ATTORNEY III

Attorney III Position

The Office of Legal Affairs (OLA) offers legal advice to California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) leadership and staff to help ensure CDCR's operations are conducted effectively, and consistent with legal requirements. OLA attorneys anticipate legal issues and offer practical solutions, appropriately resolve legal disputes, and advocate to advancing CDCR's mission. Attorneys working for CDCR have the unique opportunity to encounter multiple areas of law, including, healthcare; public contracting; accounting services; construction management; facilities planning; class action lawsuits; and, provide consultation on policy development, regulatory work, court compliance, risk management, and employee discipline. Under direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney III assists with the implementation of litigation prevention strategies designed to mitigate liability risks for the CDCR and its employees. The Attorney III provides legal, technical, and administrative advice on complex and sensitive issues that may involve incarcerated people, supervised persons, employees, public procurement, contracts, public entities, unions and members of the public. The incumbent provides legal advice on sensitive legal matters relating to protocols and methodologies designed to assist the department in managing its liability exposure. The Attorney III must have the ability to work collaboratively with CDCR internal units and outside agencies, which may include Department of General Services, Department of Finance, Office of the Attorney General (OAG), State Compensation Insurance Fund, and Office of the Governor. The incumbent may be required to represent the CDCR before various administrative bodies including the State Personnel Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, State Public Works Board, and Workers' Compensation Appeals Board, among others. Individuals with an active State Bar License who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

CDCR Headquarters has implemented a new automated system to streamline the hiring process. The Human Resources Technology System (HRTS) is an intuitive, user-friendly system that provides applicant access to real-time updates throughout the hiring process. HRTS will require new candidates to set up an account, which allows them to track their application's progress. Through their account portal, candidates will also be able to provide any additional information needed in the hiring process, including setting up interviews as needed. After the final filing date, applicants will receive an email from or (depending on the email provider), with direction on creating and/or accessing their account.

This advertisement is for Attorney III position(s) located in Sacramento, Bakersfield, or Rancho Cucamonga. Please indicate the position number on your application: -XXX. Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application. Effective July 1, 2025, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires that each full-time employee receive a 4.62% reduction in pay in exchange for five (8) hours of PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through October 2026. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. See Essential Functions attached to the Duty Statement.