Government appointments

Current opportunities

These are open positions you can apply for. This list is current as of January 16, 2025.

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 Agency: 

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

Department of Motor Vehicles  

•  Deputy Director of Communications 
  • Oversees the activities of the Office of Public Affairs, and is responsible for promoting, preserving and creating a positive public image for the DMV. Shall implement a public relations strategy that improves customer communication and media relations on issues related to department priorities.  
  • Salary Range: $137,880 – $153,576

High-Speed Rail Authority

• Chief Deputy Director
  • Manages the day-to-day operations of the Authority and serves as a chief advisor to the CEO and the executive team on organizational, programmatic, and policy matters. Engages with Authority leadership to ensure the CEO’s vision and goals are attained and project goals are achieved. The Chief Deputy Director serves as second in command for the CEO and evaluates established policies, programs, objectives, operations, and outcomes, working with internal and external parties to ensure alignment across various areas and disciplines. 
  • Salary Range: $250,680 – $279,888 
• Chief of Construction 
  • Lead construction operations by providing direction and leadership to staff and contractors responsible for all construction operations, including the design, development, construction and delivery of the rail system. The incumbent will initially focus on the efficient delivery of the project in the Central Valley, and then in the Bay Area and Southern California regions. Advise the CEO in the development of overall strategies for the successful and timely construction and completion of the high-speed rail project. 
  • Salary Range: $331,752 – $377,652 
•  Chief of Contract Administration 
  • Responsible for ensuring contract compliance with all regulatory requirements and Authority policies and procedures, the cost-effective expenditures of contract resources, and ensuring contractors fulfill strategic and contractual obligations to the Authority for the successful delivery of the high-speed rail (HSR) project on schedule and within budget. The incumbent serves as an expert advisor and provides recommendations regarding contract administration and management to the Authority’s executive team. 
  • Salary Range: $193,272 – $234,384 
•  Chief Program Manager 
  • Leads the Rail Operations Office and advises the CEO and Authority chiefs/directors on rail development issues of major importance. The incumbent is responsible for all rail system operations planning, policy, and procedural elements to successfully deliver California’s high-speed rail program. The incumbent must work closely and collaboratively with various project partners including consultants and contractors; rail entities; regional partners; the general public; state, federal, local government agencies; and multiple Authority offices and branches to ensure implementation of various rail functions. Additionally, the incumbent must have a high level of specialized expertise in rail systems and operations planning, as well as possess the ability to direct multiple, large, concurrent, complex, and sensitive project efforts at the executive level. 
  • Salary Range: $285,912 – $324,108  

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  
• Deputy Secretary of Public Policy
  • The Deputy Secretary provides advice and assistance to the Secretary and the Governor’s Office on issues and strategies related to the cleanup and remediation of hazardous waste sites, brownfield cleanup and development, hazardous and non-hazardous waste programs, agricultural issues as they affect the environment and human health, and green chemistry.
  • Salary Range: $175,512 – $195,564  
•  Special Assistant to the Secretary 
  • Under the administrative direction of the Secretary and Undersecretary, the Special Assistant will provide a lead role in special projects as directed by the Secretary or Undersecretary. This position will assist in the coordination of Agency policies and procedures to address diverse environmental issues.  The requires close interaction and teamwork with a broad range of internal and external policymakers, as well as industry and environmental organizations, and community groups.  
  • Salary Range: $103,560 – $115,368 

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 

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:

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

• Responsible for planning, developing, and improving facilities on state owned and managed properties, including those on State Parks and Water Project properties. It also provides funding so that local agencies can renew deteriorated facilities or develop new public access as well as furthering environmentally sound boating practices through its clean and green programs
  • Opening: Private Marina Owner Slot
    • Must be an owner or operator of a private small boat harbor
    • $100 per diem

San Joaquin River Conservancy Board

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

State Historical Resources Commission

• The Commission reviews applications for listing of historic and archeological resources
• Available slots:
  • A person knowledgeable in ethnic history
  • A person knowledgeable in folklife 

