Staff Counsel

Under the supervision of LCI’s Chief Counsel, the Attorney (Staff Counsel) is responsible for providing research and analytical legal services needed to advise LCI executives, management and staff on a variety of legal issues, including rulemaking processes pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act. Staff Counsel will provide written and oral advice, draft and review legal correspondence and perform a variety of legal tasks. The Staff Counsel shall, as needed, provide legal support where LCI is engaged in litigation in coordination with the Attorney General and LCI’s Chief Counsel.

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

Salary

• $7,506 - $12,026/month

Qualifications

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

• ATTORNEY

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 conduct legal research and writing, sometimes under short deadlines.
• Experience drafting, reviewing, and revising legal documents such as grants and grant related documents, contracts, letters, memos, and legislation.
• Experience with the California Administrative Procedure Act.
• Ability to represent LCI in dealings with other government agencies, members of the legislature and legislative staff, and private entities in a way that reflects well on the agency.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, staff of other state and federal agencies, and client advocacy organizations, while working independently and as part of a team.
• Superior analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, superior interpersonal skills, and tact.
• Superior research skills and work habits and the ability to complete work under deadlines.
• Familiarity with the California Environmental Act and other California environmental and land use laws.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

The Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI) serves the Governor and his Cabinet as staff for long-range planning and research and constitutes the comprehensive state planning agency. LCI assists the Governor and the Administration in planning, research, policy development, and legislative analysis. LCI formulates long- range state goals and policies to address land use, climate change, population growth and distribution, urban expansion, infrastructure development, groundwater sustainability and drought response, and resource protection. LCI’s budget programs include State Planning and Policy Development, Strategic Growth Council, Racial Equity Commission. LCI is a fast-paced, creative work environment that requires staff to have strong collaboration skills, an ability to quickly respond to changing policy needs, and a positive attitude and sense of humor. Proven commitment to creating a work environment that celebrates diverse backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences.

Department Website: https://lci.ca.gov/

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: 10/21/2025

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:

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
Attn: HR - YP
1400 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation
Human Resources Office
HR - YP
1400 10th Street
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.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  When completing the SOQ, you must title the page “Statement of Qualifications” and include your name and the Job Control number at the top of each page. You must list each question and provide your answer below each question. When completing the SOQ please include all relevant experience, education, and training for each question and explain your answers thoroughly. Responses should be not be longer than two pages in total length, single-spaced, and 12-point Arial font. Your SOQ must address the following:

  1. Describe a complex legal issue that you worked on related to the subject matter areas contained in the duty statement. Describe your role in resolving the issue, the types of work products you prepared, and the outcome of the issue.

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.

Working Conditions

Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to exert up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects with or without reasonable accommodation. Involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. This position may be eligible to participate in LCI’s hybrid telework schedule. Participation in Telework is subject to LCI’s guidelines. Occasional/overnight travel up to 15% may be required.

Contact Information

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

Department Website:https://lci.ca.gov/

Human Resources Contact:
Yucary Padilla
(916) 758-0579
yucary.padilla@lci.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Matt Read
(916) 322-4785
matt.read@sgc.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:
Alanna Dayton
(279) 228-3940
Alanna.Dayton@lci.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.

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.

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. Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! We offer competitive pay, advancement opportunities, upward mobility, work-life-balance, and for many positions, flexible hours and remote work options. The State of California offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility, such as:

• Pension through CALPERS
• Medical Benefits, including health, dental, and vision insurance
• Medical benefits into retirement
• Deferred Compensation options: 401k and 457b
• Leave benefit options (Vacation/Sick or Annual Leave)
• Paid Holidays
• Life Insurance
• ScholarShare (College Saving Account)
• School Loan forgiveness under the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program