Temporary Project Attorney Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Under general direction of an Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney IV will be responsible for providing a broad spectrum of legal advice on diverse subjects related to the Authority's operations and objectives, with a high level of difficulty or sensitivity. The Attorney IV is expected to possess advanced knowledge of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and familiarity with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The incumbent will complete assignments and provide legal advice and guidance by using state and federal legal authority in some or all of the following areas of law as well: contracts, environmental and land use, procurements, real property and eminent domain, open meetings, public records, conflicts of interest, governance, construction, public works, public infrastructure, public-private partnerships, utilities, public funding and financing, personnel and employment, and/or administrative law. The Attorney IV must be familiar with the associated state and federal laws and regulations and understand how such laws and regulations apply to public entities and public projects. The incumbent researches and analyzes legal authorities and provides oral and written advice to Authority staff; drafts, edits, negotiates and provides advice on complex agreements and settlements; and works collaboratively with other members of the Legal Office and the Authority's staff. The incumbent also works closely with, and directs the work of, outside counsel regarding legal advice and litigation.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Part-time telework is available for this position for California residents based on the requirements of the position and may be discussed during the interview process. Hiring interviews may be available virtually, using teleconferencing or video conferencing options.
While working on site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled cubicle which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. Incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and video display terminal and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employees may be required to travel outside of their workstation to perform general tasks.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY IV

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-518481
Position #(s):
311-160-5780-806
Working Title:
Attorney IV
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals.
For additional information please visit https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.
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 Are you looking for a different type of state government job? Something with a little more excitement and a more fast-paced and fluid environment? How about an opportunity to be part of one of the most remarkable transportation projects in California's history? The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a small and dynamic state agency that is looking for employees who are interested in a challenging and rewarding job opportunity.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. Completing this survey is not required to be considered for this vacancy.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCM6SCC
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/
Special Requirements A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages, 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all of the following questions. Applicants who do not follow these instructions may be disqualified from the hiring process.
1. Describe your experience with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and provide examples of NEPA projects, NEPA document preparation and any resulting litigation with which you have been involved. In your response, include specific information on your role in each project/litigation and the type(s) of client(s) and stakeholders you worked with.
2. Describe how you would handle a situation in which a client declined to follow your advice on an important element of an environmental impact statement or environmental impact report.
3. Describe a situation in which you succeeded in reaching an amicable resolution of an issue with a difficult counterparty.
Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.
For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below.
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: 8/13/2026
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:
CA High Speed Rail Authority
High Speed Rail Authority
Attn: Human Resources (MP)
770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4
Sacramento , CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
CA High Speed Rail Authority
High Speed Rail Authority
Human Resources (MP)
770 L Street, Suite 620, MS 4
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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply. Please see above "Special Requirements" section for SOQ instructions.

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:
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to conduct legal research and writing, sometimes under short deadlines.
• Experience drafting legal documents such as legislation, regulations or contracts.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, flexibility, judgment and confidentiality.
• Ability to operate independently, but with the judgment to know when to ask for assistance and guidance from a supervisor or colleague.
• Ability to represent the Authority in dealings with other government agencies and private entities in a way that reflects well on the Authority.
• Ability to advise high-level governmental or corporate entitles on environmental legal matters.
• Dependable, punctual, excellent attendance.
• Knowledge of the Authority organization, operations and relevant policy issues.
• Prepare correspondence involving inclusion of recommendations for effective courses of action.
• Experience working with environmental permitting and mitigation laws.
• Experience drafting and reviewing environmental documents with an emphasis on CEQA and NEPA legal matters.
• Experience negotiating and/or litigating complex contracts or settlements.
• Exercise good judgment and calm professionalism in all situations.
Benefits The State of California offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, vision, dental, a retirement pension, a telework stipend if applicable, and an array of other options.
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.
Department Website: https://hsr.ca.gov/jobs/
Human Resources Contact:
Human Resources
(916) 669-6606
Recruitment@hsr.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 Office
(916) 324-1541
eeo@hsr.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.
Application Information
The STD. 678 is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. Please do not include your Social Security Number, date of birth, veteran status, personal photos, LEAP information, or any other personally identifying information on any documents in your application package.
Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. Dates printed on envelopes by mobile barcodes or equivalent mobile print technology are not acceptable proof of the date the application and any other required documents or materials were filed.
If applying via postal mail or by dropping off your application, applicants must include JC-318481 and Attorney, 311-160-5780-806 in the 'Job Title' section of the STD. 678 to be considered for this position. Please indicate on the STD 678 your basis of eligibility in the "Explanations" field (i.e. SROA, surplus, reemployment, reinstatement, transfer, or list eligible.)
Surplus/SROA candidates must provide a copy of their surplus/SROA letter with their application. Consideration may be given to applicants on another Department's employment list, provided the criteria are met to transfer the eligibility from the employment list to the Authority's employment list. Training and Development assignments are not being considered at this time.
NOTE: To be considered for this job opportunity, applicants must be reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. If you are new to California State service and you do not have list eligibility, you must take the exam for this classification. To gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin.
Location
The High-Speed Rail Authority headquarters building is located in downtown Sacramento on the corner of 8th and L Street. We are located one block away from the 8th and Capitol light rail stop, as well as the 7th and Capitol light rail stop. The building is also within walking distance of DOCO, the California State Capitol Park, a farmer's market during summer months, and Old Sacramento.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opport