Policy Attorney IV

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Legal Division is recruiting to fill one full-time policy Attorney IV position in its Children’s and Community Care Licensing Policy and Litigation (CAL) Branch, to support the CDSS Community Care Licensing Division’s (CCLD) Child Care Program. The successful candidate will be primarily assigned to provide legal policy support to the statewide Child Care Licensing Program, including but not limited to the areas of federal funding compliance, collective bargaining, child care and development, and health and safety.

The CDSS is a large department charged with administering programs that serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults. The issues facing CDSS are frequently complex, cutting edge, and closely scrutinized by advocacy organizations, the public, the news media, and various state and federal oversight agencies, and are routinely the subject of state and federal litigation.

The Attorney IV will perform the more complicated, politically sensitive, and fiscally significant legal work under minimal supervision. The Attorney IV must be able to analyze and draft legislation to implement program changes involving myriad state and federal rules for programs involving large amounts of the state budget. The Attorney IV must know the regulatory process to assist program staff in developing and defending regulations. Experience working with other state departments, advocacy groups, legislative staff, and stakeholder work groups is essential. The Attorney IV provides expert advice and counsel to Departmental executive staff, legislative staff, the Health and Human Services Agency, and the Governor’s Office. The Attorney IV must have broad litigation or litigation support experience to effectively represent the Department and support the Office of the Attorney General in state and federal litigation.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief 

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit 

Follow us on  to stay updated on our latest opportunities.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Work Location: Sacramento.

This work location is very convenient! This location is 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.

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.

1) A standard State Application Form (STD 678) and must clearly indicate the basis of hiring eligibility on the STD 678. 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.

2) A maximum four (4) page SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) that includes a description of how the applicant meets the DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS identified in this job announcement. Applications without eligibility information and a complete SOQ may not be considered.

Application packages will be screened, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Hiring approval is subject to state civil service SROA/Surplus policies and procedures. Please see the California Department of Human Resources website at: for further information on taking examinations, obtaining list eligibility and minimum qualifications. Hiring is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice and Department of Finance Approval.

Applications will be accepted from current members of the California State Bar who are currently employed in the classification Attorney IV level, eligible for lateral transfer, 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).

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

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:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in-house counsel work with minimal supervision, including in-depth legal research and analysis for preparation of legal opinions and advice; drafting proposed legislation; analyzing and implementing state and federal legislation; and drafting and reviewing regulations, official forms, notices, and publications;

• Extensive knowledge, or the ability to acquire such knowledge, of state and federal laws, case law, and CCLD policies and procedures related to licensing and state and federal health and safety requirements governing child day care facilities;

• Comprehensive knowledge of the Administrative Branch of state government, the hierarchy and functions of its agencies and departments, and the role of state and federal oversight agencies;

• Extensive experience providing advice to a public entity at all staffing and executive levels on a variety of the most complicated, highly political or sensitive matters involving state and federal audits, media or legislative inquiries, Public Records Act and data requests, and litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General;

• Superior communication, interpersonal skills and tact; with demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program clients, staff of other state and federal agencies, and advocacy organizations, while working independently and as part of a team;

• Demonstrated ability to function well under pressure in politically sensitive situations, to meet strict deadlines, and to work with the highest degree of autonomy; and

• Willingness and ability to maintain a work environment free from discrimination or sexual harassment.

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.