Deputy General Counsel

Have you ever considered a legal career at the California Department of Education? Your work benefits kids!

Attorney IV is an expert in the most complex and sensitive legal work related to laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to TK-12 education programs. Our lawyers are often involved in cutting-edge litigation on constitutional issues that often impact all state education agencies throughout the country. It is an exciting and rewarding time to be in the world of education law! We offer a wide-range of opportunities and assignments that require diverse legal skills in order to help improve California’s education system.

Specific duties vary depending on ever-changing client needs, but may include:

• Representing the CDE, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) in litigation in federal and state courts by handling all facets of complex litigation ranging from motions and discovery through trial and appeals.

• Researching and preparing guidance, memoranda or opinions to advise the operation of specialized programs, such as Special Education, Nutrition, After School, Transitional Kindergarten, English Learners, Charter Schools, Curriculum Frameworks, the State Special Schools for the Deaf and Blind, etc.

• Helping draft and analyze sponsored or proposed legislation, advising program staff on interpreting existing laws, and assisting with the drafting of regulations to implement new programs and/or respond to changes to the law.

CDE currently has a hybrid work policy generally requiring in-person work from our Sacramento office two days each week.

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

Salary

• $11,993 - $16,096/month

Qualifications

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

• ATTORNEY IV

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:

• Interest in becoming a member of a fast-paced office involved with very challenging issues at the forefront of state and national K-12 public education law

• A background in education-related law, civil rights law or litigation is desirable, but not required

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

The California Department of Education (CDE) oversees the state's diverse and dynamic public school system, which is responsible for the education of more than six million children and young adults in more than 10,000 schools with 295,000 teachers. The CDE and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction are responsible for enforcing education law and regulations; and for continuing to reform and improve public elementary school programs, secondary school programs, adult education, some preschool programs, and child care programs. The CDE's mission is to provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The CDE serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners, preparing students to live, work, and thrive in a highly connected world.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS:

A Statement of Qualifications is REQUIRED and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate Statement of Qualifications based on the instructions will be rejected for being incomplete and will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the Statement of Qualifications.

Submit a Statement of Qualifications that addresses each area listed. The Statement of Qualifications shall be no more than three pages in length,typed in Arial font, no smaller than 12 font, no smaller than 1 inch margins and numbered clearly 1-6. The Statement of Qualifications will be used to evaluate your experience.

1. Experience in handling complex litigation matters before federal and state courts and administrative tribunals, including legal research methods, court procedures, discovery, law and motion, expert witnesses, trial and appellate experiences.
2. Experience in handling complex transactional matters including compliance with State contracting and procurement processes, technology development projects, and data privacy and security matters.
3. Experience in developing, analyzing and interpreting statutes, regulations and proposed legislation and advising clients with respect to their implementation and application to unique factual circumstances.
4. Experience in handling complex legal, public policy and administrative matters from an initial request for advice to completion, including identifying and analyzing legal issues, developing and implementing a legal recommendation and/or effective course of action and client management considerations.
5. Experience in providing assistance to a diverse and complex constituency similar to the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and California Department of Education.
6. Please provide your California State Bar number.

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: 10/6/2025

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:

Department of Education
Human Resources Division
Attn: C&P PC 3920 / JC-493437
1430 N Street, Suite 1802
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Education
Human Resources Division
C&P PC 3920 / JC-493437
1430 N Street, Suite 1802
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 -

  A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS IS REQUIRED. Please see the Special Requirements section for instructions. Applications without the SOQ will not be considered.
  For assistance in completing the SOQ, we encourage you to watch the following video:
  Work4CA: How to Write a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

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

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 physically reporting to the office.

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.

Human Resources Contact:
Lydia Delgado
(916) 445-9481
ldelgado@cde.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Lorie Adame
(916) 319-0641
ladame@cde.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:
Randi Thompson, EEO Officer
(916) 445-9174
oeoinfo@cde.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

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