Assistant Chief Counsel

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is recruiting for one Permanent, Full-time Assistant Chief Counsel position within its Legal Division. This position may be based in the Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego offices. This recruitment may be used to fill subsequent vacancies of these positions within the next 180 days

The DFPI is a California state agency that protects California consumers, small businesses, and investors, and administers multiple state licensing laws relating to financial services. Industries that the DFPI regulates include digital financial asset (including crypto asset) businesses, mortgage and student loan servicers, state-licensed lenders, investment advisors, and debt collectors. The DFPI often considers legal and policy issues presented by emerging financial technologies, and develops strategies that protect consumers and investors while encouraging financial innovation that benefits all Californians. The Legal Division is a team of attorneys and professional staff that draft regulations, legal opinions, and legislative analysis, and coordinate the DFPI's responses to subpoenas and Public Records Act requests.

Under the general direction of the Deputy Commissioner of the Legal Division, the Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) will manage a team of attorneys responsible for drafting regulations to enhance consumer protections and encourage positive financial innovation, providing legal opinions, analyzing pending legislation, and working on other related tasks to support the DFPI's regulatory responsibilities. The ACC's attorney team will include attorneys who focus initially on implementation of the newly-enacted Digital Financial Assets Law (DFAL), so a significant portion of the ACC's initial focus will be on DFAL implementation as well. However, the ACC's team will be responsible for fulfilling assignments under the other laws the DFPI administers, and will also supervise some attorneys who focus on other laws. As the DFPI completes its initial rollout of DFAL licensing, the ACC and their team will likely focus less on DFAL and more on other laws.

The Legal Division anticipates that the Assistant Chief Counsel will supervise between six and eight attorney staff shortly after onboarding, although supervisory responsibilities may change over time. The Assistant Chief Counsel may also be responsible for supervising legal support staff.

The ACC will be responsible for:
(1) Directing staff attorneys drafting regulations, including providing advice relating to the Administrative Procedure Act's requirements, and the legal and policy issues staff attorneys should consider.
(2) Directing staff attorneys to diligently research legal questions and present impartial legal analysis to Department staff and executives, with appropriate consideration of client goals, stakeholder concerns, and policy issues.
(3) Advising staff attorneys on effectively communicating with non-attorney staff and senior Department executives who have limited time to process and consider legal advice.
(4) Directing staff attorneys to effectively and zealously advocate for the Department's legal positions in public documents, such as responses to rulemaking comments, legal opinions, etc.
(5) Encouraging positive staff morale by recognizing and rewarding exceptional work within the limitations of state-service, promoting opportunities for professional growth, highlighting how staff work supports the Department's mission to protect Californians and support consumer-friendly innovation, and advocating for staff needs within Department. (6) Supporting the evolving staffing needs of the Legal Division by developing proposals and supporting evidence when necessary to substantiate requests for new positions.
(7) Effectively representing the Department at public events and sensitive meetings with DFPI stakeholders, representatives of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency, and the Governor's office.
(8) Leading special projects to implement strategic goals or resolve systemic issues across multiple teams within the Department.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

Sacramento Location:
The Sacramento office will be relocating from our current Arena Blvd. location to the brand new state-of-the-art May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento's River District by Spring of 2025.

San Francisco Location:
The San Francisco office is located in the heart of the financial district within walking distance to BART and restaurants.

Los Angeles Location:
The Los Angeles office is located in the heart of the downtown financial district within walking distance to restaurants, transit, multiple parking options.

San Diego Location:
The San Diego office is located in the heart of Mission Valley, within walking distance to many shops and restaurants.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-448116

Position #(s):
410-103-5871-010

Working Title:
Assistant Chief Counsel

Classification:
ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL $14,090.00 - $17,225.00

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
United States

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DFPI supervises the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and money transmitters. Additionally, the DFPI licenses and regulates a variety of financial service providers, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders and other consumer finance lenders. The DFPI offers benefit packages, competitive salary, a robust training program and opportunities for advancement.

Department Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) The State Bar of California License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting MQ's with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification . Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the MQ's, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services .

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors.

Additional Filing Instructions :

• You are encouraged to apply electronically through your CalCareers account.
• If applying with a hard copy application, please reference "JC-448116/RPA#LEGL 25-061" in the Job Title section of your State application in order to be considered for this vacancy.
• Hard copy applications not received or postmarked by 5:00 pm on the final filing date will not be accepted.
• Emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted.

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/25/2024
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Attn: Ashley Johnson
Human Resources Office
2101 Arena Blvd.
Sacramento , CA 95834

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
Ashley Johnson
Human Resources Office
2101 Arena Blvd.
Sacramento , CA 95834

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 -
  • A cover letter is required and must be included with your application. Resumes and other documents will not be considered as a cover letter and will be deemed as an incomplete application.
  The cover letter should succinctly explain why you possess some or all of the desirable qualifications below. No more than two pages.
  
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

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:

• Experience with any of the responsibilities identified in the "Job Description and Duties" section of this post.
• A demonstrated interest in protecting consumers and encouraging consumer-friendly market innovation.
• Experience providing legal advice to agencies, consumers, or businesses operating in the financial services space.
• A demonstrated interest and familiarity with emerging markets for financial services, including but not limited to crypto asset-related services.
• Familiarity with the consumer financial protection and securities laws that the DFPI administers, or analogous state and federal laws.
• Experience with agency rulemaking at the state or federal level.
• Ability to navigate complex questions requiring legal and policy analysis.
• Experience relating to digital assets and their regulation.
• Experience communicating complex legal concepts to non-attorney staff.

The DFPI will consider applicants with some or all of the desirable qualifications above.

Benefits
State employees may be eligible for health, dental, vision and leave benefits, as well as retirement programs and other benefits. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours and conditions of employment. Other possible benefits include:

• Alternate Work Schedules
• Telework
• Reimbursement Accounts

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

Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Ashley Johnson
(916) 268-8267

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Angelina Endsley
(916) 576-4938
eeo@dfpi.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Examination Information

To obtain list eligibility for the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel before applying for the position(s), you must first take and pass the Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel examination.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.