What are the responsibilities and job description for the ATTORNEY IV position at CA High Speed Rail Authority?
Under general direction of the Deputy General Counsel (Assistant Chief Counsel), the Attorney IV will be responsible for providing a broad spectrum of legal advice and guidance on diverse and complex legal topics related to the Authority’s high-speed rail program operations. Among other legal support, the incumbent will research, interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and other authorities to sensitive and complex issues, and provide oral and written legal advice to Authority leadership and staff. This work includes drafting and negotiating complex stipulations or agreements and completing the highly complex and sensitive legal assignments with advanced knowledge of labor and employment law, practices, and case history. The Attorney IV works in a variety of fields, including employment law, reasonable accommodation, workers compensation, discrimination, harassment, employee compensation, equal employment opportunity law, occupational health and safety, employee benefits and compensation, personal information and data privacy for workers. The Attorney IV interprets the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and related agreements, such as Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) to provide high-quality counsel and advice regarding Authority personnel matters. The Attorney IV also manages other Authority-specific cases regarding construction, procurement, conflict of interest, etc. The incumbent works closely with private outside counsel, Legal Office management, and the Attorney General’s Office on litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
This advertisement is posted as Open Until Filled and the advertisement will remain open until the vacancy is filled. Cut-offs for applications will be every other Friday, starting March 6, 2026, and applications will be reviewed per those cut-off dates. Hires can be made at any time based on the applications received by the cut-off dates.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Part-time telework is available for this position for California residents based on the requirements of the position and may be discussed during the interview process. Hiring interviews may be available virtually, using teleconferencing or video conferencing options.
While working on site, the incumbent works in a professional office environment, in a climate-controlled cubicle which may fluctuate in temperature and is under artificial light. Incumbent will be required to use a computer, mouse, and video display terminal and will be required to sit for long periods of time at a computer screen. Employee must be able to focus for long periods of time, multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Employees may be required to travel outside of their workstation to perform general tasks.
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
ATTORNEY IV
Job Application Package Checklist
Duty Statement
Job Code #:
JC-507564
Position #(s):
311-160-5780-003
Working Title:
Personnel and Contract Attorney
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV
$11,993.00 - $16,096.00
A
Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals.
For additional information please visit https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Are you looking for a different type of state government job? Something with a little more excitement and a more fast-paced and fluid environment? How about an opportunity to be part of one of the most remarkable transportation projects in California's history? The California High-Speed Rail Authority is a small and dynamic state agency that is looking for employees who are interested in a challenging and rewarding job opportunity.
Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey. Completing this survey is not required to be considered for this vacancy.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HCM6SCC
A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages, 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all the following items. Applicants who do not follow these requirements may be disqualified from the hiring process.
1. Provide an example of your experience providing advice to an organization’s leader(s) and persuading them to implement a change in policy or procedure. Tell us what you did to ensure effective implementation of such policy or procedure.
2. Describe your experience handling personnel or employment matters for a government entity; specifically in the areas of progressive discipline, labor relations, medical management and claims (reasonable accommodation, workers compensation, etc.), merit-based hiring, and equal opportunity matters. Provide specific examples of litigation, stipulations, settlements or resolutions you have been involved in and explain your role in them, their context, outcome and level of complexity.
3. Describe your experience successfully representing a government client in negotiating a complex or sensitive contractual dispute.
Applications received without the SOQ will not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process.
For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources Office contact below.
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:
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to conduct legal research and writing, sometimes under short deadlines.
• Experience drafting legal documents such as legislation, regulations, or similar documents.
• Ability to draft case documents such as notices, pleadings, legal opinions, settlements, and similar documentation.
• Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, flexibility, judgment, and confidentiality.
• Ability to operate independently, but with the judgment to know when to ask for assistance and guidance from a supervisor or colleague.
• Ability to represent the Authority in dealings with other government agencies and private entities in a way that reflects well on the Authority.
• Dependable, punctual, excellent attendance.
• Knowledge of the Authority organization, operations, and relevant policy issues.
• Ability to prepare correspondence involving inclusion of recommendations for effective courses of action.
• Exercise good judgment and calm professionalism in all situations.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of private information.
• Experience with and knowledge of state functions.
• Experience providing legal advice to transportation or large-scale construction contracts.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and revising contracts.
• Ability to negotiate and build relationships with individuals, private entities, and other public entities.
• Experience presenting opinions, ideas or advice in front of numerous individuals.
• Experience advising high-level government or corporate employees/officials.
• Ability to balance priorities from numerous clients regarding an array of subjects and successfully meet deadlines.
• Extensive experience working with California civil service personnel laws in areas including CFRA, FMLA, reasonable accommodations, and EEO.
• Knowledge of workers compensation laws and the ability to provide sound legal guidance on such cases.
• Ability to perform work on and successfully manage a broad variety of legal matters.
Salary : $143,916 - $193,152
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