longer duration may occasionally be necessary.
  • On occasion, work will be required outside of regular business hours and require overnight travel to off-site locations anywhere within or outside the state that may require the use of various transportation modes (airplane, taxi/ride-share, car, train, boat, etc.).

 

Please review the duty statement for full list of working conditions.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-492165
Position #(s):
340-521-5780-005
Working Title:
Staff Counsel
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV
$11,993.00 - $16,096.00
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:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
ASD Sacramento
Work Week:
Monday - Friday

Department Information

The California State Lands Commission provides the people of California with effective stewardship of the lands, waterways, and resources entrusted to its care through preservation, restoration, enhancement, responsible economic development, and the promotion of public access.

 

We value diversity at all levels and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where our employees from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences are able to leverage their strengths and unique insights to further the Commission’s mission and thrive.

 

Department Website: https://www.slc.ca.gov/

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CAStateLands

 

Instagram: www.instagram.com/castatelands

Special Requirements

Applying electronically for this Job Control is preferred. Paper application packages must contain the Job Control number and classification title on the first page of the application in order to be processed and included in the applicant pool.

 

NOTE:

 

·Applicants must not include any hyperlinks or confidential information such as SSN, DOB, sex, marital status, age, DL number (unless required), LEAP status, disability information, Equal Opportunity Employer information, exam results, salary, I-9 information, and criminal history in their application package. Confidential information provided in the application package will be redacted.

 

·When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

 

·Only required or requested documents will be reviewed and considered by the hiring unit.

 

·Applicants must provide employment history on their STD. 678 application form. Attaching a resume or cover letter does not take place of the employment history sections on the STD. 678. Incomplete STD. 678 application forms may not be considered.

 

·Generative Artificial Intelligence shall not be used when completing any component of your application package.

 

·Do not submit a second application by paper when applying electronically.

 

·SROA/Surplus or Reinstatement applicants MUST check the applicable box as their basis of eligibility when submitting their application package electronically. Additionally, SROA/Surplus applicants must provide their layoff letter and title it as “SROA Letter” or “Surplus Letter” when applying electronically.

 

Bar License Requirement: Candidates must identify their Bar License Number on their STD 678 State Application.  

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: 10/3/2025

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.

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:

State Lands Commission
ASD Sacramento
Attn: Human Resources
100 Howe Ave, Suite 100 - South
Sacramento, CA 95825

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

State Lands Commission
ASD Sacramento
Human Resources
100 Howe Ave, Suite 100 - South
Sacramento, CA 95825
Deliver applications to the receptionist Monday - Friday (excluding holidays) between
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 required and must be included.
  • Other -

    Supplemental Questionnaire. Please see "Supplemental Questionnaire" section below for instructions.

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:

•Excellent communication skills.

•The ability to develop and distill complex concepts and arguments.

•The ability to work independently and as part of a team that may include representatives and staff from

  non-legal sectors.

•The ability to meet goals fully and in a timely fashion.

•The ability to travel anywhere within or outside the state as needed to attend meetings, hearings, or

  events.

•In addition to English, possess verbal and/or written fluency in any other languages.



General Qualifications: Ability to adhere to the general qualifications outlined in California Code of Regulations 2 CCR 172.


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.

Human Resources Contact:
Courtney Fujitani
(916) 486-6847
courtney.fujitani@slc.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:
Allison Lyman
(916) 574-2494
eeo@slc.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.

Supplemental Questionnaire

Please provide a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) addressing the following prompts. Each question provides information on your qualifications and your responses are used to evaluate your application. Applications received without a SQ will not be considered.  Your SQ responses should be numbered, listed in the same order as shown below, typed in Arial 12-point font, and the entire SQ should be limited to 5 pages, single-spaced.

 

1.Describe your experience in producing clear, logical, and professional legal writing and written advocacy. Examples include contracts, leases, legal pleadings, briefs, motions, tentative orders, opinions, case or negotiation evaluations, and issue analyses.

 

2.Describe your experience in oral advocacy or presentations in a public forum. This may include adversarial proceedings in court, public informational or educational appearances, along with other appearances where you are required to analyze and respond to information without a script or extemporaneously.

 

3.The Commission is a public agency that manages a wide range of activities on public land throughout the state. Commission attorneys are called on to provide legal advice in many diverse practice areas. Describe your education and experiences that demonstrate an interest in public service and describe why you are interested in joining the Commission’s legal team.

 

4.Commission attorneys work closely with scientific and technical staff from many disciplines. The ability to understand scientific and technical information and incorporate it into legal analyses and recommendations is an important qualification. Describe your experience working with a multidisciplinary team or on a case or project in which you had to incorporate, review, or interpret scientific or technical material. You may use a specific example that showcases your abilities in this area.

 

5.The California State Lands Commission is committed to attracting and sustaining a diverse, talented, and capable workforce. Provide a specific example of how you have encouraged or participated in a work, school, or social environment where individual differences and perspectives are valued and supported. This may also include your coursework or clinics you have participated in.

Position Location and Exam Information

Sacramento:

100 Howe Avenue, Suite 100-South
Sacramento, CA 95825
 

***FREE PARKING AND NEAR HWY 50 AND BUS ROUTES***

Exam Information:

To be considered for this position, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, which requires you to complete the applicable exam on CalCareers or have transfer or reinstatement eligibility prior to hire. For information about getting a State job, please visit CalHR's website. If the classification is not listed on this link, an exam is not being administered at this time.

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