Assistant Chief Counsel Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Please Note: Due to postal service delays, electronic submission of application is recommended.
Please see the Duty Statement link, found in the Additional Documents section, for more information.
Applicants are highly encouraged to complete a Recruitment Questionnaire, located at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLYSH8V
In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees' monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 3% in exchange for 5 hours of leave credits through June 2027. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions

• This position is eligible for a hybrid telework option, in accordance with CAL FIRE's telework policy, and will be required to report to the office as needed/required. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

• Approximately 10% of position duties will require travel, occasionally involving overnight stays.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-520574
Position #(s):
541-015-5871-XXX
Working Title:
Assistant Chief Counsel, OSFM
Classification:
ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL $14,513.00 - $17,742.00
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
Department Information
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is California's fire department and resource management agency. The organization is comprised of nearly 14,000 permanent and seasonal employees. The mission of the Department is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property and resources of California.
When you join CAL FIRE, you join a family of employees that function as a team. You will build trust and friendship with your co-workers, as together you respond to emergencies and challenging situations. CAL FIRE provides employees with a variety of career choices and opportunities. CAL FIRE offers well-paying careers and opportunities for advancement. We hope that you will consider a rewarding and challenging career with CAL FIRE!
Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Membership in The California State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

• If using education to meet Minimum Qualification, please attach your degree or transcripts.

• This position may be designated as a Conflict of Interest position. The Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires that employees in positions designated in CAL FIRE's Conflict of Interest Code file a completed and signed Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) upon hire, and annually thereafter.

• Statutes and case law pertaining to OSFM programs, including Community Wildfire Preparedness & Mitigation, Code Development & Analysis, Fire & Life Safety, Fire Engineering and Investigations, Pipeline Safety & CUPA, and State Fire Training;
• Administrative law principles and experience with the Office of Administrative Law;
• Legal principals and their application; legal research methods; and court procedures;
• Legal terms and forms in common use; statutory and case law literature and authorities; and
• Provision of laws and Government Code sections administered or enforced.

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.
1. Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
2. Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined a candidate does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.
The minimum qualifications can be found in the ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL classification specifications.
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: 6/18/2026
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 Forestry & Fire Protection
N/A
Attn: Classification and Hiring
P.O. Box 944246
Sacramento , CA 94244-2460
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
N/A
Classification and Hiring
710 Riverpoint Court, Suite 250
West Sacramento , CA 95605
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.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to include the Statement of Qualifications as required shall result in disqualification from the hiring process. Please see the section labeled "Statement of Qualifications" for further information.

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:
Special Personal Characteristics:
• Negotiate in difficult situations with tact and firmness;
• Establish effective working relationships at all levels within the Department; and
• Work independently, cooperatively, and effectively with various federal, state, and local agencies.
Ability to:
• Analyze complex and difficult legal principles and precedents and apply them to difficult and complex legal and administrative problems;
• Perform exceptionally difficult and complex legal research; prepare and present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form;
• Draft complex and difficult opinions, pleadings, rulings, and legislation;
• Negotiate effectively and oversee crucial litigation;
• Work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others;
• Handle multiple high-profile priorities;
• Communicate well verbally and in writing;
• Work effectively under pressure and successfully handle multiple competing priorities; and
• Stay organized, set priorities, and work independently under general supervision.
Interpersonal Skills:
Efficiency, conscientiousness, tact, and professionalism
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.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Jolene Lee
(916) 594-6272
jolene.lee@fire.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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.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
Assistant Chief Counsel, Office of the State Fire Marshal
Statement of Qualifications
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required in addition to the standard state application (Form STD 678). Applicants who do not submit SOQ will not be considered for an interview. Please provide a response in 12- point font, single-spaced, no more than one page, to the following questions:
1. Describe your approach to supervision and management, including any formal or informal experience you have and how you would utilize your approach in supervising attorneys of different seniority levels working in different areas.
2. Describe how your education and/or work experience will assist you in providing legal advice to Executive-level staff.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
• This position is Pending Budget Approval.
Filing a job application "within the time" shall mean: applications must be postmarked by the United States Postal Service (USPS) or depositing with a parcel delivery or courier service no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement, provided that the parcel contains proof of a timely deposit with the parcel delivery or courier service or
- Date stamped at the appropriate office of the appointing power no later than the final filing date specified by the job vacancy announcement
or
- Electronically transmitted no later than 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the final filing date specified on the job vacancy announcement.
For the purposes of determining whether an application has been filed within the time as set forth above, any dates printed on mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology shall not be considered postmarks and, as such, are not acceptable proof of the date the application was filed.
A completed State Application (STD. 678), a Resume, and any other relevant documents (e.g. transcript copies, copies of degree(s), cover letter, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareer Account, by U.S. mail, or by dropping your application package off. Both addresses are listed in this Job Advertisement.
Please reference Job Control 520574 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section on the STD. 678. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please note you can only apply for one Job Control per application submission.
Candidate may be selected by Resume Review.
Temporary Appointments (TAU) may be considered if conditions warrant. TAU may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. TAU may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent or limited-term appointment.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equa...