ATTORNEY III

California Department of Developmental Services; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The California Department of Developmental Services is seeking a Senior Staff Counsel (Attorney III) to perform complex legal work across probate conservatorships, personnel matters, regulatory interpretation, and litigation. The role involves statewide proceedings, collaboration with department leadership, and travel as needed.

The position is hybrid (in-office and telework) with a focus on timely, high-quality legal services.

Qualifications

• Ability to interact independently, professionally, and courteously with Department managers and staff.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Westlaw, Abode (Adobe).

Responsibilities

• Performs complex and sensitive legal work in probate conservatorships, personnel matters, statutory and regulatory interpretation, programmatic legal advice, administrative appeals, transactional matters including housing and contract issues, criminal placement proceedings, civil and administrative litigation, and legislative analysis.
• Represents the Department in proceedings before courts and administrative bodies throughout the state.

Job description

Job Description And Duties

Under general direction of the Chief Counsel and Assistant Chief Counsels, the Attorney III performs complex and sensitive legal work in the Legal Affairs Division, including, but not limited to probate conservatorships, personnel matters, statutory and regulatory interpretation, programmatic legal advice, administrative appeals, transactional matters, including housing and contract issues, criminal placement proceedings, civil and administrative litigation matters, and legislative analysis. The Attorney III represents the Department in proceedings before courts and administrative bodies throughout the state. The Attorney III must possess the ability to interact independently, professionally, and courteously with Department managers and staff while performing multiple tasks that often require stringent deadlines. The position requires moderate to frequent travel. The Attorney III may be asked to assist an Attorney IV with more complex and sensitive legal matters. The Attorney III must consistently perform outstanding legal work.

Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of 4.62 percent in exchange for eight hours per month of the Personal Leave.

Maintain normal and consistent work hours, averaging 40 hours per week. Work in excess of 40 hours is expected when necessary to complete assignments in a timely manner. Attorneys are expected to be in the office or teleworking and available to clients between the core working hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless official state business requires them to be elsewhere. If unavailable during core working hours, attorneys must be available by phone. Attorneys are required to maintain individual and master Outlook calendars and obtain supervisory approval for time spent away from the office that exceeds ninety (90) minutes. Attorneys acting as the AOW must be available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. or arrange for alternate coverage from another Department attorney. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment. This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position. The office is located in a newly constructed, multi-story building in downtown Sacramento. Moderate to occasional daytime and overnight statewide travel may be required. Transport legal files and documents, as needed, to locations inside and outside the normal worksite for hearings and meetings. File boxes of documents may weigh up to 20 lbs. each and a file may constitute more than one box. This position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time.

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-532864

Position #(s):

472-543-5795-005

Working Title:

Senior Staff Counsel

Classification:

ATTORNEY III

$12,046.00 - $15,325.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Shall Consider:

ATTORNEY

$8,846.00 - $12,026.00

Range A $8,846.00 - $10,473.00

Range B $9,956.00 - $12,026.00

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

United States

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The California Department of Developmental Services (Department) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities. These disabilities i nclude intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov

Special Requirements

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be one page in length. Applicants who fail to answer the question below or submit an SOQ may not be considered.

Why are you the best candiate to fill this position with the Department of Developmental Services?

SEE 'SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS' ABOVE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.

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: Knowledge of: Timely open and close assigned cases and maintain case files on all assigned matters and submit updated monthly reports to the Chief Counsel and Assistant Chief Counsels. Additionally, be able to handle multiple tasks and effectively prioritize workloads. Ability to: Communicate effectively in person, using documents and electronic devices. Attorneys must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Westlaw, Abode, and all other computer tools, programs, or systems utilized by the Legal Affairs Division; comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct at all times.

Benefits

• As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
• Benefit Eligibility May Be Based On Job Classification, Bargaining Unit, Time Base And Length Of Appointment. Additional Benefits May Also Be Outlined For Specific Bargaining Units In Employee Collective Bargaining Contracts. For More Information, Please Visit The Links Below:
• State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website
• CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026
• Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.