Assistant Chief Counsel

Job Description And Duties

The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel position is in the Office of the Director, Legal Unit (known as “OD Legal”). OD Legal serves as the general counsel’s office for DIR and provides advice and representation to the DIR Director, department leadership, and division chiefs in the performance of their statutory functions. The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel manages the work of Attorney Supervisors, attorneys, ranging from the Attorney to Attorney V classifications, investigators, analysts, and legal secretaries.

Under the direction of the Chief Counsel and in coordination with other Assistant Chief Counsels, the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel oversees the office’s representation and legal advice to the Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), the Department, and division chiefs and managers in a variety of subject areas within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Department, which are broadly in the labor and employment area.

The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel is responsible for ensuring that the unit attorneys provide the best representation to the Director of DIR in special types of workers’ compensation cases involving trust funds administered by the Director (SIBTF, UEBTF and DWD). In addition, the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel leads one or more of the unit’s practice teams, such as the unit’s SPB appeals and internal labor and employment team;

the hearing officer team; or the contracts review and advice team, among others. The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel must also ensure that unit attorneys provide prompt and accurate legal advice to Department executives and division chiefs with respect to issues involving public works, prevailing wages, Public Records Act, public contracting, privacy, litigation, and other matters concerning a wide variety of legal issues that may arise in the operation of the Department.

In the absence of the assigned unit attorneys, the Assistant Chief Counsel may perform these duties directly.

The Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel plans, directs, and reviews the work performed by legal staff who advise and represent the Department and its executive leadership. The position directly supervises Attorneys, Attorney IIIs, Attorney IVs, Attorney Vs, and Attorney Supervisors involved in the most difficult and complex work of the Department. In the absence of the Chief Counsel the individual may assume the role of the chief legal counsel to the Department and its executive leadership.

The Assistant Chief Counsel also assists and works with the Attorney General’s Office and serves as in‑house counsel in litigation matters. The Assistant Chief Counsel works with broad discretion and independence with minimum supervision.

This is a full‑time, permanent position. The hours are usual business hours Monday through Friday. Employees in this position are expected to work all hours as necessary to accomplish their assignments. Although they will generally average a 40‑hour week, longer work hours may occasionally be required. There is some flexibility as to the specific work schedule, which will be determined after hire in consultation with the Chief Counsel.

This position may be eligible for some amount of telework with in‑person attendance based on the operational needs of the position.

In order to apply for this position, please submit:

• The State standard application form completed completely and carefully
• Resume
• Statement of Qualifications
• A cover letter that addresses your work experience and your interest in the position
• A recent legal writing sample of your own work product

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

To be considered for this Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel 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  to access the exam bulletin:
Exam Bulletin

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