Senior Attorney (Attorney III)

***APPLY BY 8/3/2026***

Are you an experienced attorney ready to bring your practice into work that supports one of California's most essential public safety agencies, and ready to do it on a hybrid schedule with real state benefits behind you?

As an Attorney III with CAL FIRE, you'll step into a senior legal role at CAL FIRE Headquarters, providing legal counsel, guidance, and representation on matters that directly support the operations of one of the country's largest fire and resource management agencies. This position is built for a mid-to-senior career attorney who understands complex legal work at the state level, and who's ready to bring that expertise into public service at a moment when the state's investment in fire, forestry, and public safety legal capacity is expanding.

This role is ideal for an attorney who thrives on substantive work with real stakes. You'll provide legal counsel on agency matters, support the agency's regulatory, operational, and administrative work, coordinate with client program staff on complex legal issues, and contribute to the broader legal strategy that supports CAL FIRE's mission. Strong writing, careful analysis, and the ability to translate legal complexity into clear guidance for non-attorney partners are central to the work.

This position is located in Sacramento, California, and is a 12-month limited-term senior attorney role with hybrid telework. Hybrid is a legitimate quality-of-life advantage that most senior attorneys in the Sacramento region actively filter for. The limited-term structure offers the chance to take on senior legal work inside a state agency actively expanding its legal capacity, and specialized Attorney III roles frequently convert, extend, or lead to further openings across California's legal community.

This isn't just a state attorney job. It's a chance to do senior legal work inside an agency where the outcomes of your practice directly support California's wildfire response, resource protection, and public safety operations, at a moment when the state is investing at historic scale.

Why CAL FIRE?

• 4 days in office, 1 day remote
• State benefits including health, dental, vision, and retirement
• 12-month limited-term senior attorney role with pathways into further state legal opportunities
• Direct exposure to complex legal work supporting a statewide public safety agency
• Opportunity to build a public sector legal portfolio at a moment when California is investing in fire and public safety legal capacity
• Mission driven team culture focused on service, readiness, and stewardship of public resources

About Sacramento County

Sacramento County offers a strong mix of urban convenience, government employment density, and proximity to some of California's best outdoor escapes. As the state capital, Sacramento is the operational hub for much of California's public sector work, including state government legal practice.

With a lower cost of living than the Bay Area or Southern California, easy access to Lake Tahoe, the Sierra Nevada, the Northern California coast, and the wine regions of Napa and Sonoma, Sacramento County is a strong fit for experienced attorneys who want substantive public sector work and a quality of life that isn't dominated by commute time or law firm billable hour pressure.

Popular cities and communities include:

• Sacramento
• Folsom
• Elk Grove
• Roseville (Placer County, adjacent)
• Davis (Yolo County, adjacent)