Job Description

Job Description and Duties

The Division of Petroleum Market Oversight (DPMO or “Division”) at the California Energy Commission seeks a Deputy Chief for Enforcement (Attorney IV / III). The Division is the first-in-the-nation oversight agency focused on the transportation fuels market and Division attorneys have an opportunity to work directly and closely with the state’s principal energy policymakers.

Under the general supervision of the Division Chief and branch manager, the incumbent will be responsible for independently advising the Division on the full range of its work. The Division conducts independent oversight and analysis of the transportation fuels markets for the protection of consumers by identifying market design flaws, market power abuses, and any other manner by which market participants act to harm competition or act contrary to the best interests of consumers. The Division also provides guidance and recommendations to the Governor, members of the Energy Commission, and other divisions of the California Energy Commission on issues related to transportation fuels pricing and transportation decarbonization in California.

The incumbent will provide legal advice and support to DPMO on implementation of two groundbreaking laws enacted in special legislative sessions over the past two years, Senate Bill X1-2 (Stats. 2023, 1st Ex. Sess. 2023), and Assembly Bill X2-1 (Stats. 2024, 2d Ex. Sess. 2023-24), and perform a variety of functions, including:

• Provide legal team leadership and advice concerning competition-related matters that impacts transportation fuel markets, including antitrust analyses and counseling.
• Perform difficult and complex legal work related to investigations, including investigation design, drafting and enforcing investigative subpoenas, marshaling facts discovered through the investigation process, analyzing cutting-edge legal issues, and preparing prosecution recommendations.
• Perform cutting-edge regulatory and legislative work related to DPMO’s mission and role in implementing new authorities provided in the two recent special session laws addressing transportation fuels (SB X1-2 and AB X2-1), which often requires a high degree of legal innovation.
• Coordinate and facilitate communications with other state and federal agencies working on similar issues.
• Provide legal advice on a wide variety of related matters, including laws concerning confidential information, conflicts of interest, and transportation decarbonization policy issues.

Minimum Qualifications (MQs): The MQs for this classification can be found at  Attorney Series - CalHR . The documents you submit in your application package must highlight how you meet the MQs. If the MQs are not met, you will not be considered for this position.
Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey at  .
Please note: CalHR has authorized a “hire-above-minimum” salary for candidates hired as Attorney IV (Range A) at the rate of $12,925.00 per month.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

This position provides hybrid telework opportunities. Beginning July 1, 2025, employees may be required to work in-person at least four days per week under the Energy Commission's telework policy currently under development as required by Executive Order N-22-25 and current CalHR guidance. CEC will review requests for exemptions on a case-by-case basis, with consideration to operational needs and the benefits of in-person interaction. Teleworking is only available for employees who reside in California. You must be located in California and provide your in-state address prior to your start date. Regular and consistent attendance is essential to successful performance. Occasional travel may be required based on the needs of the division.

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

Special Requirements

You must include the following if you are applying by mail or in person:

1) How you are eligible (list eligibility, transfer within state service, reinstatement, SROA/surplus, etc.) in the Explanations box on the first page of the STD. 678.

2) The Job Control number 473022 and the title of the position you are applying for in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) box on the first page of the STD. 678.

3) Request for Personnel Action Number RPA 154-326 in the Explanations box of the STD. 678.

4) Your original signature at the bottom of the first page of the STD. 678.

5) Include unofficial school transcripts with your application package if the position you are applying for has an educational requirement. You may be required to provide official transcripts if hired.

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:

The successful applicant should have strong analytical and writing skills and have knowledge and experience, or demonstrated interest, in: (1) antitrust, economics, competition policy, or regulated utilities; (2) complex investigations and related discovery/hearings; (3) energy market regulation; or (4) investigating forms of unfair competition or deceptive practices. All applicants must be a member of the State Bar of California.  

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

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 - Proof of CA Bar Admission (Note: you are eligible to apply for this position prior to taking/passing the CA Bar exam however, you cannot be hired until passing the bar and are sworn in)
• Other - Writing Sample – Include a writing sample of approximately 5-10 pages in length containing a legal document (e.g., brief, memorandum, decision, or pleading) for which you were the primary author. You may edit or redact the writing sample to meet the page limit and to remove any privileged or confidential information.
• Other - School Transcripts – If you have been awarded a juris doctorate or another professional degree, include your unofficial school transcript(s) with your application package. If hired, you may be required to provide official transcripts.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Temporary work, Second job, Remote job,

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