Attorney Supervisor - Telework

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Legal Division is recruiting to hire one permanent full time Attorney Supervisor in the Information, Personnel & Audits (IPA) Bureau of the Information, Technology & Administrative Litigation (ITAL) Branch to supervise the work of a high functioning collaborative team of attorneys. The IPA Bureau is one of two bureaus housed within the Legal Division’s ITAL Branch. The IPA and the Technology & Contracts Bureaus provide legal advice and representation across the entire Department. Subject matter areas include human resources, audits, privacy, public records, information technology, and legal agreements (contracts, grants, etc.). The ITAL Branch maintains a collegial and collaborative environment.

Reporting to an Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney Supervisor is a member of the ITAL management team and will supervise, direct the workload of, and evaluate the performance of subordinate attorneys and paralegals as well as act in a lead capacity in the Assistant Chief Counsel’s absence. The Attorney Supervisor develops strategies and best practices for the most complex assignments. Additionally, the Attorney Supervisor may personally be assigned the most difficult assignments within the Bureau.

We are looking for a detail-oriented, self-motivated candidate that possesses strong interpersonal communication skills and who demonstrates excellent analytical abilities.

The successful candidate will be an expert in and have extensive demonstrated experience independently providing house counsel or governmental representation in the majority of these areas: a wide range of employment matters including personnel actions, policy reviews; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation prevention and claims; whistleblower complaints; criminal background reviews; and conflict of interest. The successful candidate will be someone who can gain both the trust and support of, and work cooperatively with, management and staff at all levels. The Attorney Supervisor carries a caseload of the most complex cases and oversees the work of a group of attorneys and paralegals in the preparation for representing the Department before the State Personnel Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, and other administrative bodies. The Attorney Supervisor reviews pleadings, briefs and other legal documents related to disciplinary and other matters developed by subordinate attorneys.

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Working Conditions

Travel, including overnight, may be required.

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

This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Department of Social Services under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the CDSS policies. For positions advertised in more than one location, headquarter location may be designated on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location in accordance with operational need and available space. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.

Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified for this position.

Do not include any confidential information in 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.

• STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS

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

Applicants who do not submit an SOQ will be disqualified. Applicants who do not follow the instructions for an SOQ, or who submit an incomplete SOQ, will be disqualified. A resume or cover letter in lieu of the SOQ responses will disqualify an applicant from consideration. A standard or generic SOQ will disqualify an applicant from consideration. Application packages received without the SOQ will not be considered.

1. Describe your knowledge of, and experience with public sector employment law with an emphasis on representing state or county departments. Include an example of a situation that demonstrates your ability analyze complex issues and draft clear concise legal opinions within the given time frame.

2. Describe your experience guiding, mentoring, supervising, or managing legal staff.

3. Describe your ability to effectively communicate complex and sensitive issues to high-level management, including presentation of critical issues and recommended resolution. How do you gauge whether your communications are effective?

The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A criminal conviction in and of itself will not necessarily bar an offer of employment.

This position is designated under the Conflict-of-Interest Code.

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 inaccurate or incomplete. 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 the 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.

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:

• Supervisory or analogous leadership experience;
• Extensive knowledge and experience in public sector employment law;
• Extensive experience appearing before administrative tribunals.
• Attention to detail and ability to independently organize, manage work and complete work within deadlines;
• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, staff of other state and federal agencies, and client advocacy organizations, Superior analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, superior interpersonal skills, and tact;
• Willingness and ability to perform duties in a customer service-oriented manner.

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.

o 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

o 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

o 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.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

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 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.