"General Counsel"

Job Description and Duties

Job Description:
The General Counsel serves as the chief legal advisor to the Board of Governors, the Chancellor, and Chancellor’s Office staff, and is a key member of the Executive Cabinet, contributing to the development and implementation of agency policies and initiatives. The General Counsel provides strategic leadership for the Office of General Counsel, overseeing its legal, management, and policy functions, and plays a central role in addressing complex and high-impact issues affecting the community colleges and education system.

Note to Applicants: Anyone seeking to apply must reply to each Statement Of Qualifications prompt or may otherwise be disqualified.

How did you hear about this position? Tell us in a brief survey.

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

Working Conditions

This position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time. Incumbent must live and work in California. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The office is located in a multi-story building in downtown Sacramento. Work requires the use of a personal computer 65-85% of time. Please note: Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee’s monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period in accordance with the applicable bargaining contract. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

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.

• C. E. A.

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-496544

Position #(s): 364-200-7500-001

Working Title: General Counsel

Classification: C. E. A.

$10,349.00 - $21,370.00 Please Note: New to state salary rule may not apply to CEA applicants. 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: Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Work Shift: 8:00am-5:00pm

Work Week: Monday-Friday

Department Information

Vision 2030 | California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office (cccco.edu)
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, with over 2 million students attending 116 colleges. Our colleges provide students with the knowledge and background necessary to compete in today’s economy. With a wide range of educational offerings, the colleges provide workforce training, basic courses in English and math, certificate and degree programs and preparation for transfer to four-year institutions.

The mission of the California Community Colleges Board of Governors and the Chancellor's Office is to empower the community colleges through leadership, advocacy and support.

The Chancellor’s Office values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We share responsibility for creating an equitable, diverse and inclusive community and we see these values as connected to our mission and critical to ensure the well-being of our staff and the students we serve.

For more information, see http://www.cccco.edu/

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Law Degree & Current CA Bar Membership License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) provides detailed information about your experiences and allows the hiring manger to better assess your qualifications for this position. The SOQ demonstrates your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. The SOQ should be formatted with individually numbered responses to the five (5) questions listed below. Resumes and cover letters will not be considered a substitute for the required SOQ. Each response within the SOQ must include reference to the correlating number and/or question.

1. Describe your legal background and how your background supports the mission, structure, and governance of the California Community Colleges system and the role of General Counsel for the Chancellor’s Office? Please include examples that demonstrate the breadth and depth of your expertise.
2. What experience do you have providing legal counsel to boards, commissions, or similar governing bodies. In your view, what is the role of the General Counsel in supporting the Chancellor’s Office and the Board of Governors in fulfilling their responsibilities?
3. Describe your experience in performing legal research, analysis, and writing in the context of advice memoranda, regulation drafting, contracting, and litigation from both state and federal laws. Please provide insight into the quantity and sophistication of the work you have performed.
4. Describe your experience in managing attorneys and related support staff, including reference to the management practices you have employed.
5. Provide an example of a time you advised executive leadership on a particularly sensitive, complex, or high-profile legal matter. What factors did you consider in formulating your advice, and what was the outcome?

Please do NOT add any confidential information to your application or supporting documentation such as: social security number, date of birth, disability information, LEAP status, examination scores, pictures, etc. When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

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: 11/30/2025

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:
Board of Governors, California Community Colleges
N/A
Attn: People and Culture Operations Office, Human Resources
1102 Q Street, #4400
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Board of Governors, California Community Colleges
N/A
People and Culture Operations Office, Human Resources
1102 Q Street, #4400
Sacramento, CA 95811
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.
• Degree and/or School Transcripts
• Statement of Qualifications -
  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) - See the Special Requirements Section on this bulletin for specific SOQ instructions. APPLICANTS WHO FAIL TO SUBMIT A STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE ELIMINATED FROM THE EXAMINATION.

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.

Minimum Qualifications

Refer to CalHR's Classification Specifications for more information about Career Executive Assignment (CEA) (7500).

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. Extensive Legal Expertise – Demonstrated experience providing legal counsel in areas relevant to higher education, state governance, administrative law, labor and employment, contracts, or public agency operations.
2. Strategic Leadership – Proven ability to lead and manage a legal team or office, set priorities, and align legal strategy with organizational goals and policy objectives.
3. Board and Executive Advisory Experience – Experience advising boards, commissions, or senior executives on complex, high-profile, or sensitive legal and policy matters.
4. Policy Development and Implementation – Skill in interpreting and applying statutes, regulations, and case law to inform policy development, rulemaking, and compliance in a public-sector environment.
5. Collaborative and Diplomatic Approach – Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders, including state agencies, legislative staff, and educational institutions.
6. Commitment to Equity and Public Service – Understanding of and commitment to advancing the mission of the California Community Colleges, including equity, access, and student success through sound legal and ethical guidance.

Examination Information

See the Special Requirements Section on this bulletin for specific SOQ instructions.

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. Chancellor's Office team members are eligible for a number of benefits. Health benefits and leave programs are available for most team members.

• Telework Schedule Options
• Tuition Reimbursement up to $1500 for eligible employees
• Transfer, Training, and Advancement Opportunities
• Discounted Public Transit
• Numerous Discounts for CA State employees through LifeMart

Please see the California Department of Human Resources benefits website: http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/salary-and-benefits.aspx for further information.