Job Description and Duties

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position. Please see "Special Requirements" section for Statement of Qualifications instructions.

This is a 12-month limited term position and may be extended to a maximum of 24-months and/or may become permanent based on operational needs.

This advertisement is posted as until filled. Applications will be reviewed on the 1st business day of each month. However, the Job Control will remain open until the vacancy is filled.

The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, is recruiting to fill one full time Attorney III position within the Information, Technology and Administrative Litigation (ITAL) Branch. This position is limited-term through 6/30/2024, and may convert to permanent.

The mission of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults within California. As part of fulfilling its mission, CDSS oversees and coordinates an array of safety net and emergency response programs, and the delivery of social services totaling more than $50 billion in partnership with the State’s 58 counties as well as community services providers.

The ITAL Branch provides legal advice, representation, and services to all Divisions within CDSS. We work closely with our Administrative Division partners and program clients to assist in achieving Department objectives through collaboration, education, and advocacy. We are looking for an individual who is ready to test their skills and knowledge as a member of our high performance Branch.

We are recruiting for a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual with excellent communication and writing skills, who is an innovative problem-solvers, and excels in a fastpaced, high-volume environment. The successful candidate will be primarily a transactional attorney providing legal advice in the development of contracts, grants, and other legal instruments core to Departmental programs. The successful candidate will have knowledge of, or demonstrated experience in, independently providing house counsel or governmental representation in some or all of the following areas: state and federal procurement and contracting laws and policies; the legal issues presented in information technology procurements both large and small, contract management and compliance principles, program grant development and implementation, and working with control agencies or external stakeholders to resolve issues. They will also be someone who can work cooperatively at all staff and management levels with a customer-service focus. Experience acting as a lead or mentor is desired but not required.

Desirable qualifications include:

A. Experience providing legal counsel and advice to a public entity at all staffing and executive levels on general government law issues, state and federal contracting, procurement development and processes, and grant development and administration;

B. Demonstrated experience in governmental or private industry: procurements; contract and grant development; life cycles of large IT systems; and related-contract management and compliance functions;

C. Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, including the ability to develop and deliver presentations and trainings to executive management and staff and other stakeholders;

D. Understanding of the Administrative Branch of state government, its agencies and departments and the role of state and federal oversight agencies as it relates to approval and funding documents;

E. Demonstrated ability to interact effectively across the department while demonstrating the ability to build strong and effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, staff of other state and federal agencies, and client advocacy organizations, while working independently and as part of a team;

 F. Superior research and analytical skills and the ability to exercise a high degree of initiative and professionalism in completing work within deadlines while exercising sound legal judgment and a strong attention to detail; and

G. Willingness and ability to perform duties in a customer service-oriented manner; keeping clients and management informed of significant issues regarding the legal matters they are handling with an emphasis on giving the client the ability to make informed decisions at the appropriate time.

WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will be accepted from current members of the California State Bar who are currently employed in a California civil service position at the Attorney III level, those with current list eligibility for appointment to the Attorney III level, candidates with SROA/Surplus eligibility, or candidates with reinstatement rights to this level. Interested applicants must submit a resume, a summary of qualifications, and a signed standard State Application Form (STD 678) and must clearly indicate the basis of hiring eligibility on the STD 678.

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

Working Conditions

This work location is very convenient! The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance to the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmer’s markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50 and Highway 80.

Work Location: Monterey Park, Riverside, Oakland, or Sacramento. This position is eligible for full-time telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. While assigned to the Sacramento office, the physical work location is negotiable and can be based out of any CDSS Legal Division office statewide (Monterey Park, Riverside, Oakland, and Sacramento)

Special Requirements

Application Instructions