Land Use and Conservation Attorney (DAG through DAG V)

About the role

The Land Use and Conservation Section provides the opportunity to work on matters of critical importance to the State. The section’s practice includes enforcing state housing laws; ensuring public access to California’s waterways, mountains, and open space through litigation and client advice; conservation and expansion of state parks and other public lands for recreation and ecological protection; and protecting against wildfire risk. The section's attorneys are experienced in laws pertaining to environmental land use and natural resource regulation (including CEQA), real property, the California Coastal Act, the public trust doctrine, oil and gas development, housing, and administrative procedure.

The section represents a variety of agencies including the Department of Housing and Community Development, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the State Lands Commission, the Delta Stewardship Council, the High-Speed Rail Authority, California's land conservancies, the California Coastal Commission, and the Department of Conservation.

Responsibilities

• Litigate all phases of cases in California and federal courts
• Render legal advice on an ongoing basis to all clients and to the Attorney General

Qualifications

Desirable qualifications include excellent legal research and writing skills and experience with all phases of litigation.

Pay

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

• Deputy Attorney General: $7,969.00 - $12,026.00
• Deputy Attorney General III: $10,852.00 - $15,325.00
• Deputy Attorney General IV: $11,993.00 - $16,096.00
• Deputy Attorney General V: $12,659.00 - $16,883.00

The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary. Starting salaries for each classification:

• Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,846
• Deputy Attorney General 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): $14,051

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

Schedule

Permanent, full-time positions with hybrid telework options.

Benefits

• Work-life balance
• 11 paid holidays
• Flexible paid leave options
• Consistent wage increases
• Pension retirement
• Job stability
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

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.

Location

These positions are located in the Division of Public Rights, Land Use and Conservation Section, and may be filled in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, or Oakland. Applicants should indicate their preferred city in their cover letter.

Multiple positions are available.