Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Correctional Law Section is one of the largest in the Civil Division of the California Attorney General’s Office, with approximately 125 deputies in several locations statewide.

Our section offers opportunities to work on individual civil rights cases, high-profile matters, appeals, and class-actions.  Graduate Legal Assistants in the Correctional Law Section defend state employees in federal and state litigation brought by inmates.  Graduate Legal Assistants provide excellent representation to high-ranking government officials as well as correctional administrators and employees.

Duties include:

• Engaging in all aspects of civil litigation, from inception through trial, settlement, or appeal   
• Investigating facts and analyzing documentary evidence
• Exercising independence and initiative in cases involving cutting-edge issues of Constitutional Law and Civil Rights
• Carrying a caseload while working collaboratively with supervisors and colleagues to achieve excellent results for the State of California
• Traveling as necessary for depositions, witness interviews, client meetings, and site inspections inside correctional institutions statewide  

This is a full-time position, in a collegial office environment, with opportunities for intermittent telework . 

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

• A fingerprint check will be required.

• Travel to state prisons, including some in remote areas, may be required.

• Clearly indicate the Job Control Code ( JC-493516)and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title(s) For Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your State Application.

• Unofficial law school transcripts will be accepted during the application process; however, submission of official transcripts is required prior to appointment.

• Appointment to the Graduate Legal Assistant (GLA) class is limited term. Permanent appointment to the Deputy Attorney General (DAG) class may be based on successful admission to the California State Bar and DAG list eligibility.

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: 12/1/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

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 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:

Department of Justice

OHR-Heather Nguyen

Attn: Heather Nguyen (JC-493516)

1300 I Street Suite 720

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Justice

OHR-Heather Nguyen

Heather Nguyen (JC-493516)

1300 I Street Suite 720

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 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.
• Other - Cover letter. 
• Other - A writing sample consisting of a dispositive motion, pretrial motion, or appellate brief preferably written in the prior year.

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.

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.

Human Resources Contact:
Heather Nguyen
(916) 210-6444
Heather.Nguyen@doj.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:
EEO Officer
(916) 210-7580
EERROffice@doj.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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office,

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