Environmental Justice and Protection Section

Overview

Job Description And Duties
The Environmental Justice and Protection Section of the California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General is looking for talented, experienced, and dedicated attorneys to work on some of the most challenging and cutting-edge issues in the field of environmental law on behalf of the People of the State of California.

Job Description And Duties
The Environmental Justice and Protection Section handles a broad range of significant environmental matters on behalf of the Attorney General and the State of California. Attorneys in the section practice an array of state and federal laws, including the California Environmental Quality Act, the Hazardous Waste Control Law, the California Endangered Species Act, Proposition 65, and the Unfair Competition Law, as well as federal laws such as the National Environmental Policy Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Federal Power Act, the federal Endangered Species Act, and the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

Attorneys in the section use these laws to address existing and future pollution, mitigate the dangers posed by climate change, pursue equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens in communities, provide information on exposures to toxic chemicals, and reduce health impacts from environmental and other exposures. Attorneys in the Section also represent the Attorney General in litigation involving the federal government and its environmental regulatory and enforcement agencies, participating in rule making and other proceedings before these agencies, engaging with multi-state coalitions, and providing strategic legal advice to the Attorney General.

Position Details

• Job Code #: JC-504760
• Position #(s): -XXX
• Working Title
  :
  Environmental Justice and Protection Section
• Classification
  : DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL IV
• Salary
  : $11,993.00 - $16,096.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

• Shall Consider
  : DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL – $7,969.00 - $12,026.00
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL III – $10,852.00 - $15,325.00
• DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL V – $12,659.00 - $16,883.00

• # of Positions: 1
• Work Location: United States
• Telework: Hybrid
• Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

• This position is located in the Division of Public Rights, Environmental Justice and Protection Section, and may be filled in either San Diego, Oakland, Los Angeles, Fresno or Sacramento. Please clearly indicate your preferred city or cities in the 'Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying' section of your State Application. This position is currently pending budget approval.
• The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary ( Hiring Above Minimum Policy ).

The Starting Salary For Each Classification Will Be

• Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,846 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,956
• Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
• Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
• Deputy Attorney General V (lateral only): $14,051

New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.

• DAG V consideration - lateral transfers only.
• For more information about the Department of Justice, please visit the Attorney General’s website at
• If you'd like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email
• Please visit our webpage:
  Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General.
• Personal Leave Program:
  Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax with holdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR

• Work-life balance
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible paid leave options
• Consistent wage increases
• Pension retirement
• Job stability
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and more!

Responsibilities and Qualifications are described in the text above and include extensive litigation in state and federal environmental law, coordination with District Attorneys, and providing advisory services to the Attorney General and related agencies. Applicants should have significant litigation experience and knowledge of multiple substantive areas of environmental law, with experience in Proposition 65 encouraged. Although this is primarily a litigation position, duties may also include conducting difficult environmental investigations, coordinating with District Attorneys in joint civil and criminal environmental prosecutions, and providing legal advice on an ongoing basis.