State Board of Mining and Geology

• The State Mining and Geology board represents the State’s interest in the development, utilization and conservation of mineral resources, reclamation of mined lands, and development of geologic and seismic hazard information. The board determines general policies for the Mining and Geology Division within the Department of Conservation and maintains the State’s surface mining and reclamation policy. The board also represents the state’s interest in the development of geological information necessary to understanding and utilizing the state’s terrain, and seismological and geological information pertaining to earthquake and other geological hazards.   
  • Opening: Registered Geologist Slot
    • One (1) member of the board shall be a professional geologist with background and experience in mining geology 
    • $100 per diem 

Underground Facilites Safe Excavation Board (Dig Safe) 

• Board members are charged with overseeing the safety of excavations around buried utilities by coordinating the state’s education and outreach efforts, investigating accidents to determine their causes, setting standards for safe excavation and ensuring the state’s safe excavation laws are followed
• Available slots: 
  • A specialty contractor with knowledge and expertise in contract excavation for employers who are not operators of subsurface installations
  • A person with knowledge and expertise in performing or managing agricultural operations in the vicinity of subsurface installations
  • A person with knowledge and expertise in operation of subsurface installations of a municipal utility.  
  • A contractor with knowledge and expertise in contract excavation for employers who are not operators of subsurface installations

Labor:

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

Division of Occupational Safety and Health

• Division Chief of Enforcement
  • 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

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

Public Works Contract Arbitration Committee

• 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.
• Opening: Public Member Slot
  • Must have at least ten (10) years of experience with a general contracting firm that has engaged on public works construction in California
  • There is no compensation.

Health & Human Services:

Department of Health Care Access and Information 

•  Deputy Director for Legislative and Governmental Affairs 
  • Responsible for managing the Department’s legislative program; serves as the principal advisor to the Director and Chief Deputy Director on all matters of legislation that may impact the Department and any related policy implications; develops and implements statewide health policy through the legislative process; presents legislative recommendations to the Director and the Agency Secretary; manages relations with healthcare and governmental stakeholders and serves as an executive level legislative liaison between the Department and the California Health and Human Services Agency (Agency), the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, and other policy and governmental stakeholders. 
  • Salary Range: $144,504 – $168,384 

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 
•  Deputy Director of the Center for Health Care Quality 
  • The Deputy Director serves as a member of the CDPH Senior Leadership Team and directs, coordinates and manages the policies, strategies, and programs of the Center for Health Care Quality to ensure uniform program direction and maximum efficiency. The Deputy Director exercises discretion and sound judgment when making programmatic decisions required to promote consistent and effective application of mandates and directives. 
  • 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

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

Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) 

California Infrastructure and Economic Development (IBank)

• Chief Deputy Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer
  • The mission of IBank is to finance public infrastructure, private development, and economic expansion. It has broad authority to issue tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds, make loans, provide credit enhancements and venture capital, and issue small business loans and loan guarantees to leverage state, federal, local and other funds. The Chief is under the general direction of the Executive Director. The Chief serves as the senior advisor to the Executive Director and as the Chief Operating Officer performing varied and critical services for IBank in the formulation of program design, policies, plans and procedures to achieve the goals of IBank, GO-Biz and the Administration. This person will also be responsible for the administrative duties for all the functions and programs of IBank. 
  • Salary Range: $167,772 – $186,876   

Independents: 

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (GO-LCI)

•  Senior Deputy Director of State Planning and Policy Development 
  • Under direction of the GO-LCI Director, the Senior Deputy Director of State Planning and Policy Development provides oversight and strategic policy direction on GO-LCI’s statutory roles and the Administration’s priorities in the areas of land use, climate and related. The Senior Deputy Director is responsible for the development of priorities, policies, research, and guidance both in support of the Governor’s Office, state partners and local communities, with a focus on land use and community development, climate risk and resilience, and high road economic development. The Senior Deputy Director is expected to have knowledge of land-use, infrastructure and climate policies and must have an understanding of state and local government functions and broad understanding of the practices of public administration, including management and supportive staff services such as budget, personnel, policy and planning, program management and evaluation, and related areas. This position will play a key role in supporting the Director to deliver on the Governor’s vision to identify priority projects and maximize access to federal funding across all regions of the state 
  • Salary Range: $154,860 – $171,000 

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.