Children and Family Services Attorney III

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Legal Division is recruiting for one permanent, full-time Attorney III position in its Children’s and Community Care Licensing Policy Branch (CAL), Children’s Oversight Bureau (CAL Children’s). Attorneys in the CDSS Legal Division provide critical legal services to the CDSS in its mission to serve, protect, and support the people of California.

As an attorney in CAL, you will join a team of talented and passionate attorneys from a variety of backgrounds who work on child welfare programs serving children and families. In a highly inclusive environment, CAL attorneys balance collaboration with independence to provide comprehensive legal support to the diverse programs overseen or administered by the Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) of CDSS, a leader in the national child welfare space.

The legal issues in child welfare are frequently complex, politically sensitive, and closely scrutinized by child welfare advocates, the public, the media, and various state and federal oversight agencies. The successful candidate will be primarily assigned to provide legal policy support to the CFSD in areas such as:

• Foster youth behavioral health; Child Welfare Program Improvement; Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC); Foster Care Wraparound Services; Crossover issues for foster care and Medicaid; child welfare and health care data and information sharing

As an experienced attorney, the Attorney III is an expert, or has the ability to acquire expertise, in state and federal child welfare law, regulations, and policies. including the California Public Records Act. Experience working for or with other governmental departments or agencies, advocacy groups, legislative staff, and stakeholder workgroups is a plus. The successful candidate will conduct research, prepare correspondence, provide oral and written legal opinions, analyze and advise on pending legislation impacting foster care and child welfare, assist in drafting and reviewing CDSS regulations, review and advise on federal proposals affecting child welfare, draft legislation, and other duties as assigned. The Attorney III will also provide litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Department as necessary. In addition to other duties, the successful candidate may be required to prepare legal pleadings and represent the Department before the Department of Health Care Services’ Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals in relation to financial audits of short-term residential therapeutic programs.

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.

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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 may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with Executive Order N-22-25the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements. The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.
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 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. 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.

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, who have current list eligibility for appointment to the Attorney III level, who have SROA/Surplus eligibility, or who have reinstatement rights to this level.

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.

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:

A. Knowledge, or the ability to acquire knowledge, in the following areas: state and federal child welfare laws, juvenile dependency law, juvenile probation, administrative law, health care law, privacy, Public Records Act, and/or writs and appeals.

B. Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in-house counsel work including but not limited to conducting legal research, preparing legal opinions, reviewing and drafting contractual scopes of work, and analyzing legislation, drafting and reviewing regulations, preparing and reviewing correspondence, and providing litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General;

C. Understanding of the executive branch of state government, its agencies and departments, and the role of state and federal oversight agencies;

D. Demonstrated ability to maintain 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;

E. Willing and able to understand CDSS programs and policies in order to provide sound legal advice that is responsive to the organization’s needs;

F. Superior verbal and written research, analytical and communication skills and superior interpersonal skills and tact;

G. Superior work habits and the ability to complete work under deadlines, shifting priorities as needed; and

H. Willingness and ability to perform duties in politically sensitive situations, meet strict deadlines, and work collaboratively with clients and colleagues 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.