Job Posting: Attorney III

Department of Fish and Wildlife

JC-535127
-
Attorney III
ATTORNEY III

$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 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: 10/26/2026

Job Description and Duties

WCB protects, restores, and enhances California’s spectacular natural resources for wildlife and the public’s use and enjoyment. WCB works in partnership with Tribes, conservation groups, government agencies, and the people of California to safeguard biodiversity and expand access to nature. WCB does this work in two ways: it conducts real estate transactions for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and awards millions of dollars in grant funding each year for land and water acquisition, habitat restoration, and public access.

This attorney position plays a key role in carrying out this conservation mission. This attorney will work primarily in the following areas of law: real property, environmental including the California Environmental Quality Act, administrative, and water. WCB is particularly interested in finding an attorney who can help support its Streambed Enhancement Program and handle other aspects of WCB's water-related work. Please see the attached duty statement for a complete description of the important work this position will perform.

The current position is at the Attorney III level, but WCB is also accepting applications at the Attorney (formerly Attorney I) level in the interest of finding a candidate who has experience and/or education that best fits with its program needs.


Attorney I Examination Link: CalCareers
Attorney III Examination Link: CalCareers

Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program.

 

Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program:

 

Personal Leave Program - Human Resources - CalHR.


This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Beginning July 1, 2026, employees will be required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.


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

Working Conditions

Maintain normal and consistent work hours, averaging 40 hours per week. Work in excess of 40
hours per week is expected, when necessary, to complete assignments in a timely manner. Position
may require the incumbent to sit for long periods of time under artificial lighting.

This position will be located at 715 P Street, Sacramento. This position is eligible for limited telework pursuant to a Telework Agreement.

Some overnight travel may be required.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-535127
Position #(s):
567-001-5795-004
Working Title:
Attorney III
Classification:
ATTORNEY III
$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
ATTORNEY
$7,969.00 - $10,473.00 A
$8,969.00 - $12,026.00 B
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) employees are committed to managing and protecting California’s diverse wildlife and the habitats upon which they depend.

California is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. As such, CDFW values diverse employees working together to protect nature for all Californians. CDFW is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all backgrounds, cultures and personal experiences can thrive and connect others to our critical mission.

Join us and begin a meaningful new career!
Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov

Special Requirements

This position requires active membership in the California State Bar.

The selected candidate may be required to provide a copy of the license prior to be hired.

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: 10/26/2026

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:

Department of Fish and Wildlife
HRB Mailing Address (PO Box)
Attn: Human Resources Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Fish and Wildlife
Closed Drop Off Location
Human Resources Branch
Temporarily Closed
See Filing Instructions
Sacramento, CA 95814
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Other -

    A Cover Letter is required and must be submitted along with your STD 678 application. Failure to include a Cover Letter will result in an incomplete application submission.

  • Statement of Qualifications -

    A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see below for SOQ instructions. Failure to include the SOQ will result in an incomplete application submission.

     

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:
Ability to organize, set priorities, and work independently under general supervision. Ability to work under pressure and successfully handle multiple competing complex priorities. Negotiate in highly complex situations with tact and firmness. Develop and maintain positive working relationships to accomplish desired goals and objectives. Work cooperatively and effectively with various partners, including federal, state and local agencies. Meet deadlines.

Exceptional communication skills, efficiency, judgment, tact, and professionalism. Ability to work with a diverse group of project partners and stakeholders.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

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

Department Website: https://www.wildlife.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Justin Gonzales
(916) 902-8213
justin.gonzales@wildlife.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:
Civil Rights Office
(916) 902-9211
civilrights@wildlife.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.

Filing Instructions

You must reference Position Number 567-001-5795-004 and RPA Number E-WCB 26-007 in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) for Which You Are Applying section of the State Application Form (Std. Form 678). Applications that do not list the Position Number and RPA Number may not be considered.

 

It is recommended that Application Packages be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at https://jobs.ca.gov.  If applications are mailed, we recommend applications are sent certified mail as we are unable to verify receipt.

 

Applications that do not follow the Filing Instructions may not be considered.

 

This advertisement may be used to fill additional vacancies for this JC.

All job applicants must provide their employment history on the application form (State Application STD 678) rather than attaching a resume to the form, otherwise the application may be considered incomplete.

 

Applicants must submit a complete and accurate application package, free from spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

Statement of Qualifications

Please respond to the three questions below. Your total response may be no longer than 600 words. You may apply this word count to the three questions however you decide as long as the total response does not exceed 600 words. Please put your total word count at the bottom of your response. You do not need to include the questions in your response but be sure your responses use the numbers corresponding to the questions below.

1. Please review information about WCB’s Streamflow Enhancement Program here: https://wcb.ca.gov/Programs/Stream-Flow-Enhancement. Please describe your qualifications (experience and/or education) to act as in-house counsel for this Program and your overall experience and/or knowledge of California water law. If your experience in this area is limited, you may respond to this question by describing your general interest in this Program.

2. One of WCB’s main functions is land acquisition. WCB conducts real estate transactions on behalf of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) including acquiring fee interests and conservation easements, granting easements over CDFW land, and transferring land out of state ownership for conservation purposes. In addition, WCB awards grants to various entities to purchase conservation easements or fee interests in important habitat. Please describe your qualifications (experience and/or education) to advise WCB’s land acquisition team on these functions. Be as specific as possible. If your experience in this area is limited, you may respond to this question by describing your general interest in this subject area.

3. As a public agency, many of WCB’s activities are subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the CEQA Guidelines. Please describe your experience working with, or education about, this body of law. If your experience is limited, you may respond to this question describing any aspect of environmental law with which you have worked or are familiar.

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