C. E. A.

Job Description and Duties

• Ready to be challenged?
• Ready to lead?
• Ready to expand your legal knowledge?
• Ready to work with a dynamic team of attorneys?

If you answered yes to the above questions AND are a licensed attorney in the State of California (in good standing) with a minimum of 10 years experience, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Legal Division encourages you to apply for the position of Senior Assistant Chief Counsel (SACC) in the Information, Technology and Administrative Litigation Branch (ITAL).

The ITAL Branch is a collaborative environment, and the successful applicant will be responsible for promoting that environment, fostering career growth, and overseeing the professional development of team members. Under the general direction of the Deputy Director/Chief Counsel, the SACC is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the work of Assistant Chief Counsels, Attorney Supervisors, Senior Attorneys, Attorneys, and paralegals who provide legal advice, document review and representation department-wide in the areas of employment law, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), agreements, information technology, information security, data use, privacy, Public Records Act, audits and investigations, and legislative analyses. Our ideal candidate is a highly motivated, resourceful, detail-oriented, organized individual with excellent communication and writing skills and who is an innovative problem-solver. They will also be someone who can work cooperatively with colleagues across the Legal Division's Branches and who prioritizes providing excellent customer service for our clients.

The SACC is a working manager who may assume high priority assignments and overall is responsible for legal advice, direction and support provided to CDSS Directorate, Deputy Directors, program managers and program staff on the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the assigned areas described above.  The Branch the SACC oversees provides legal support across the Department for the assigned areas and works closely with the Administration Division, Information Systems Division, and Research, Automation, and Data Division.

The SACC serves as a CDSS representative in legal matters with the Governor’s Office, California Health and Human Services Agency, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Finance, other state departments, federal agencies, county partners, advocacy organizations, stakeholders and the public.

The SACC is a member of the Legal Division Management Team, that includes the Legal Division Deputy Director/Chief Counsel, four SACC led branches, and one administrative Branch, that assists in developing and maintaining division-wide policies and procedures, personnel, and branch budgets as well as an equitable and healthy work environment.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be included. Please see the Examination Information section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

Applicants who do not submit a SOQ or follow the instructions will be eliminated from the Examination process. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a SOQ.

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 .

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: 9/25/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

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 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

California Department of Social Services

Attn: Jessica Alvarado, CEA & Exempt Unit

P. O. Box 944243 - MS 8-15-58

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

California Department of Social Services

Jessica Alvarado, CEA & Exempt 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 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 - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Resumes or cover letters will not be accepted in lieu of a SOQ. Please refer to the Examination Information section for instructions regarding the SOQ. Applicants who do not submit the required items will not be considered for this recruitment.

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.

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.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact:
Jessica Alvarado
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.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
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

California Relay Service: View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (TTY), View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program. Please refer to the applicable for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.