Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Secretary of State’s office is seeking to fill multiple permanent, full-time Attorney vacancies. Telework is available based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs.

The Legal Affairs unit within the Secretary of State’s office provides legal advice relating to all functions of the agency. This may include responding to legal issues involving elections, businesses, political campaigning, legislative advocacy, and historical treasures. The duties are varied and interesting.

Under the direction of the Attorney Supervisor, the incumbent will play a vital role for the Secretary of State by performing a broad range of legal work, as follows:

• Legal Review, Legal Program Advisor and Oversight: Performs the legal work on behalf of the Agency, including legal review of various documents and contracts, legal research and opinion drafting for the agency; responds to legal correspondence and develops and updates agency procedures and policies to ensure legal compliance. Provides legal support and advice to agency management and staff on matters related to the agency’s functions, roles and responsibilities. Assists with procurement and issues relating to contracting, including negotiating and drafting procurement documents, reviewing and drafting contracts, representing the agency in protests, risk management, security, and intellectual property.
• A dministrative Proceedings and Civil Litigation: Research applicable laws, rules and regulations in order to aide in development of strategy and tactics in legal disputes, which may include assisting the Attorney General’s office in litigation involving the agency. Provides legal advice to all levels of staff regarding division and/or agency legal issues with general or statewide impact. May represent the agency in complex administrative proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings, C alifornia Department of Human Resources and the State Personnel Board.
• Legislation and Regulations: Develops, interprets and/or provides legal review of various documents or information such as statewide regulations, policies, procedures, contracts, and other legal documents. Drafts and reviews proposed legislative changes, makes recommendations regarding division-wide and statewide impacts, acts as liaison to external stakeholders, and prepares written or verbal comments for submission to the Legislature setting forth the position of the Secretary of State regarding proposed legislation.
• Document Production: Reviews of Public Records Act (PRA) requests, other public and legislative inquiries, and the Agency’s responses. Coordinates divisional responses to subpoenas, as needed, which may involve directing staff to research and copy responsive documents, reviewing responsive records for compliance, writing affidavits, and communicating with the courts or subpoenaing attorneys.
• Management Representation and Assistance: On behalf of the Secretary of State, acts as liaison with and point of contact for other licensing and taxing State and Local Government Agencies related to business entities.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Experience with general corporate and business-related statutes or with state or federal securities laws.
• Knowledge of California's legislative and administrative rule process.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communications.
• Ability to meet deadlines, take initiative, and work independently and/or in a team environment.
• Consistent attention to detail.
• Ability to interact effectively with the public, Agency personnel, and other stakeholders.
• Experience drafting legal memoranda and responding to discovery.

Statement of Qualifications

Applicants must submit a Statement of Qualifications detailing how they meet the “Desirable Qualifications” listed above. The Statement of Qualifications must be no more than two (2) pages typed, using business professional font, font size, and formatting. Applications that do not follow the directions as identified above, provide incomplete responses, or do not submit a Statement of Qualifications will not be considered.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Positions provide telework opportunities based upon the agency’s telework policy and business needs.

Special Requirements

Special Requirements: Membership in the State Bar of California is a requirement.

Examination Information

Candidates new to state service or those seeking a promotional opportunity must take the online examination to establish eligibility. The examination can be found at the following link:

There is also a Limited Examination & Appointment Program (LEAP) exam available for this classification. Information on the LEAP certification process is available on the .

Benefits

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

Hire Above Minimum

The salary range for the Attorney classification is $7,969 - $12,026; applicants who are new to state employment are offered a starting salary at the minimum of the salary range. The starting salary for current state employees will be based on state salary rules using the employees’ current classification, and salary rate, but in no instance shall be lower than the minimum of the salary range. The State of California allows for a Hire Above Minimum starting salary rate of $8,846 for Range A or $9,956 for Range B of for those candidates starting at the minimum of the salary range. In addition, qualifying employees will receive a merit salary increase annually not to exceed the maximum of the salary range; merit salary increases are typically 5%.

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please submit your response to the Statement of Qualifications as indicated above. 

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