Government appointments

Current opportunities

These are open positions you can apply for. This list is current as of October 30, 2024.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities, you may apply at Application for appointment.

Questions? Contact the Appointments Office at appointments.office@gov.ca.gov or 916-445-4541.

Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agencies:

Civil Rights Department  

• Deputy Director, Strategic Initiatives and External Affairs 
  • Provides expert advice and analysis to the executive team on civil rights issues, cases, developments, and trends nationally and in the state. Leads the CA vs. Hate Resource Line and Network and directs the work of the Community Conflict Resolution Unit (CCRU), including reviewing and guiding case work and conducting outreach with stakeholders. Represents and acts for the Department on committees and task forces, in community trainings and outreach and at community conciliations, among other duties 
  • Salary Range: $153,300 – $189,948 

Housing and Community Development 

• Assistant Deputy Director, Fair Housing
  • Serves as senior policy advisor and lead staff in accomplishing the State’s mandated requirements to affirmatively further fair housing and improve state outcomes to reduce racially segregated concentrations of poverty and displacement. Coordinates with federal, state, local government agencies, and non-governmental agencies to assist in meeting requirements
  • Salary Range: $121,597 – $135,453

Transportation:

California State Transportation Agency

• Deputy Secretary for Innovative Mobility Solutions
  • Coordinates CalSTA efforts to promote the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to maximize safety and mobility across all modes of transportation
  • Salary Range: $155,760 – $173,484

• Deputy Secretary for Equity and Workforce
  • Coordinates transportation equity work within CalSTA, and responsible for developing and coordinating workforce development strategies in the transportation sector in partnership with state and local agencies, and external stakeholders
  • Salary Range: $151,224 – $168,432

High-Speed Rail Authority

• Chief Financial Officer
  • Advises the Authority’s Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, and the executive management team on all financial matters and policies concerning the operation and administration of the Authority.
  • Salary Range: $202,368 – $271,740

Office of Traffic Safety 

• Director
  • Responsible for administering California’s Traffic Safety Program and Highway Safety Plan, which is the state’s blueprint to foster a safe, equitable and accessible transportation system. They were responsible for allocating $108 million in federal transportation safety funds for programs across the state in the last fiscal year
  • Salary Range: $160,428 – $178,692

Environmental Protection Agency:

• Assistant General Counsel for Enforcement
  • Provides legal counsel to the agency and plans, organizes and coordinates CalEPA enforcement efforts to provide aggressive, consistent, and predictable enforcement across all environmental programs
  • Salary Range: $160,438 – $178,688  

Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA)

•  Director 
  • Administers and implements the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (Prop. 65) and compiles the state’s list of substances that cause cancer or reproductive harm. Developing health-protective exposure levels for contaminants in air, water, and soil as guidance for regulatory agencies and the public
  • Must have a broad-based scientific expertise as evidenced by a doctoral degree and work experience in a biological or medical science
  • Salary Range: $202,600 – $219,110 
•  Chief Counsel 
  • Responsible for the legal program of OEHHA, and serves as a member of the Executive staff with the responsibility to advise the Director; develop and implement interpretations and positions concerning the legal activities of the Office; to coordinate, review and analyze the legal and policy adequacy of legislative proposals affecting the Department and all rules and regulations proposed by the Office; and to serve as the Director’s legal representative before other public agencies and the Legislature 
  • Salary Range: $172,068 – $191,688 

Department of Toxic Substance Control

• Deputy Director, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
  • Salary Range: $137,616 – $153,375
• Chief Investigator, Office of Criminal Investigations
  • Responsible for ensuring development, administration and enforcement of department-wide policies, laws and regulations related to the protection of public health and the environment as well as statewide policy changes.
  • Salary Range:  $167,775 – $186,870

Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery (CalRecycle)

• Chief Counsel 
  • Responsible for the legal program of CalRecycle, and serves as a member of the Executive staff with the responsibility to advise the Director; develop and implement interpretations and positions concerning the legal activities of the Office; to coordinate, review and analyze the legal and policy adequacy of legislative proposals affecting the Department and all rules and regulations proposed by the Office; and to serve as the Director’s legal representative before other public agencies and the Legislature 
  • Salary Range: $187,105 – $208,440 

