Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Please note, this is an 'Until Filled' position. The application cut-off dates are September 8, 2025 and September 29, 2025 by 11:59 PM (PST). Interested individuals must submit their application packages by the cut-off dates to be considered.

By law, the California Department of Education (CDE) is responsible for the administration of the State K-12 public education system. Its chief administrative officer is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), a statewide elected constitutional officer (California Constitution, Article IX, Section 2). Its policy board is the constitutionally established State Board of Education (California Constitution, Article IX, Section 7). The subject position is a chief legal officer of the California Department of Education. Under general direction of the General Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel manages and administers the Legal Affairs I unit in the Legal Division of the Legal, Audits and Charters Branch.

The Legal Division is responsible for the Department’s legal program, including its litigation. The Assistant Chief Counsel is responsible for the coordination, direction, and priority setting of litigation and legal workload; directing the application of departmental policy to litigation and administrative hearings; independently determining tactical approaches to such hearings and litigation; directing the preparation of legislation, regulations, legal advisories and opinions; and analyzing federal and state legislation and appellate court decisions for their impact on educational programs throughout California.

The mission of the Legal Division is to provide timely, thorough legal advice and representation to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, California Department of Education, and State Board of Education, in furtherance of their official duties and public policy goals.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

TELEWORK OPTION

HYBRID

This position is headquartered in Sacramento and may be eligible for a hybrid telework schedule for eligible applicants residing in California. A hybrid telework schedule includes working remotely and working a minimum of 2 days per week in the office.

Special Requirements

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.

The examination bulletin(s) may be viewed on the California Department of Education Web page at: 

or at the link below: 

Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel:

Benefits

The State of California provides comprehensive benefits packages determined by the employee’s bargaining unit. Some of these benefits include:

· Medical benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance

· Paid holidays: 11 paid State holidays, 1 personal paid holiday, and 2 professional development days

·401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus)

· Employee Assistance Program

· Commute Program

More benefit information can be found on CalHR’s website:  Benefits Summary

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:

1. Direct management experience, supervisory experience, or experience in lead capacity planning, organizing, and directing the work of legal and administrative staff, including responsibility for budget, contracts, and personnel matters.
2. Direct experience advising high-level State officers or leadership of State boards or commissions. Provide any experience related to advise regarding Bagley-Keene, the Public Records Act, and conflict of interest provisions.
3. Experience in handling complex litigation matters before all courts and administrative tribunals, including legal research methods, court procedures, rules of evidence and procedures, and administrative law.
4. Experience in handling complex transactional matters including compliance with State contracting and procurement processes, technology development projects, and data privacy requirements.
5. Experience in staff development, team building and providing technical assistance to a diverse and complex constituency.
6. Experience with statutory provisions related to K-12 education in California, such as the education code, the Information Practices Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Every Student Succeeds Act, and the Equal Educational Opportunities Act.

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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  Interested individuals MUST submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) with their application. Resumes, letters, and other materials do not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ should have a title of “Statement of Qualifications, Your Name ,” be no more than 3 pages and no smaller than 12-point Arial font.

  • Submit a Statement of Qualifications that addresses each area listed on the Desirable Qualifications.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Remote work, 2 days per week,

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