Senior Attorney

This is a limited term position which may be become permanent.

Join the mission-driven team at the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) as we safeguard California's health and environment. As part of the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA), DTSC is dedicated to regulating hazardous waste and overseeing the safe handling, treatment, and disposal of toxic substances statewide. In this role, you'll play a crucial part in ensuring compliance with legal requirements and supporting our efforts to restore contaminated lands. Join DTSC's Office of Legal Counsel and be a vital contributor to our mission of creating a healthier, safer California.


As an Attorney IV you will have the opportunity to:

• Provide legal support and advice related to and in preparation for sensitive and difficult litigation in federal and state courts including cost recovery actions and tort claims
• Evaluates claims and works to avoid litigation by securing cost recovery contributions with potentially responsible parties via pre-litigation settlement agreements or similar
• Oversee legal consistency and formulates legal policy pertaining to the implementation of applicable laws and regulations
• Supports the Attorney General's Office in litigation and in anticipation of litigation, including preparing for pre-trial and trial matters
• Reviews the most difficult and sensitive technical cleanup documents for legal consistency with federal and state statutory and regulatory requirements

Desirable Qualifications We Look For:

• Experience as an attorney with expertise in statutes and regulations at the state or federal level that impact, are administered by, or are analogous to laws implemented by DTSC
• Experience in conducting or supporting litigation in state or federal courts and/or administrative proceedings
• Experience in providing compliance or site remediation advice that is substantively or circumstantially similar to the advisory work performed by DTSC attorneys
• Experience in briefing decision makers at mid- to high-level positions
• Experience in responding to Public Records Act Requests, Freedom of Information Act Requests, discovery requests, or other related document review and production activities

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

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

This position is located at DTSC’s Regional Office in Berkeley, CA.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) is a member of the boards, departments, and offices (BDOs) within the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA).

Our Mission: To protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products.

Our Vision: All of California is thriving in a healthy environment.

Our Core Values: DTSC values diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the organization. We foster an environment where employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We believe the diversity of our employees is essential to inspiring innovative solutions. Together we further our mission to protect California’s people, communities, and environment from toxic substances, to enhance economic vitality by restoring contaminated land, and to compel manufacturers to make safer consumer products. Join DTSC to improve the lives of all Californians!

DTSC Recruitment Survey:

Click here to complete the DTSC recruitment survey.

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: 4/1/2026

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 Toxic Substances Control
Headquarters
Attn: Russell Montgomery
P.O. Box 806
Sacramento, CA 95812-0806

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Toxic Substances Control
CalEPA
Russell Montgomery
1001 I Street
Sacramento, CA 95814-2828
Applications must be received, and date stamped by close of business on the final filing date.
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.
• Other - Cover Letter

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

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for hours in the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) per month. For more details, please click herehttps://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment. The Department of Toxic Substances Control does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes.

A hybrid schedule may be available for this position.

Click the link below for a special message from Director Katie Butler on DTSC’s culture:

DTSC - Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)

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:
Talent Acquisition
(916) 302-0269
Talent@dtsc.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Russell Montgomery
(916) 302-0331
Russell.Montgomery@dtsc.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) 324-3095
OCR@dtsc.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

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.