Regional Water Quality Control Boards

• There are nine regional boards, any interested candidates please contact Morgan Carvajal (Morgan.Carvajal@gov.ca.gov) for more information about the region you may qualify for
• To be eligible, not more than 10% of a person’s joint income can come from an entity which has been issued a discharge permit by the Board
• $250 per diem

Natural Resources Agency:

California Conservation Corps 

• Chief Deputy Director
  • The Chief Deputy Director is a key executive leader within the California Conservation Corps, working closely with the Director to advance the Corps’ mission of conserving natural resources and enhancing the lives of young people across the state. This position oversees the day-to-day operations of the department and exercises delegated authority to approve major program and project activities. Acting as the Director’s representative in their absence, the Chief Deputy Director plays a pivotal role in shaping policies, managing organizational changes, and ensuring the department achieves its strategic goals. The incumbent also represents the department in press conferences, legislative hearings, and state commissions, while fostering a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. 
  • Salary Range: $165,240 – $184,056 

Department of Conservation 

• Chief Counsel
  • Under the general direction of the Director and/or Deputy Director of the Department of Conservation, the Chief Counsel is responsible for the legal program of the Department of Conservation. This includes planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and reviewing the work of the professional legal staff; acting as legal advisor to the top management; preparing legislation and representing the Department before the Legislature; formulating legal policy; and participating as a member of top management in the development and implementation of department policy. 
  • Salary Range: $187,104 – $208,440 

Department of Energy Infrastructure Safety 

•  Chief Deputy Director
  • Under general direction of the Director, the Chief Deputy Director is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the programs and functions of the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety (“Energy Safety”). The incumbent serves as chief advisor to the Director on, and directly oversees development and implementation of, policies and procedures for operating a California state government agency, including planning, developing, implementing, administering and assessing Energy Safety’s policies, programs, and procedures. The incumbent directly oversees the work of two directorates and four division chiefs, providing guidance and direction to them in the performance of their duties and operations of their programs. These divisions include the Administrative Services Division, Communications and External Affairs Division, Data Analytics Division, Electrical Infrastructure Directorate, Legal Division, and the Underground Infrastructure Directorate.  
  • Salary Range: $181,728 – $201,408 

Department of Fish and Wildlife 

•  Deputy Director of Strategic Engagement, Equity, and Partnerships at CA Department of Fish and Wildlife 
  • This position will advance the Departments mission to protect California’s natural resources by increasing CDFW’s reach to serve all Californians. This position will further connections to all Department’s programs and will work with staff, California Native American Tribes, stakeholders and members of the public to build partnerships that better connect Californians to the Department
  • Salary: $144,970 – $161,508 

Native American Heritage Commission  

•  Executive Secretary
  • The Executive Secretary reports directly to the Governor and provides oversight and management of the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC). This statewide program requires working with the 109 federally recognized tribes, over 50 non-federally recognized tribes to fulfill the mission of the NAHC to protect and preserve tribal ancestral remains, cultural resources, and repatriation of human remains, funerary objects, and items of cultural patrimony. The Executive Secretary works with other State, local, and federal agencies and private landowners and provides testimony at legislative hearings and other governmental bodies when required and appropriate. 
  • Salary Range: $147,636 – $164,484 

Boating and Waterways Commission

• Private Marina Owner Slot
  • Must be an owner or operator of a private small boat harbor
  • $100 per diem
• Law Enforcement Slot
  • Must be an officer or employee of a law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing boating laws
  • $100 per diem
• Recreational Boater Slot
  • $100 per diem

San Joaquin River Conservancy Board

• One youth member from lists submitted by either of the following:
  • Youth serving nonprofit organizations that a presence within Fresno County or Madera County
  • Institutions of higher education within Fresno County or Madera County
  • The youth member shall be a resident of Fresno County or Madera County and 18 to 26 years of age, inclusive, and shall not be an elected official 

• One member of the California Native American tribe from a list of candidates submitted by local tribal organizations.

