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DEPARTMENT STATEMENT
ABC values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. ABC believes the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission. Join ABC and help us provide the highest level of service and public safety to the people of the State through licensing, education, and enforcement.
SUMMARY
Under general direction of the General Counsel, incumbents in the Attorney III–Licensing Classification provides legal advice to the Department primarily in connection to licensing matters, including the most complex and sensitive matters. Incumbents respond orally and in written format to Department personnel, outside agencies, licensees, license applicants, and members of the public regarding licensing matters. Additionally, incumbents advise Divisions, District Offices, and other Department personnel on pending licensing and protest matters, particularly with respect to tied-house laws and complex ownership structures. Duties also include working on regulations and legislative proposals as well as advising various Department units, including Human Resources and the Trade Enforcement Unit, regarding legal matters. Incumbents are expected to work with broad discretion and independence and to be expert in the complex area of law within the Department’s legal program.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Salary- $10,852 - $15,325/month
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
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:
Research; analyze, appraise, and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; prepare and present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; prepare correspondence involving the explanation of legal matters; draft opinions, pleadings, rulings, regulations, and legislation; negotiate effectively and conduct crucial litigation; work cooperatively with a variety of individuals, organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others; and work effectively under pressure.
Other InformationAdditional Documents
Department Information
This position is located in the Headquarters Law and Policy Unit - Natomas area and includes FREE PARKING.
To take the Attorney III exam, please click here.
Department Website: http://www.abc.ca.gov
Special RequirementsA Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Statement of Qualifications Section below for instructions.
A background investigation and fingerprinting are required before a candidate can be appointed to this position.
Interested individuals shall submit a completed State Examination/Employment Application (STD Form 678) or Electronic State Employment Application (through CalCareers Account www.jobs.ca.gov) and all other required documents as detailed in the job announcement.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for the position.
Only the required documents listed in the job announcement will be reviewed when screening candidates.
Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678), resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security number (SSN), birth date, student identification number, driver license number (unless required), photograph, basis of eligibility, examination results, Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) status, gender, marital status, ethnicity, and age. Confidential information on STD. 678s submitted electronically online, such as SSN, will automatically be redacted upon submission.
Possession of the Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting the Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. If it is determined that you do not meet the Minimum Qualifications, your name will be removed or withheld from the eligibility list, rendering your eligibility as inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates whose names have been withheld from an eligibility list may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.
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: 12/18/2025Who 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).
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 Alcoholic Beverage Control
Headquarters
Attn: Ginger Valdez
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control
Headquarters
Ginger Valdez
3927 Lennane Drive, Suite 100
Sacramento, CA 95834
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 -
Candidates are REQUIRED to complete a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in addition to completing a standard State application (Examination/Employment Application STD 678). Only those candidates who submit all required documents by the final filing date will be considered. Resumes or Cover Letters DO NOT take the place of the Statement of Qualifications.Please see the SOQ instructions below for content and formatting information.
Working Conditions
If the employee is working at an alternate work location during telework, they are required to maintain a safe working condition at the approved site, abide by the Departments Telework Policy and Ergonomic Policy, and agree to maintain a distraction-free remote work environment. Further, employees are required to be available through various forms of communication during work hours.
Statement of QualificationsSTATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) INSTRUCTIONS
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) gathers information regarding your experience and interest in relation to this position. Please respond to all of the SOQ questions listed below. The completed SOQ shall be composed using Arial 12-point font and be no more than three (3) pages in length. The responses in your SOQ must be organized and numbered as reflected below, but you do not need to restate the SOQ questions in full. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses to the SOQ questions.
SOQ QUESTIONS
- Please explain your experience in interpreting laws, specifically as it applies to California licensing, license applicants, procedures, and advising on legal obligations and if applicable, give us an example.
- This position provides advice on (i) investigations and reports related to protested license applications, (ii) license denials, and (iii) denial of requests to modify license conditions. Describe your relevant background, training, and experience: (a) working closely with licensing staff without a legal education, (b) providing legal training to such staff, and (c) responding to legal questions in trusts, corporations, or bankruptcy (if you do not have this background, describe your experience in handling legal questions in an unfamiliar field of law).
- This position also works with investigative staff to determine if an administrative action should be brought and what violations should be alleged, especially in tied house conflicts created by licensee holdings. Describe your relevant background, training, and experience that would allow you to successfully perform these duties.
- Describe any additional background, training, and experience you have in performing legal duties related to administrative licensing matters, including drafting, implementing or interpreting regulations.
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.
BenefitsBenefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
