Job Posting: PAGA Unit Senior Attorney

Labor and Workforce Development Agency

JC-520878
-
PAGA Unit Senior Attorney
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: 6/23/2026

Job Description and Duties

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THIS POSITION MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR A HYBRID WORK SCHEDULE. THE AMOUNT OF TELEWORK IS AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEPARTMENT AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS BUSINESS NEEDS ARISE.

Are you a top-notch attorney looking to take your career to the next level? The Labor and Workforce Development Agency (LWDA), a dynamic cabinet-level executive branch agency, is seeking an exceptional Attorney IV to implement a key priority of the Governor--reform of the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA).  

Under the general direction of the PAGA Unit Attorney Supervisor, the PAGA Unit Senior Attorney (Attorney IV) will focus primarily on implementing and administering the new PAGA employer cure process, providing a new avenue for effective, early resolution of PAGA claims.  Attorney IVs will handle the most sensitive and complex PAGA cure proposals, working with a large degree of independence within a small, collegial team.

This position may be filled in one of the following locations: Sacramento, Los Angeles, Oakland, or San Francisco. Please indicate your preferred location on your application.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of California's workforce.

Position exists at 1416 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

This position is headquartered at the New Labor Agency Building (NLAB), a newly remodeled high-rise building. Located in the heart of Downtown Sacramento and in close proximity of the State Capitol and the Golden1 Center, this beautiful and modern building provides the following amenities: Break areas, wellness/lactation rooms, coffee points, a fitness center with private showers, a Career Center for LWDA Employees, a micro market, building-wide WiFi, an outdoor terrace, bike storage, nearby public transit options, and much more.

Schedule: The duties of this position regularly take place between 8AM - 5PM. A hybrid telework schedule is an option, but is at the discretion of the supervisor, operational needs, and guiding authorities.

This position is out stationed in either Sacramento, Los Angeles, Oakland, or San Francisco. California Government Code Section 14200 requires employees to reside in California to telecommute. Employees are required to report to their outstation and headquarters office, as needed. Travel expenses to and from the assigned outstation facility is the responsibility of the employee. Travel expenses to and from Unit Headquarters (Sacramento) will be the Agency's responsibility.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click here to visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

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

Working Conditions

Visa Sponsorship
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

Employees in this position work extensively on computers either in an Agency or home office environment. Attorneys must handle their own word processing, and administrative support is limited. This position may require occasional in-state travel, either locally, or for one to two-night stays at other locations within California, based on assignments. This is a full-time, Monday through Friday, position. Occasionally, you may work beyond the average work week of 40-hour. There is some flexibility on work schedules, which will be determined after hire in consultation with the attorney's immediate supervisor.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-520878
Position #(s):
397-101-5780-008
Working Title:
PAGA Unit Senior Attorney
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV
$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A
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
Work Shift:
8:00am – 5:00pm
Work Week:
Monday-Friday

Department Information

The California Labor & Workforce Development Agency (LWDA) is a dynamic Executive Branch Agency that stands at the forefront of driving positive change by protecting and empowering California's workforce and economy. LWDA supports and oversees seven departments, panels, and boards in our shared mission to ensure safe and fair workplaces, deliver critical worker benefits, and promote good jobs for all. Working toward our vision of an inclusive California economy, we welcome applicants who strive to contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: https://www.labor.ca.gov

Special Requirements

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at www.calcareers.ca.gov.

Please only submit ONE application.  Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are unable to apply electronically through your CalCareer account, please mail a completed and signed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 and application package to the mailing address provided in the “Application Instructions’ section below and ensure the following:

  • Clearly indicate the Job Code #, Position Number and the Classification Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment STD Form 678.

  • Clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (list, transfer, reinstatement, etc.) in the “Explanations” section located on Page 3 of your State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.

  • Remove and do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (Page 10) with your completed State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678.  This page is for examination use only.

  • Do not include your full Social Security Number on your documents and/or do not provide any LEAP information.

Examination/Assessment 

To apply for this position, you must obtain list eligibility by taking and passing the examination. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination unless your list eligibility has expired.

Click the examination link below for more information and to take the exam:

Attorney IV Bulletin

For more information about the State hiring process, click here. To watch tutorials on how to apply for a State job, click here.

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: 6/23/2026

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:

Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Mail In Address
Attn: Attn: Job Control #520878
Human Resource Services Division, MIC 54
PO Box 826880
Sacramento, CA 94280-0001

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Labor and Workforce Development Agency
Drop Off Address
Job Control #520878
EDD/Human Resource Services Division
1416 9th Street, 1st Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:30 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.
  • Statement of Qualifications -
    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required.     Please see “Statement of Qualifications Requirements” section for more information about the SOQ.
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:

We seek to foster an inclusive applicant pool, where we value candidates' abilities demonstrated through their diverse experiences. We want to encourage applicants to apply, regardless of whether they possess all the qualities listed below. We welcome applicants who bring various life experiences and perspectives to apply, your unique strengths and potential contributions are important to us and the communities we serve.

  • Experience with labor and employment law, particularly the California Labor Code.
  • Excellent research, analysis, and writing skills.
  • Litigation experience.
  • Experience mediating or adjudicating disputes is a plus, including serving as a mediator, ALJ, hearing officer, judicial law clerk, or similar role.
  • Attention to detail and ability to independently organize and manage work.
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the desire to contribute to a collaborative and collegial team and office.
  • Ability to work under pressure and to work effectively with all levels of staff.
  • Proficiency in Word and other Microsoft applications.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website, www.calhr.ca.gov, and the CalPERS website, www.calpers.ca.gov.

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://www.labor.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Anna Kirsch
(916) 559-3795
Anna.Kirsch@labor.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:
Isaac Garcia-Long
(916) 530-1734
Isaac.GarciaLong@labor.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.

Statement of Qualifications Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is Required as part of the application package. The SOQ outlines how your background, training, education, and skills align with this role. It is crucial for demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively in writing. Resumes, cover letters, and other documentation cannot replace the SOQ. Failure to submit and SOQ will result in disqualification, as will not adhering to the SOQ guidelines or submitting an incomplete SOQ. Applicants who do not follow the instructions for an SOQ, or who submit an incomplete SOQ, may be disqualified.

Instructions:

Your SOQ must be no more than two pages, using one-inch margins and 12-point Century Gothic font.

You must answer the following statement in your response:

Briefly summarize the reasons for your interest in this position and how your prior experience qualifies you for it.

ADDITIONAL DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

Merit System Principles
Information regarding Merit System Principles provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Training/Pages/performance-management-merit-system-principles.aspx

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