Labor:

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

• Division Chief of Safety
  • Under the general direction of the Chief of CalOSHA, the Deputy Chief of Safety is responsible for the planning, organizing and directing the Occupational Safety and Health Compliance Unit. The Deputy Chief is responsible for the supervision and direction of inspections and/or investigations of safety and health hazards in places of employment. The Chief Deputy also recommends proposed policies and implements changes adopted that could improve industrial safety and health enforcement, ensures conformance with Federal requirements, and acts as a representative or liaison for CalOSHA.
  • Salary Range: $187,104 – $208,440

Department of Industrial Relations 

• Chief Deputy Director
  • Responsible for directing the planning, administration and management of multiple complex and sensitive functions across the Department of Industrial Relations. This includes critical departmental, program, administrative, and operational activities in locations throughout the State of California for a broad portfolio of programs including the Labor Commissioner’s Office, Cal/OSHA, Division of Worker’s Compensation, and Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
  • Salary Range: $175,512 – $189,852
  • Contact Elissa.Ouchida@gov.ca.gov for more information.

Government Operations:

Department of General Services 

•  Deputy Director, Real Estate Services Division (RESD) 
  • Responsible for developing the objectives and managing the operations of the three operating branches of the RESD: 1) Asset Management Branch, 2) Project Management and Development Branch, and 3) Construction Inspection and Management Branch. Through this work, the Deputy Director is responsible for fulfilling the state’s facility and real property needs
  • Salary Range: $195,960 – $211,896 

Department of Human Resources

• Senior Labor Relations Officer
  • Functions as the chief negotiator for two or more bargaining units, including negotiating statewide collective bargaining agreements on behalf of the Governor, and is responsible for implementing and administering the negotiated agreements
  • Salary Range: $121,728 – $142,068

Health & Human Services:

Department of Developmental Services

• Chief Equity Officer, Service Access and Equity
  • Formulates, develops, and implements policies and procedures to support systematic improvements in the delivery of culturally and linguistically responsive services and community engagement in California’s developmental services system
  • Salary Range: $151,456 – $168,862

Emergency Medical Services Authority 

•  Chief Deputy Director 
  • Under the director of the Director of the State Emergency Medical Services Authority, this position is charged with administrative responsibilities related to the Authority’s statutory mandates for coordination and integration of all state activities concerning emergency medical services. 
  • Salary Range: $160,428 – $178,692 

Department of Public Health 

•  Deputy Director, Center for Health Statistics and Information 
  • This position supports the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) mission and strategic plan by being responsible for population health data science and public health informatics in the Department related to improving population health. This role includes working with Divisions across the Department to ensure that health data are collected, managed, analyzed, reported and distributed in an efficient and effective manner. 
  • Salary Range: $178,488 – $193,044 

Public Safety/Emergency Services:

Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (CalOES)

• Deputy Director, Response Operations
  • The Deputy Director has direct management responsibilities for the response Operations programs and activities. These emergency management responsibilities include three Administrative Regions and six Mutual Aid Regions: Fire & Rescue, Law Enforcement, the State Operations Center, Regional Emergency Operation Centers and the California State Warning Center.
  • Salary Range: $162,888 – $181,428

• Assistant Director, Legislation and Governmental Affairs
  • The Assistant Director strengthens public safety and emergency preparedness through collaboration with stakeholders to develop, manage and implement CalOES’s legislative, public safety policy, tribal affairs, international affairs and executive programs.
  • Salary Range: $127,500 – $142,008

Public Works Contract Arbitration Committee

• Public Member
  • Must have at least ten (10) years of experience with a general contracting firm that has engaged on public works construction in California
  • The Committee establishes standards and qualifications for the certification of arbitrators for participation in the Public Works Contract Arbitration Program under the Department of General Services and the Office of Administrative Hearings.
  • There is no compensation.

Veterans Affairs:

California Department of Veterans Affairs 

• Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans 
  • The Deputy Secretary for Women Veterans is responsible for recommending policy direction for women veterans’ issues, providing outreach and support service for women veterans’ issues, connecting with the federal, state and local agencies and preparing and implementing an annual plan for addressing women’s issues. 
  • Salary Range: $150,348 – $167,460

Independents: 

Public Utilities Commission   

• Tribal Advisor
  • Under administrative direction of Executive Director, the Tribal Advisor coordinates mutually beneficial intergovernmental cooperation between tribal governments, the Commission, local agencies, and investor owned utilities. The Tribal Advisor is critical to the Commission’s basic mission, implementing the Commission’s adopted Tribal Consultation Policy, and achieving the goals of Executive Order B-10-11. 
  • Salary Range: $101,532 – $145,932 

Fair Boards

• There are opportunities to serve on nearly all the District Agricultural Association fair boards across the state. The Governor’s Office is continuously filling vacancies. Please contact the fair in your district/county to learn about opportunities.