Job Posting: Deputy Attorney General IV & V - Trial Group

Department of Justice

JC-521744
-
Deputy Attorney General IV & V - Trial Group
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 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: 7/17/2026

Job Description and Duties

The Trial Group within the Employment Law Section focuses on trial practice.  If you are bored with discovery and working up a case for years and instead like being in the courtroom, this job is for you.  Deputies in the Trial Group become experts in handling employment trials.  You will be assigned to a matter heading towards trial, often to assist the deputy who has been handling the case.  You will work on trial preparation, including expert discovery, preparing percipient and expert witnesses, motions in limine, jury instructions, trial themes and strategy.  At trial you will be responsible for everything a trial attorney does ranging from jury selection and opening statements, through examination of witnesses, to closing arguments, and post-trial motions.   Deputies assigned to the Trial Group will be assigned to several cases in the trial preparation stage and should anticipate handling at least one jury trial per year.  Deputies assigned to the Trial Group may also be tasked with handling important and complex State Personnel Board or other evidentiary hearing matters.


ELS is committed to providing attorneys with opportunities for professional growth in a collegial working environment.


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

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on DOJ's current telework policy. While DOJ supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-521744
Position #(s):
420-191-5705-XXX
Working Title:
Deputy Attorney General IV & V - Trial Group
Classification:
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL 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.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V
$12,659.00 - $16,883.00
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

  • This position is located in the Division of Civil Law, Employment Law Section, and may be filled in Sacramento, Oakland, Los Angeles or San Diego. Please clearly state in your cover letter which city you prefer.

  • The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary (Hiring Above Minimum Policy).

    The starting salary for each classification will be:

    • Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
    • Deputy Attorney General V (Lateral): $14,051

    New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.

  • DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.

  • Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus letter, if that is the basis of their eligibility.

  • If you would like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov.

  • For more information about the department please visit the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.ca.gov.

  • Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.

  • Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR.


Special Requirements

  • Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-521744) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your STD 678 State Application.

  • A fingerprint check will be required. 

  • Must be willing and able to work a full-time schedule which may exceed a 40 hour week when operational needs require.

  • Deputies must be active members of the California State Bar.

  • Individuals who are new to state service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the California Office of the Attorney General. The process is described at http://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply.

  • Deputies assigned to the ELS Section must be willing and able to travel and may be required to travel to remote locations within the State, sometimes with little notice and sometimes for lengthy periods of time.

  • You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.

  • Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examination:

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: 7/17/2026

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.

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 Justice
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-521744)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Justice
OHR-Heather Nguyen
Heather Nguyen (JC-521744)
1300 I Street Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 04:00 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 - Cover letter
  • Other - Writing sample consisting of an investigative report, dispositive motion, pretrial motion or appellate brief preferably written in the prior year.
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:


ELS deputies in the Trial Group should be self-starters, who are both efficient and productive.  ELS deputies are expected to quickly get up to speed in new situations and prepare for trial in cases which they did not originally work on. 

 

ELS deputies in the Trial Group should have strong interviewing and oral and written advocacy skills.  They should be able to relate well with witnesses and have the ability to effectively prepare witnesses to present testimony at trial or other evidentiary hearings.  They should understand and be skilled at presenting evidence at trial and objecting to inadmissible evidence, including expert opinion evidence.  They should be able to present professionally and effectively to judges, mediators, arbitrators, and opposing counsel.  ELS deputies in the Trial Group should have the ability and desire to go to trial anywhere in the State of California.

 
ELS deputies are expected to behave with the highest level of professionalism, including in high stress situations. Being able to foster and maintain good relations with clients is a critical skill and ELS deputies are expected to provide excellent client service and respond promptly to client concerns. Deputies should be able to prepare well-written reports; and understand and abide by the laws of the State of California, Rules of Professional Responsibility, and ethics required of all attorneys for this office. ELS deputies work hard and are expected to handle a busy caseload and have the ability to effectively manage several important matters simultaneously. They are expected to respond timely to developments in their cases while monitoring and meeting all deadlines. Since ELS is very team-oriented, we are looking for candidates who wish to work in a team environment and work cooperatively with all colleagues.


Candidates should be willing and able to work a full-time schedule including long hours and weekends when necessary to effectively prepare for and represent clients at trial.  The job requires the ability to drive significant distances when required for witness interviews, evidence review,  or other trial preparation tasks.  A candidate must be able and willing to travel and stay away from their home location when necessary. 

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:
Heather Nguyen
(916) 210-6444
Heather.Nguyen@doj.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:
EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.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.

Additional Filing Information:

Please note, if using the United States Postal Service for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be date stamped and will arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark or date stamp and arrives after the final filing date, your application will not be accepted. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof of delivery prior to the final filing date. If you are mailing your application, as a courtesy we ask that you contact the HR Consultant listed to confirm your application has been received. This is not required, but highly encouraged so we can ensure the timely submission of your application.

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