Attorney

Job Description and Duties

Are you interested in a meaningful and impactful career? Would you like to contribute to protecting people and the environment and accelerating a statewide transition to sustainable pest management? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) could be the place for you!

Under the direction of the Chief Counsel and Assistant Chief Counsel, OLA attorneys perform a broad range of work including pesticide sales and use enforcement, assisting in the development of regulations to protect human health and the environment, and advising on the legal requirements of environmental and other laws.

Prepares written opinions and advice to the department management on legal issues arising out of departmental programs and the legal effect of laws, regulations, rules, court decisions and administrative actions. Provides legal support services associated with the implementation of department programs and functions. Reviews investigations regarding violations of pesticide laws and regulations; evaluates evidence and prepares or assists in preparing accusations, statements of issues, complaints, briefs, demand letters, and other legal documents for litigation before hearing officers, administrative law judges, and trial or appellate courts.

Works with and assists Deputy Attorneys Generals to defend writs challenging actions taken by the Department and on cases involving discipline of department licensees or civil prosecution of pesticide laws and regulation violators, or District Attorneys on pesticide violation criminal prosecution cases, or Department of Personnel Administration attorneys on cases involving department personnel; presents administrative civil penalty cases before the Director or the Director's designated hearing officer. Conducts negotiations to settle actions to levy civil administrative fines.

Advises and prepares or assists in preparing cease and desist orders, notices of intended crop seizure, and other legal documents; responds or assists in responding to requests for public records and subpoenas for records. Drafts legislation, regulations, and correspondence; writes bill analyses; reviews correspondence, bill analyses, regulations, adverse actions, or other documents developed by departmental staff; advises county agricultural commissioners.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• Incumbent may be required to travel and work irregular hours.
• Ability to use a computer up to 8 hours a day.
• Occasional statewide travel with occasional overnight stays.

NOTE: This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, subject to the candidate meeting telework eligibility criteria set forth in the CalEPA telework policy and/or future program need. Employees not residing in California are not eligible for telework. Regardless of telework eligibility, all employees may be required to report to the position’s designated headquarters location, as indicated on their duty statement, at their own expense.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) California State Bar License License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

• This position is designated Conflict of Interest and requires disclosure of economic interests.
• If education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must include a copy of your degree and/or unofficial transcripts in order to verify you meet the minimum qualifications. If you use unofficial transcripts to verify you meet the minimum qualifications, you must provide official transcripts prior to your start date, if selected for the position.
• Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information includes, but is not limited to: basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, marital status, age, national origin, medical conditions, and use of medical leave.

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:

• Awareness of diverse communities and regional demographics.
• Knowledge or experience working with diverse cultural communities
• Ability to communicate respectfully and with sensitivity.
• Ability to listen, communicate, and persuade in order to reach a mutually acceptable solution in the negotiation context.
• Skill in developing and maintaining cooperative relationships with others, including developing trust and credibility with co-workers and stakeholders.
• Ability to research, analyze, and apply legal principles and precedents to specific facts. Ability to communicate and explain legal issues clearly and logically both orally and in wiriting to those not trained in the law.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and track a number of concurrent assignments.
• Ability to gracefully accept constructive criticism and provide active collaboration to achieve a more successful output.

Benefits

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

Critical Job Competencies

Communication (oral, written, organizational, non-verbal): Make clear and convincing oral presentations to individuals or groups; Inform, persuade, build consensus; know the audience, facilitate open exchange of ideas/opinions; select and use appropriate communication approach; actively listen; effectively use e-mail; avoid mixed messages – the body language says one thing, the words another; apply business-writing principles to all written communications.

Decisiveness: Make decisions in a decisive and timely manner; accept accountability for decisions; perceive impact and implications of decisions; take action consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.

Conflict Resolution: Turn conflict into opportunity for success; apply alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to specific situations.

Technical Credibility: Understand and appropriately apply procedures, requirements, policies, and regulations related to specialized expertise; possess up-to-date knowledge in the profession and industry and access other expert resources when appropriate; translate concepts and ideas into strategies and action steps.

Ethics/Integrity: Create culture of trusting relationships; promote organizational vision and values through ethical leadership principles; tell it straight; admit mistakes; walk the talk – walking example of the vision and values of the organization through own authenticity.

Flexibility/Adaptability: Readily integrate changes midstream into work processes and outputs; demonstrate openness to new organizational structures, procedures, and technology; shift gears comfortably.

Teamwork: Facilitate and maintain cooperative working relationships; work toward accomplishment of group goals; value and encourage the input and expertise of others; foster commitment, team spirit, pride, and trust.

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.