The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, Information, Technology and Administrative Litigation (ITAL) Branch is recruiting to fill three permanent full-time Attorney positions at the Attorney I or III level.

The ITAL Branch provides legal advice, representation, and services to all Divisions within CDSS. We work closely with our departmental partners and program clients to assist in achieving Department objectives through collaboration, education, and advocacy. As part of our team of attorneys, legal analysts and other valued staff, the primary responsibilities of these positions include providing legal advice on and development of various agreements for a wide array of clients (e.g., Housing and Homelessness, Office of Immigration, and Child Care and Development).

Our ideal candidates are highly motivated, detail-oriented individuals with excellent communication and writing skills and who are innovative problem-solvers. The successful candidates should have knowledge of, strong interest in, or demonstrated experience, providing representation in some or all of the following areas: grant development and implementation, governmental procurement and contracting laws; large and small information technology procurements, contract management and compliance principles. They will also be someone who can work cooperatively with a customer-service focus.

The state offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, long-term care and disability insurance, as well as paid leave. Please see the Benefits section below for more details.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!

Need help understanding the examination and hiring process? Do you have a question about CDSS? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov. Please include the job classification and job control number in the subject line.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions
The Legal Division uses a hybrid telework model to provide all employees with an avenue to telework while ensuring business and operational needs are met.

The assigned office location for this position can be filled in the following counties, whichever has available space and is closest to the successful applicant's residence:

ALAMEDA, BUTTE, FRESNO, HUMBOLDT, LOS ANGELES, ORANGE, RIVERSIDE, SACRAMENTO, SAN DIEGO, SAN MATEO, SANTA BARBARA, SANTA CLARA, SONOMA.

Except when required to report to the office, this position allows for telework at an alternative work location. An alternative work location would be the successful applicant's residence. For travel purposes, reimbursement would be based on the assigned office location.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the Department of Social Services policies. Headquarter location will be designated based on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location.

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

• ATTORNEY III
• ATTORNEY

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-431463

Position #(s):
800-310-5795-XXX

Working Title:
Contracts, Information and Technology Attorney III or Attorney

Classification:
ATTORNEY III $10,536.00 - $13,526.00 A

Shall Consider:
ATTORNEY
$7,737.00 - $9,730.00 A
$8,708.00 - $11,173.00 B

# of Positions:
3

Work Location:
United States

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence. CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California's needy and vulnerable children and families.

CDSS's goal is to foster a culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion within our Department, that actively invites the contribution and participation of all people and is representative of the varied identities and different perspectives in California. In our role as public administrators, our charge is to ensure that our programs and our workplaces provide all Californians the opportunity to thrive. We encourage applications from all individuals - including but not limited to women, people of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans. We seek a diverse pool of applicants with a wide range of experiences, including individuals with relevant lived experience such as personal experience with the social safety net and/or the child welfare system.

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.

Applicants must also attach a SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) based on the DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS identified in this job announcement. The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS for the position. The SOQ also serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing, since this is a critical factor to successful job performance.

Keeping the desirable qualifications in mind, please address the following three prompts in your SOQ. In order to be considered for the positions, your SOQ must meet the following requirements: Each answer is to be numbered and started on a separate page. One page per prompt for a total of three pages. Standard 1-inch margins and 12-point type are required.

1. Describe your work experience interacting professionally with various levels of management, staff and/or the public regarding legal, administrative or other significant matters.

2. Describe your experience in researching and developing a position on a legal question and; advising on or presenting that issue.

3. Describe a specific example in which you had to resolve a significant professional conflict. What strategies and tools did you use to achieve the resolution?

Candidates meeting the most desirable qualifications will be invited to interview. Selected candidates will be subject to a criminal record background check fingerprint clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A criminal conviction or history does not in and of itself preclude employment.

All methods of appointment will be considered, such as list appointment, transfer, reinstatement, surplus, SROA, general reemployment, training and development, etc. However, possession of the minimum qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant shall be notified and may be removed from the eligibility list. Employees applying for these positions who wish to be considered on a transfer basis must meet the minimum qualifications and all transfer rules. Applicants may be required to provide copies of college/law school transcripts or a copy of college diploma or Juris Doctor degree, if applicable. Hiring is subject to state Super SROA and surplus policies and procedures.

This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the hiring and selection process if the employment history is not complete. Resumes will not take the place of employment history.

If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts for verification. If selected, you may be required to provide official transcripts at the time of hire.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview, but they must provide proof of residence in California prior to being eligible for appointment.

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: 5/19/2024
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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.

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 Social Services
Attn: Classification & Pay Unit
P.O.Box 944243

Sacramento , CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Social Services
Classification & Pay Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58

Sacramento , CA 95814

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.
  

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:

A. The ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing;

B. The ability and willingness to build strong and effective working relationships;

C. Superior research and analytical skills; the ability to complete work within deadlines while exercising sound legal judgment and a strong attention to detail;

D. The ability and willingness to perform duties in a customer service-oriented manner;

E. The ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and professionalism; and

F. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team successfully.

Benefits
There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.
  • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
  • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!

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

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Kim Yarbrough
(916) 653-0514
Kimberly.Yarbrough@dss.ca.gov

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:
EEO Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.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

Those interested in obtaining employment with the California Department of Social Services must apply and compete through the State recruitment process. Applicants who successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list used to recruit for positions.

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the examination announcement:

CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination, except when your list eligibility expires. For questions regarding the examination process and/or career opportunities with the California Department of Social Services, please contact the Examination Unit at examinations@dss.ca.gov .

Applicant Survey

Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows: Recruitment Survey

Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

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.