California Energy Commission
JC\-517908 *
Assistant Chief Counsel
ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
$14,513\.00 \- $17,742\.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 5/26/2026
Application Methods:Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop\-off
Job Description and Duties
The Chief Counsel’s Office is a full\-service legal team that advances the mission of the California Energy Commission (Commission) by providing pragmatic solutions\-oriented legal services and counsel to support sound decision\-making throughout the organization. Under the general supervision of the Chief Counsel, each Assistant Chief Counsel performs the most complex and sensitive legal work in the office. Each Assistant Chief Counsel is assigned to supervise a unit and subject matter areas within the Chief Counsel’s Office as determined by the Chief Counsel. The Assistant Chief Counsel for the Advocacy and Compliance Unit will supervise a unit that is comprised of attorneys who advise Commission staff and Commissioners on permitting proceedings for renewable energy projects under the Opt\-in Certification Program. (The Commission is the lead CEQA agency for environmental review and permitting for any clean energy facility that elects to opt into the Commission’s jurisdiction under the Opt\-In Certification Program.) Attorneys in the Advocacy and Compliance Unit also advise staff on proceedings for the certification of thermal power plants, post\-certification amendments, and an exemption process for eligible small power plants (including backup generation for data centers), as well as on compliance and enforcement matters, including for clean energy facilities and thermal power plants licensed by the Commission, appliance energy efficiency standards and building energy efficiency standards. They also coordinate the Commission’s analysis of relevant proposed legislation and relevant Public Records Act requests.
Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at Attorney Series\-CalHR. The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position.
Education Information: If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please provide your unofficial transcripts. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide evaluated transcripts. The transcript evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at
https://www.naces.org. Official transcripts and official foreign degree transcripts will be required prior to appointment. If you are not using education to qualify for this classification, you do not need to submit transcripts. To bypass the required document, select Choose/Upload and select Bypass File.
Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at CEC Recruitment Survey
Working Conditions
The CEC supports a hybrid workplace model with office\-based and remote\-centered workers. Limited in\-person attendance and occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. This position is remote\-centered, which means the incumbent works 50 percent or more of their time from an alternate work location.
Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in\-state address prior to your start date.
Position Details
Job Code \#: JC\-517908
Position \#(s):
535\-140\-5871\-003
Working Title: Assistant Chief Counsel
Classification: ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
$14,513\.00 \- $17,742\.00
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
Department Information
The CEC was established by the Legislature in 1974 to address energy challenges facing the state. Today, the CEC is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency and is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. Serving all Californians, the CEC embodies diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has taken an active and meaningful role in creating an environment that enables each employee to thrive. The CEC operates under the umbrella of the California Natural Resources Agency and shares offices with the agency in a LEED Platinum Certified Building in downtown Sacramento.
The California Energy Commission seeks an Assistant Chief Counsel in the Chief Counsel’s Office. If you are interested in a challenging and exciting career in clean energy and are passionate about renewable, efficient, and reliable energy that addresses climate change, join our diverse team of global energy leaders! The California Energy Commission plays a lead role in creating the energy system of the future, not just in California, but globally.
This position is open to interested applicants who qualify. This can be a multi\-step process. To be eligible to be hired:
1\) Create an online CalCareers account. For a tutorial on the state application process, visit California State Hiring Process Instructional Video Series – YouTube or contact Careers@energy.ca.gov.
2\) Complete and pass the ACC exam to be eligible to be hired for available positions. See information on Energy Commission Assessments and Exams.
3\) To apply for this position, submit an application package through your CalCareers account. An application package must include all items under the “Required Application Package Documents” section. Resumes will not be accepted in place of a State Examination and Employment Application (STD. 678\). Applications must include “to” and “from” dates (month/day/year), time base (full\-time/part\-time/number of hours per week/month), and applicable civil service classifications.
*State employees are subjected to a temporary reduction in pay in exchange of 2025 Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific reduction rate and hours were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit agreement.*
Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov
Special Requirements
1\) How you are eligible (list eligibility, transfer within state service, reinstatement, SROA/surplus, etc.) in the Explanations box on the first page of the STD. 678\.
2\) The Job Control number 517908 and the title of the position you are applying for in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) box on the first page of the STD. 678\.
3\) Request for Personnel Action Number 140\-252 in the Explanations box of the STD. 678\.
4\)Your original signature at the bottom of the first page of the STD. 678\.
5\) Include unofficial school transcripts with your application package if the position you are applying for has an educational requirement. You may be required to provide official transcripts if hired.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 5/26/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678\) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
California Energy Commission
Personnel Office \- Postal
Attn: RPA 140\-252\|JC\-517908
715 P Street, MS\-3
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop\-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
California Energy Commission
Personnel Office \- Drop Off
RPA 140\-252\|JC\-517908
715 P Street, MS\-3
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM \- 05:00 PM
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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
- Other \- Cover Letter \- Include a cover letter of no more than two\-pages in length describing why you are the best candidate for this position.
- Other \- Proof of CA Bar Admission (Note: you are eligible to apply for this position prior to taking/passing the CA Bar exam however, you cannot be hired until passing the bar and are sworn in).
- Other \- Writing Sample \- Include a recent writing sample of 3\-10 pages in length containing a brief, memorandum, decision, or pleading for which you were the primary author. You may edit or redact the writing sample to meet the page limit and to remove any privileged or confidential information.
- Statement of Qualifications \-
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
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:
(1\) Knowledge of state environmental laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act and its implementing regulations.
(2\) Knowledge of state energy laws concerning power plant licensing.
(3\) Knowledge of administrative law, including the California Administrative Procedure Act and the rules and processes governing the conduct of quasi\-adjudicative proceedings.
(4\) Demonstrated experience organizing, directing, and coordinating the work of a team of attorneys.
(5\) Demonstrated personnel and management skills.
(6\) Active membership in the State Bar of California.
Benefits
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Personnel Office
(916\) 654\-4309
personnel.services@energy.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Equal Employment Opportunity Contact
(279\) 226\-1002
EEO@energy.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1\-800\-735\-2929 (TTY), 1\-800\-735\-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Statement of Qualifications
Include an SOQ that answers the questions below. Your SOQ should be no longer thantwo pages, single\-spaced, with no smaller than 12\-point font. Note the number of years of experience and the position(s) held that provided the experience. Applications received without an SOQ will not be considered. Visit How to Write a Statement of Qualifications for instructions.
1\. Demonstrated experience developing pragmatic solutions\-oriented legal advice on consequential matters.
2\. Demonstrated experience applying the California Environmental Quality Act to complex legal and administrative problems involving energy facilities or infrastructure.
3\. Demonstrated ability to present self and ideas to executive management effectively through oral, written and interpersonal skills and gain the confidence and trust of executive management and staff.
4\. Demonstrated ability to exercise exceptional judgment regarding highly sensitive matters.
5\. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and direct a team of attorneys to efficiently and effectively complete complex tasks and projects.
6\. Demonstrated management and leadership experience and skills, including the ability to establish and implement priorities.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug\-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.