Assistant Chief Counsel

Under the general direction of the Deputy Counsel and the Chief Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) provides management and supervision to a team of experienced attorneys, analysts, and support staff in the California Air Resources Board (CARB)’s Legal Office. The Assistant Chief Counsel prepares and reviews legislation, and testifies, on behalf of the Board, before the Legislature; formulates legal policy; and participates as a member of executive management in the development and implementation of Board policy. The Assistant Chief Counsel, with broad discretion and independence, performs legal work of the most complex and sensitive nature, including assisting the Office of the Attorney General with the most difficult and complex trial litigation, appellate cases, settlements, post-trial negotiations, legal research, and court hearings. The Assistant Chief Counsel is responsible for reviewing documents presented to the Board, including agendas and resolutions, for both regulatory and non-regulatory items. The Assistant Chief Counsel represents the Chief Counsel in formulating policy and provides advice regarding departmental programs as required. Other responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing provisions of legal services in a wide variety of program areas and in diverse areas of federal and State law. The position may oversee the Legal Office expert attorney(s) working on federal Clean Air Act implementation and defense, enforcement, or climate change programs.

Applicants must have been admitted to the California State Bar prior to appointment.

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

Salary

• $14,090 - $17,225/month

Qualifications

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

• ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

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:

The most desirable candidates will have knowledge of:

• Legal principles and precedents and their applications.
• The organization, purposes, functions, and operation of the California Air Resources Board, California Legislature, and executive and judicial branches of government.
• Applicable Constitutional provisions and federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders, in particular California air pollution control laws and the federal Clean Air Act.
• Language structure and content, including the meaning of words, legal terminology, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Administrative law and the requirements for the adoption of regulations in California.
• Applicable provisions of the Health and Safety Code, Government Code, Evidence Code, and other State and federal statutes.
• Available research sources, both printed and electronic (e.g., primary legal texts, secondary legal texts, and electronic databases).
• Computer software applications for word processing, communication, and caseload management.
• Legal research principles and practices.
• Legal principles and precedents and their application to the most difficult, complex, and novel legal problems.

Ability to:

• Conduct the most complex and difficult legal research to ensure accurate advice and recommendations.
• Prepare and present statements of complex fact, law, and argument in a clear and logical manner in both written and oral form to ensure accurate advice and recommendations.
• Perform the most difficult statutory drafting and codification work.
• Review a large volume of incoming and outgoing legal correspondence in a variety of subject areas.
• Work effectively under high pressure and unfavorable conditions to ensure the timely delivery of high quality work.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Identify client objectives in the context of applicable substantive law.
• Understand the interrelationships of statutory schemes, constitutional provisions, and case law specific to the subject of air quality.
• Recognize and address applicable issues arising from applicable laws and effectively assist program staff, in various program areas, to address complex, multidisciplinary issues.
• Understand the requirements of California Environmental Quality Act, the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, the California Administrative Procedure Act, and the California Public Records Act.
• Communicate effectively and professionally with Board members, executive management, and program staff to identify needs, alert them to potential problems with requested work, resolve problems, and develop solutions.
• Maintain a professional and courteous demeanor when dealing with staff and the public under all circumstances.
• Work cooperatively with a team and work independently to complete work assignments.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify

CARB values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment where employees from various backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. CARB believes the diversity of our employees collectively makes up one of the world’s most respected environmental organizations. CARB offers various modern interview options, including remote phone and video interviews. Join CARB and help us improve the lives of all Californians.

Department Website: http://www.arb.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: 6/18/2025

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:

State Air Resources Board
Veronica Sweeten
Attn: Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

State Air Resources Board
Veronica Sweeten
Classification and Certification Unit
1001 I Street, 5th Floor
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.
• 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

This position may be eligible for hybrid in-office work and in-state telework. The amount of telework is at the agency's discretion and is based on the California Air Resource Boards' (CARB) current telework policy. While the CARB may support telework, some in-person attendance is also required.

Beginning July 1st, 2025, per Executive Order N-22-25, CARB employees will be required to report into office four days a week.

The positions at the CARB may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria outlined in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of hybrid telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location at their own expense, as indicated on their duty statement.

• Position located in a high-rise building.
• Requires being in a stationary position, consistent with office work, for extended periods.
• Standard office environment (artificial lighting, controlled temperature, etc.)
• Daily use of a personal computer, office equipment, and/or telephone.
  

Contact Information

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

Department Website:http://www.arb.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Malee Lor
(000) -
malee.lor@arb.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:
Payam Ahmadi
(000) -
EEOP@arb.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.

Experience and Education

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Employment Application (STD 678), including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week, and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYYY). Application packages without this information may experience delayed processing times, and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma. Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of the United States course/degree equivalency.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org

Failure to submit all the required documentation will result in an incomplete application and disqualification from consideration for this position.

Additional Instructions for Mailing or Drop-Off Application Packages

Applying electronically via CalCareers is highly recommended. If submitting hardcopy applications (mail/drop-off), please email Vee.Sweeten@arb.ca.govwith the JC number in the subject line to confirm submission. Your email will serve as a time stamp that a document was dropped off before the final filing date. Drop-off applications must be received, and date stamped by 5:00 PM on the final filing date.

NOTE: Applicants must not include Social Security Numbers, LEAP status information or paperwork, Equal Employment Opportunity information, exam result notices or scores, or medical or criminal history information on any document within their application package.

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.

• Gym
• Daycare facility
• Nearby (third-party) parking
• Convenient to public transportation
• Located near: Downtown Commons (DOCO), Golden 1 Center, Restaurants and Shopping