Attorney (JC-510392)

To be considered for this position, you must apply at CalCareers.ca.gov. To apply, you must first create a CalCareers account. Once your account is created, you can search for job code 510392 to locate the job posting and apply. 

Link: CalCareers

Note: This position will no longer be available on CalCareers once the job closes on 4/9/2026. No applications will be accepted after the job closing date.

Please note, the Water Boards do not participate in E-Verify.

The State Water Resources Control Board’s Office of Chief Counsel has an opening for an Attorney in the State Board Water Quality and Administration Branch. The position is located at 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, right in the heart of downtown next to light rail stations and other public transportation. The position currently requires reporting in-person to the office a minimum of two days a week.

The Office of Chief Counsel fosters an intellectually stimulating, dynamic, and very collegial environment, with a strong emphasis on attorney development and mentorship. The Office houses more than 50 attorneys with a diverse set of backgrounds, all of whom share a strong work ethic and a strong commitment to protecting the waters of California. Attorneys are allowed significant independence in setting priorities and managing their work and time.

Duties:

The State Water Resources Control Board and the nine Regional Water Quality Control Boards are the principal state agencies for the coordination and control of water quality in the State of California. As part of their water quality functions, the Water Boards administer state and federal clean water programs that include adopting water quality control plans and regulatory policies that establish water quality standards and implementation programs, issuing permits that protect the quality of all waters of the state, issuing site remediation orders, and other actions to protect waters of the state. The State Board Water Quality and Administration Branch provides legal counsel to State Water Board Members, management, and the State Water Board’s Division of Water Quality in matters relating to water quality control planning, waste discharge permitting, enforcement, and environmental cleanups under the Clean Water Act and the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act and other state and federal laws. Attorneys also advise on California Environmental Quality Act, Administrative Procedure Act, Public Records Act, Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, environmental justice, and related issues, and assist and work with the Attorney General in litigation involving the State Water Board.

The practice is varied and interesting. It includes participation in complex administrative adjudications and general representation of the board and assisting in civil litigation involving the board’s actions. This position presents an opportunity to gain entry into the exciting and dynamic field of water quality law. Under the direction of an Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel, the attorneys work independently in a fast-paced, collegial environment.

Additional information:

Candidates must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class.

If the position requires driving, you must possess a current and valid driver’s license. Please Do Not include full Social Security Number, method of eligibility, and LEAP information in your application package.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking this brief survey: Recruitment Survey.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Positions at the Water Boards may be eligible for telework with in-person attendance based on the operational needs of the position and might be expected to comply with Executive Order (EO) 22-25 after July 1, 2026.

In accordance with the Statewide Telework Policy and GC 14200, the successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.  Proof of residency may be required.

Salary Information - CalHR salary rules allow appointment at the entrance rate (Cal. Code Regs., tit. 2, § 599.673) of a classification. For classes with alternate ranges, placement is based on education/experience. Employees appointed to the Attorney or Water Resource Control Engineer classification will receive Recruitment Higher Above Minimum (HAM) rate in accordance with the approved Civil Service Pay Scales.

In addition, note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Job type: Full-Time

$7,969.00 - $12,026.00 per Month

The Water Resources Control Board is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSFL) Qualified Employer.