State of California
Please note, this is an 'Until Filled' position. The application cut-off dates are September 8, 2025, and September 29, 2025, by 11:59 PM (PST). Interested individuals must submit their application packages by these dates to be considered.
By law, the California Department of Education (CDE) is responsible for administering the State K-12 public education system. Its chief administrative officer is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI), a statewide elected constitutional officer (California Constitution, Article IX, Section 2). The policy board is the State Board of Education (California Constitution, Article IX, Section 7). The position is a chief legal officer of the CDE. Under the general direction of the General Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel manages and administers the Legal Affairs I unit in the Legal Division of the Legal, Audits, and Charters Branch.
The Legal Division oversees the Department’s legal program, including litigation. The Assistant Chief Counsel coordinates, directs, and sets priorities for litigation and legal workloads; applies departmental policy to litigation and administrative hearings; determines tactical approaches to hearings and litigation; prepares legislation, regulations, legal advisories, and opinions; and analyzes federal and state legislation and appellate court decisions for their impact on educational programs across California.
The mission of the Legal Division is to provide timely, thorough legal advice and representation to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the California Department of Education, and the State Board of Education, supporting their official duties and public policy goals.
Additional information about the job can be found in the
Duty Statement
. The State of California offers comprehensive benefits, including: Medical benefits: health, dental, and vision insurance Paid holidays: 11 State holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 2 professional development days 401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus) Employee Assistance Program Commute Program More benefit details are available on CalHR’s website:
Benefits Summary . Minimum Requirements See the Class Specification for details. ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's ability based on experience, the following criteria will be used for selection: Management, supervisory, or lead experience in legal and administrative staff, including budget, contracts, and personnel management. Experience advising high-level State officials or leadership of State boards or commissions, including knowledge of Bagley-Keene, the Public Records Act, and conflict of interest laws. Experience handling complex litigation before courts and tribunals, with knowledge of legal research, court procedures, rules of evidence, and administrative law. Experience with complex transactional matters, including State contracting, procurement, technology projects, and data privacy. Experience in staff development, team building, and providing technical assistance to diverse constituencies. Knowledge of California education laws, including the education code, the Information Practices Act, FERPA, IDEA, ESSA, and EEO laws.
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Duty Statement
. The State of California offers comprehensive benefits, including: Medical benefits: health, dental, and vision insurance Paid holidays: 11 State holidays, 1 personal holiday, and 2 professional development days 401(k) and 457(b) Plans (Savings Plus) Employee Assistance Program Commute Program More benefit details are available on CalHR’s website:
Benefits Summary . Minimum Requirements See the Class Specification for details. ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's ability based on experience, the following criteria will be used for selection: Management, supervisory, or lead experience in legal and administrative staff, including budget, contracts, and personnel management. Experience advising high-level State officials or leadership of State boards or commissions, including knowledge of Bagley-Keene, the Public Records Act, and conflict of interest laws. Experience handling complex litigation before courts and tribunals, with knowledge of legal research, court procedures, rules of evidence, and administrative law. Experience with complex transactional matters, including State contracting, procurement, technology projects, and data privacy. Experience in staff development, team building, and providing technical assistance to diverse constituencies. Knowledge of California education laws, including the education code, the Information Practices Act, FERPA, IDEA, ESSA, and EEO laws.
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