ATTORNEY IV

Salary range: $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 per month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Number of positions: 2. This is a 12-month limited-term, full-time hybrid role that may be extended to a maximum of 24 months and/or may become permanent based on operational needs.

About the Department

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, protects, and supports the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. CDSS oversees and coordinates an array of safety net and emergency response programs, delivering social services totaling $50 billion in partnership with the State’s 58 counties and community service providers.

The CDSS Legal Division’s Family and Adult Programs Policy & Litigation Branch (FAB) provides timely, responsive, thorough, and accurate legal services. FAB supports diverse, complex, and challenging legal guidance for some of the largest public social service programs in the nation.

CDSS Guiding Principles:

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Belonging
• Community Engagement
• Empowerment
• Quality Services
• Data-Defined Outcomes

About the Role

The CDSS Legal Division is recruiting for two Attorney IV positions in FAB. These attorneys will provide legal support to one or more of FAB’s program areas, including:

• CalFresh and nutrition programs
• CalWORKs Eligibility and Employment
• Cash Assistance Payments for Immigrants
• Child Care and Development
• Civil Rights for Public Social Service Programs
• Disaster Services
• Housing and Homelessness
• Immigration & Refugees
• In-Home Supportive Services
• Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance

Responsibilities

Under minimal supervision, the Attorney IV will perform complex, politically sensitive, and fiscally significant legal work, including:

• Reviewing, researching, and interpreting federal and state laws, regulations, case law, and program guidance
• Advising on funding issues and parameters of broad discretionary authority
• Drafting legislation, including trailer bill and budget bill language
• Assisting in drafting and reviewing program policy guidance
• Providing substantive litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General

The role requires knowledge of, or the ability to quickly learn, applicable state and federal statutes, regulations, case law, policies, and guidance for the programs supported by FAB. Experience in a policy legal role and/or advising public entities as in-house counsel is preferred.

Requirements

• Current membership in the California State Bar
• Authorization to work in the United States without visa sponsorship
• Successful completion of a background investigation, including fingerprint clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Submission of a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) and resume as part of the application process

Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification. Resumes will not substitute for required employment history documentation.

Special Requirements

• A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with the application. The SOQ should be a typed narrative (no longer than two pages, Arial 12-point font, standard margins) discussing how your education, training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications for the position.
• Unofficial transcripts may be required if meeting minimum qualifications through education. Official transcripts may be required upon hire.
• Candidates residing outside California may be admitted to the interview but must provide proof of California residency prior to appointment.