Environmental Attorney (Attorney IV)

Job Description and Duties Attorney IV Under general direction of an Attorney Supervisor at the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), at the advanced journey level, the incumbent works on the more complex and difficult legal assignments. The incumbent independently performs, studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other authorities; provides oral and written advice to staff; drafts and negotiates the more complex contracts and agreements; works with broad discretion and independence with minimum supervision; and is expected to have advanced knowledge and be an expert in the more complex areas of the law within real property and state and federal laws and regulations impacting the high-speed rail program. The incumbent works closely with and directs private outside counsel and the Attorney General’s Office regarding legal advice and litigation. Attorney III Under general direction of an Attorney Supervisor at the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority), at the full journey level, the incumbent works on complex difficult legal assignments. The incumbent studies, interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other authorities; provides oral and written advice to staff; drafts and negotiates complex contracts and agreements; works with broad discretion and independence with minimum supervision; and is expected to have knowledge and be an expert in real property and state and federal laws and regulations impacting the high-speed rail program. The incumbent works closely with and directs private outside counsel and the Attorney General’s Office regarding legal advice and litigation. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. An SOQ is a narrative that describes your qualifications for this position. The SOQ must be no more than two (2) pages, 12-point font, organized and numbered as reflected below. You must respond to all the following items. Applicants who do not follow these requirements may be disqualified from the hiring process. 1. Describe your experience advising clients regarding laws, rules, regulations and policy development; specifically in the areas of real property or eminent domain. Provide specific examples of real property or eminent domain issues that you have been involved in and explain your role in them, their context, outcome and level of complexity. 2. Describe your experience successfully representing a government client in negotiating agreements. Applications received without the SOQ may not be considered. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered in the place of the SOQ. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, website searches, and third-party reviewers can be helpful in researching responses to the SOQ; however, by submitting your application for this position, you understand and acknowledge the SOQ you submit is your own work, in your own words, and accurately reflects your knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences. Submitting an SOQ that is not your own may be cause for disqualification from the hiring process. For assistance in completing the SOQ, please reach out to the Human Resources contact below. 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: • Strong written and oral communication skills.• Ability to conduct legal research and writing, sometimes under short deadlines.• Experience drafting legal documents such as legislation, regulations or contracts.• Ability to exercise a high degree of initiative, flexibility, judgment and confidentiality.• Ability to operate independently, but with the judgment to know when to ask for assistance and guidance from a supervisor or colleague.• Ability to represent the Authority in dealings with other government agencies and private entities in a way that reflects well on the Authority.• Ability to advise high-level governmental or corporate entitles on environmental legal matters. • Dependable, punctual, excellent attendance.• Knowledge of the Authority organization, operations and relevant policy issues. • Ability to effectively communicate complex legal ideas and terms to clients and other stakeholders.• Prepare correspondence involving inclusion of recommendations for effective courses of action.• Experience weighing legal, technical, and/or political risks to provide sound legal recommendations. • Experience researching unique and novel infrastructure project legal issues to provide sound guidance or recommendations to clients. • Experience negotiating and/or litigating complex contracts or settlements. • Exercise good judgment and calm professionalism in all situations.