Job Posting: Chief Counsel

California Energy Commission

JC-428710
-
Chief Counsel
C. E. A.

$12,699.00 - $20,144.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 5/17/2024

Job Description and Duties

Under the administrative direction of the Chair of the California Energy Commission, the Chief Counsel plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the legal work of the California Energy Commission; advises the Commissioners, Executive Director, and staff on legal problems; supervises and conducts litigation and resolves legal problems to the highest degree of importance or complexity. This position is highly independent, answering directly to the five Commissioners, who are appointed by the Governor.

This position serves as the Energy Commission’s chief attorney and is responsible for providing advice on all legal matters and issues that may arise in the scope of the Commission carrying out its responsibilities. The Chair and the other Commissioners, as well as the Executive Director, rely on the advice of the Chief Counsel and the Chief Counsel’s Office to formulate and implement agency policy.

A law degree and active membership in the California State Bar is required for the position.

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.  This position is open to interested applicants both inside and outside of state service. To apply and be hired as a new-to-state-service employee, you must:

  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.  

  1. Respond to the Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) listed in the Desirable Qualifications section. The SOQ is the examination for this position. Your score determines your rank. You must score in the top three ranks to be eligible.
  2. 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.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at

CEC Recruitment Survey

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

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.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

    Additional Documents

    Position Details

    Job Code #:
    JC-428710
    Position #(s):
    535-140-7500-001
    Working Title:
    Chief Counsel
    Classification:
    C. E. A.
    $12,699.00 - $20,144.00 C
    # of Positions:
    1
    Work Location:
    Sacramento County
    Telework:
    Hybrid
    Job Type:
    Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, 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 supports a hybrid workplace model with a workforce of office-based and remote-centered workers. 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 a CEA-A in the Chief Counsel Office. If you are interested in a challenging and exciting career in clean energy and are passionate about renewable, efficient, affordable, 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.

    Department Website: https://www.energy.ca.gov

    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: 5/17/2024

    Who May Apply

    Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

    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
    Attn: Mike Sexton, Selections Manager
    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
    Mike Sexton, Selection Manager
    715 P Street, MS-52
    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.
    • Statement of Qualifications -

      A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) describes your experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the desirable qualifications identified in this announcement. The desirable qualifications MUST be numbered and addressed in the same order listed. The Statement of Qualifications serves as documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ should be typed and no longer than (2) pages in length, with standard margins and 12-point font size.

    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.

    Examination Qualification Requirements

    All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

    Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

    General Qualifications

    State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

    Knowledge and Abilities

    Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

    • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
    • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

    These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

    CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

    CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

    CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

    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. Demonstrated experience with legal research methods and analyzing legal principles and precedents and applying them to complex legal and administrative problems. 
    2. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with administrative law, including the conduct of administrative hearings and judicial review of agency decisions. 
    3. Demonstrated effective oral, written, and interpersonal skills with the ability to present self and ideas effectively and gain the confidence and trust of executive management/top level administrators and staff. 
    4. Demonstrated experience drafting pleadings, rulings (decisions or orders), regulations and statutes, and legal memoranda. 
    5. Demonstrated experience analyzing programs, legislation, and legal issues from a broad policy perspective. 
    6. Demonstrated management and leadership experience and skills, including the ability to develop and execute office work plans.
    7. Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with the following areas of California law: environmental, state contracting, rulemaking, open meetings, officeholder ethics, public records, and energy law. 

     

    Examination Information

    The examination will consist of an application screening process conducted by a designated screening committee, using predetermined evaluation criteria based on the minimum and desirable qualifications included within this examination bulletin.  Applicants will be competitively ranked according to their personal qualifications and experience as stated on their application, resume, and Statement of Qualifications. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants complete their application thoroughly and include specific details that address the minimum qualifications and desirable qualifications of this position.

    The SOQ describes your experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the desirable qualifications identified in this announcement under the desirable qualification section. Therefore, it is imperative that applicants complete their application thoroughly and include specific details that address the minimum qualifications and desirable qualifications of this position. The responses must be numbered to match the statements and the SOQ must be no more than 2 pages in length, using a 12-point font. Applicants who fail to submit an SOQ with their application will not be considered.

    If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

    A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

    The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

    Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

    The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

    Special Testing Arrangements

    If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

    Benefits

    Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

    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:
    Mike Sexton
    (916) 461-5571
    mike.sexton@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:
    Carousel Gore
    (916) 661-8122
    Carousel.Gore@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.

    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.

    Application Methods:
    Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
    By Mail
    Drop-off
    Print Job