Chief Counsel

Job Description and Duties

As the Chief Counsel, you will serve as the principal legal advisor to the Executive Officer and the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. In this role, you will provide strategic legal counsel, oversee complex administrative and regulatory matters, and represent the Board in high-profile legal proceedings that support California's occupational safety and health program.

We are seeking an experienced attorney with strong legal judgment, leadership skills, and a commitment to public service. The ideal candidate will possess:

Legal and Regulatory Knowledge

Knowledge of California administrative law, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), labor and employment law, and occupational safety and health laws.

Experience interpreting statutes, regulations, case law, and proposed legislation.

Familiarity with the California Public Records Act, Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, and state ethics laws is desirable.

Leadership and Strategic Counsel

Experience advising executive leadership, boards, or commissions on complex legal and policy issues.

Ability to identify legal risks and provide practical, solutions-oriented legal advice.

Demonstrated integrity, sound judgment, and commitment to ethical decision-making.

Litigation and Administrative Practice

Experience handling administrative hearings, litigation, or other complex legal proceedings.

Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, including drafting legal opinions, briefs, proposed decisions, and regulatory documents.

Experience representing governmental agencies or public entities is desirable.

Communication and Organizational Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal issues to diverse audiences.

Ability to manage multiple priorities, work independently, and meet competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with executive leadership, stakeholders, and partner agencies.

• Strategic Legal Counsel: Advise the Executive Officer and Board Members on complex legal, regulatory, and policy matters. Provide timely legal opinions, assess legal risks, and develop practical solutions to support informed decision-making.

• Administrative Hearings and Rulemaking: Administer the Board's permanent variance program, serve as Variance Hearing Officer, prepare proposed decisions, and provide legal oversight of rulemaking activities to ensure compliance with the Administrative Procedure Act and other applicable laws.

• Litigation and Legal Representation: Develop legal strategies and represent the Board in administrative and judicial proceedings. Coordinate with the Attorney General's Office and other governmental agencies on complex legal matters.

• Regulatory Compliance and Legislative Analysis: Monitor legislative developments, oversee Public Records Act compliance, conduct legal research, and provide guidance to ensure the Board's actions comply with applicable state and federal laws.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR §249.3

To be considered for this Attorney lV job opportunity, applicants must be either reachable on an employment list, have transfer eligibility or have reinstatement eligibility. To take the exam and gain employment list eligibility, please click here to access the exam bulletin:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position is located at: 2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 350, Sacramento, CA 95833.

• Location: Based at our Sacramento office. Enjoy the convenience of easy freeway access, nearby restaurants and shops, and free parking.
• Hybrid Flexibility: Eligible applicants residing in California can take advantage of hybrid telework options under Government Code 14200—combining in-office collaboration with the flexibility of remote work.
• Office Setting: Work in a modern, temperature-controlled office with state-of-the-art facilities designed for both individual and collaborative work. Expect a dynamic environment where extended work hours may occasionally be required to meet project demands.

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) highlighting your experience that qualifies you for this position must accompany the application. A resume/curriculum vitae must be submitted IN ADDITION to the SOQ. The SOQ should be typed in 12-point font, no more than two (single-sided) pages in length and address the following in the order listed below:

1. Describe your experience providing legal advice to executive leadership, boards, commissions, or other decision-making bodies.

2. Describe your experience with administrative law, rulemaking, administrative hearings, or litigation, and how it relates to the duties of this position.

3. Describe your approach to exercising sound, independent judgment when your legal analysis conflicts with the desired direction of agency or Board leadership or external stakeholders. How do you navigate these dynamics while ensuring absolute commitment to ethical standards?

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:

• Extensive knowledge of California administrative law, labor and employment law, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), and occupational safety and health laws.
• Experience advising executive leadership, boards, commissions, or public agencies on complex legal and policy matters.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex legal issues, develop practical legal solutions, and exercise sound independent judgment.
• Experience representing clients in administrative hearings, litigation, or other legal proceedings.
• Strong legal research, writing, negotiation, and oral advocacy skills.
• Experience drafting legal opinions, proposed decisions, regulations, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively in a fast-paced, high-profile environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build collaborative relationships with executive leadership, government agencies, stakeholders, and the public.
• Demonstrated commitment to professionalism, integrity, and ethical decision-making.

Benefits

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

Working for the State of California comes with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid Sick Leave and Vacation
• Retirement Benefits via CalPERS
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Holidays
• 401(k) and 457 plans
• Military Leave
• Reimbursement Accounts
• Public Transit Subsidy

Additional Information

Preference will be given to persons with State Restriction of Appointments (SROA) or Surplus status. Applicants must attach a copy of their most recently dated letter that specifies their designation as either SROA or surplus candidate as proof.

Qualified candidates must have eligibility in State employment, be in a reachable rank on an employment list for this classification, be currently in this classification, or have transfer eligibility to this classification.

If you do not hear from us in 4-6 weeks, you may assume the position has been filled by another applicant. Please note that all additional vacancies that become available may be added to this advertisement.

Please note that the Exam and Certification Online System (ECOS) does not allow you to resubmit your application once you withdraw it. If you have any updates to your online application, please contact the Personnel, Recruitment, & Hiring Unit at (800) 564-0771.

Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: DIR Applicant Survey

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - Please see Special requirements section of the posting for instructions on the Statement of Qualifications.