Career Opportunities

About the California Privacy Protection Agency

The California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) is the first of its kind agency in the US created to protect the consumer privacy of Californians. We implement the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), enforce its regulations, and educate the public about their rights and obligations under the law.

We're comprised of an innovative and mission–driven team committed to furthering consumer privacy! Interested in joining our team? Please sign up for our Jobs email list to get notified about new and exciting opportunities to work with us.

This page is frequently updated with new opportunities. If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at HR@cppa.ca.gov.

Under the guidance of the Executive Director and Board, you'll leverage your privacy law and technology expertise to build and lead the Agency's Audits Division, from the ground up.

In this role, you will:

  • Conduct audits of privacy-related business practices to ensure compliance with the law;
  • Develop a team of experts and implement audit policies, tools, and processes to stand up an independent Audits division;
  • Support high-impact enforcement investigations.

Be at the forefront of the nation's first agency dedicated to protecting consumers' privacy rights and play an important role in safeguarding the privacy rights of millions of Californians.

View job description and apply

Are you a student interested in gaining hands-on experience in public affairs, communications, and UX design? Intern at the nation’s pioneering agency shaping the future of data privacy and gain invaluable experience in this growing field!

  • Content Creation & Media Support
  • User Experience (UX) Design
  • Special Projects & Cross-Department Collaboration

This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in media, design, and public affairs while contributing to meaningful projects.

View job description and apply

CPPA Honors Privacy Fellowship

The CPPA Honors Fellowship offers a distinguished candidate a year–long placement in our Legal Division. This opportunity is open to recent law school graduates or newly admitted lawyers. The fellowship is ideal for candidates with a strong academic background and a demonstrated interest in privacy law. Each September, an exceptional Honors Privacy Fellow joins our team and takes advantage of the knowledge and hands-on experience offered by the CPPA.

Fellows work on cutting–edge legal issues under the supervision of attorneys in the Legal Division of the first state privacy agency in the nation. Honors Privacy Fellows may participate in every step of the CPPA's rulemaking process, broadening their understanding of policy while gaining practical work experience. Whether you're interested in a career in public service, private practice, public interest, or academia, you'll be exposed to a broad variety of assignments that will serve you well wherever your career takes you. CPPA Honors Privacy Fellows work on new and exciting issues at the forefront of privacy that directly affect the daily lives of Californians.

Eligibility:
  • Successful candidates must reside in California at the time of appointment.
  • Candidates must be in their 3L year, an LLM program, or have graduated in the last year from an accredited law school and be awaiting results of the Bar examination.
  • The Fellowship Program is a full–time, limited–term assignment from September 2024 – August 2025.
Application Checklist:
  1. STD 678
  2. Resume
  3. Personal statement – this statement should address why you are interested in the CPPA Honors Privacy Fellowship; your commitment to public service; and your interest in privacy law and policy (no more than 1000 words).
  4. Optional:
    1. Law school transcripts
    2. One to two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your legal work. Ideally, the application package would include at least one letter should be from a law school professor.
Key dates:
  • January: Applications open
  • March: Applications close
  • March & April: Selection
  • September: Fellowship begins

The application period for the 2024–2025 year has closed. Please check back in the future for a link to apply to the 2025–2026 program.

CPPA Internship Program

Throughout the year, the California Privacy Protection Agency offers several exciting internship opportunities for driven and enthusiastic California graduate students looking to make a meaningful impact in the realm of privacy.

All internships at the Agency are paid positions and remote–centric. Interns benefit from mentorship and networking opportunities and build connections with leading professionals in law, technology, and privacy. Additionally, students who participate in the CPPA Internship Program gain invaluable insight working at the nation's first–of–its–kind state privacy agency and develop practical work experience they can bring with them no matter what career path they pursue. This page is regularly updated with new opportunities. Please subscribe to our Job Alerts mailing list to stay informed.

Why work for us:

  • Make a difference: Be at the forefront of data privacy and make an impact on the lives of Californians.
  • Cutting–edge issues: Work on new and exciting issues surrounding technology policy, privacy, and consumer protection.
  • Comprehensive benefits: As a state employee, you'll have access to premium health, dental, and vision plans. You'll also earn a pension from the CalPERS Retirement System and have access to Savings Plus 401(k) and 457 plans. The state also offers long–term disability insurance and wellness assistance programs.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness: The State of California is an eligible employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For those that qualify, the PSLF Program can forgive the remaining balance on your William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans.
  • Progressive and diverse culture: Our team is comprised of a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences. We are a remote–centric agency distributed across California.
  • Opportunities for everyone: Whether you're just starting your career or looking to take it to the next level, CPPA offers a variety of job opportunities.

How to apply:

  1. Search for a job on the CalCareers website or visit CPPA's Career Opportunities page.
    • Read the duty statement for each job to learn what the position does.
  2. Create a CalCareers account
    • Enter your information and upload supporting documents. You can use one job application to apply for multiple positions.
  3. Prepare your application
    • Start by confirming you meet the Minimum Requirements. Get any transcripts you need.
    • Some jobs require a Statement of Qualifications (SOQs). If the job you intend to apply for requires one, you should carefully review the experience and qualifications being sought and make sure you respond to it accurately. Some candidates submit “generic” SOQs, which are usually scored lower for not adhering to the SOQ prompt. Most SOQs are scored using a standard rubric.
  4. Complete an assessment
    • When you find a job you want, you'll need to take an assessment to show you qualify for that position. You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. You can take the exam after your interview. However, you must complete and pass the exam before we can make you an offer.
  5. Apply
    • Submit your application for the job you're interested in. If you qualify and are among the top candidates, we'll contact you for an interview.

If you're new to state service, CalHR offers several helpful resources:

If you have questions about CPPA, the hiring process, or our current recruitments, please reach out to our team at HR@cppa.ca.gov.