Criminal Prosecutions Attorney (Deputy Attorney General IV)

Department of Justice · United States · San Diego County

Salary: $11,993 – $16,096 per month

Closes: 2026-11-12T00:00:00.000Z

Job description and requirements

Job Description and Duties The Government Law Section often handles complex, difficult, and sensitive legal assignments for the Bureau of Firearms involving firearms-related statutes, regulations, ordinances, and court decisions, to help effectuate California’s firearms laws and policy prerogatives. This includes providing daily written and oral advice to the Bureau of Firearms’ leadership team, civil staff managers, and supervising peace officers, as well as all levels of management within the Department of Justice on firearms-related legal issues. The Bureau of Firearms, which is within the Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement, serves the people of California through education, regulation, and enforcement actions regarding the manufacture, sales, ownership, safety training, and transfer of firearms. As a result, the Government Law Section also works with the Bureau of Firearms on: consulting with state and federal law enforcement agencies, other public agencies, firearms manufacturers and dealers, other relevant stakeholders, and the public on firearms-related legal issues; drafting and analyzing legislative measures and regulations; and managing and occasionally directly handling litigation related to firearms and Second Amendment issues on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office. In addition, attorneys in this position may have the opportunity to work on other matters handled by the section, which involves representing and advising state officers and agencies (such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and the Department of Finance) in the defense of state statutes or in affirmative litigation, including against the federal government, in furtherance of state policies and goals. Our legal matters concern a wide range of issues, including constitutional law and statutory interpretation, administrative procedure, government operations, firearms and other public-safety laws, federal funding, elections, internet privacy, federalism, labor and union issues, housing reform, criminal justice reform, criminal information, state mandates, and other matters. Representation includes regular appearances and argument in state and federal courts throughout the State at all stages of litigation, at both the trial and appellate levels, and in other jurisdictions as required by case needs. Attorneys also prepare titles and summaries for ballot measures and analyze proposed state legislation. If you are well qualified and desire to be part of a talented team that furthers California's important public interests every day, then we strongly encourage you to apply. GLS deputies may largely choose whether to telework or come into the office. There are times when in-office attendance may be required for meetings or operational reasons; in addition, court appearances, hearings, oral arguments, mediations, and other proceedings require in-person attendance. Deputies are also expected to be able to report to the office if an urgent need arises, and, whether teleworking or in the office, are expected to be available for meetings and to promptly respond to emails and phone calls during regular business hours. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements • A fingerprint check may be required • Clearly indicate the Job Control (JC-536432) 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. • May be required to travel to remote locations within the State, sometimes with little notice. • If you are sending a paper application, please email the HR contact listed below in order to confirm receipt of your materials. • Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations: • DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/Attorney Examination • DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination • DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination 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: Excellent research, analytical, writing, public speaking, and oral-communication skills. Judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters. Ability to balance and prioritize multiple projects, including unplanned ones, and meet time-sensitive deadlines. Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure. Ability to work independently and as a team member with both attorney and non-attorney colleagues. Ability to maintain good client relations and to provide clear and concise legal advice to non-attorney colleagues. Initiative and ability to self-educate when confronted by complex and multi-dimensional problems. Computer literacy and research skills are strongly desired. Interest in and demonstrated aptitude for handling complex, high-profile litigation, often on an abbreviated schedule. Litigation experience in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels.
Show full description and requirements

Job Description and Duties

The Government Law Section often handles complex, difficult, and sensitive legal assignments for the Bureau of Firearms involving firearms-related statutes, regulations, ordinances, and court decisions, to help effectuate California’s firearms laws and policy prerogatives. This includes providing daily written and oral advice to the Bureau of Firearms’ leadership team, civil staff managers, and supervising peace officers, as well as all levels of management within the Department of Justice on firearms-related legal issues. The Bureau of Firearms, which is within the Department of Justice’s Division of Law Enforcement, serves the people of California through education, regulation, and enforcement actions regarding the manufacture, sales, ownership, safety training, and transfer of firearms. As a result, the Government Law Section also works with the Bureau of Firearms on: consulting with state and federal law enforcement agencies, other public agencies, firearms manufacturers and dealers, other relevant stakeholders, and the public on firearms-related legal issues; drafting and analyzing legislative measures and regulations; and managing and occasionally directly handling litigation related to firearms and Second Amendment issues on behalf of the Attorney General’s Office.

In addition, attorneys in this position may have the opportunity to work on other matters handled by the section, which involves representing and advising state officers and agencies (such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Controller, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and the Department of Finance) in the defense of state statutes or in affirmative litigation, including against the federal government, in furtherance of state policies and goals. Our legal matters concern a wide range of issues, including constitutional law and statutory interpretation, administrative procedure, government operations, firearms and other public-safety laws, federal funding, elections, internet privacy, federalism, labor and union issues, housing reform, criminal justice reform, criminal information, state mandates, and other matters. Representation includes regular appearances and argument in state and federal courts throughout the State at all stages of litigation, at both the trial and appellate levels, and in other jurisdictions as required by case needs. Attorneys also prepare titles and summaries for ballot measures and analyze proposed state legislation. If you are well qualified and desire to be part of a talented team that furthers California's important public interests every day, then we strongly encourage you to apply.

GLS deputies may largely choose whether to telework or come into the office. There are times when in-office attendance may be required for meetings or operational reasons; in addition, court appearances, hearings, oral arguments, mediations, and other proceedings require in-person attendance. Deputies are also expected to be able to report to the office if an urgent need arises, and, whether teleworking or in the office, are expected to be available for meetings and to promptly respond to emails and phone calls during regular business hours.


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

Special Requirements

  • A fingerprint check may be required
  • Clearly indicate the Job Control (JC-536432) 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.
  • May be required to travel to remote locations within the State, sometimes with little notice.
  • If you are sending a paper application, please email the HR contact listed below in order to confirm receipt of your materials.
  • Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:

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:


Excellent research, analytical, writing, public speaking, and oral-communication skills. Judgment and discretion in handling sensitive matters. Ability to balance and prioritize multiple projects, including unplanned ones, and meet time-sensitive deadlines. Ability to maintain professionalism under pressure. Ability to work independently and as a team member with both attorney and non-attorney colleagues. Ability to maintain good client relations and to provide clear and concise legal advice to non-attorney colleagues. Initiative and ability to self-educate when confronted by complex and multi-dimensional problems. Computer literacy and research skills are strongly desired. Interest in and demonstrated aptitude for handling complex, high-profile litigation, often on an abbreviated schedule. Litigation experience in federal and state courts at both the trial and appellate levels.

About this opportunity

Salary context

The annualized midpoint for this posting is $168,534. That matches the $168,534 median among 7 current California public jobs with the same normalized title.

More jobs at this employer

Department of Justice currently has 57 other open positions in this database.

Regional hiring context

There are 52 current state openings in San Diego County, including this position.

Application timeline

Applications close in 8 days, on November 12, 2026.

Posting history

This posting appears on CalCareers. CA Public Jobs first observed it on October 29, 2026. It was last verified open on November 4, 2026.

View the official posting