ATTORNEY III

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration; California; Hybrid; USD 11,000 - 15,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) seeks an Attorney III to independently handle and assist in complex tax and fee litigation, settlements, and administrative appeals. You will review laws, draft briefs, and present cases before OTA, while advising management on regulatory impacts.

The role is located in a legal division with potential hybrid telework and up to 20% overnight travel.

Qualifications

• Reviewing, analyzing, and applying state and federal laws.
• Preparing legal documents, memoranda, briefs and reports.
• Presenting tax and fee cases in state and federal courts.
• Advising executive management on legal effects of rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Handle complex sales and use tax, local and special tax cases and settlements.
• Assist in administrative appeals conferences and settlement negotiations.
• Prepare and present cases before the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA).
• Investigate facts, interview witnesses, and draft legal opinions.
• Mentor attorneys and support staff as directed.
• Occasional overnight travel up to 20%.

Skills

Legal research

Litigation

Negotiation

Brief writing

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-533956

Position #(s): 291-322-5795-005

Working Title: Attorney III

Classification: ATTORNEY III

Salary Range: $10,852.00 - $15,325.00 A

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

Shall Consider: ATTORNEY

Salary Range (Alternate): $7,969.00 - $10,473.00 A

Salary Range (Alternate): $8,969.00 - $12,026.00 B

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: United States

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

California not only needs you; it wants you as part of the growing workforce. The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) makes life better for Californians by fairly and efficiently collecting the revenue that supports our essential public services, with CDTFA administered programs accounting for about twenty-three percent of all state revenue. Tax programs administered by the CDTFA are concentrated in two general areas – sales and use tax, and special taxes and fees. New employees, new ideas, and new creative perspectives are needed in all areas at CDTFA. CDTFA offers employees reliable income, stable benefits, work-life balance, paid holidays, advancement opportunities, and the personal fulfillment of knowing that your work is personally impacting the lives of others.

To take a look at CDTFA as a destination employer please click the link ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3a7w_igqDU )

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

Job Description And Duties

All applicants will be considered, however SROA/Surplus candidates will be given priority.

This position is located in the Legal Division's Settlement Section.

Under the general direction of the Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney III independently handles or assists in handling complex and sensitive issues arising from the administration and enforcement of California’s Sales and Use Tax law, local, district, and special tax and fee programs on behalf of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Responsibilities of the Attorney III include, but are not limited to: reviewing, analyzing, and applying state and federal laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in preparation of complex and sensitive sales and use tax or special tax and fee litigation, administrative appeals conferences, tax and fee settlement negotiations, legal opinions, and briefs; preparing legal documents, memoranda, appeals decisions, summaries, and reports; assisting in the presentation of sales and use tax, special tax and fee programs, and bankruptcy and collections cases before state and federal courts; independently handling or assisting in handling administrative appeals conferences and settlement negotiations of tax and fee cases; presenting tax and fee cases in front of the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA); responding to stakeholder requests for legal opinions or advice; investigating and evaluating facts and evidence; securing, preparing and interviewing witnesses; assisting with the drafting of legislative proposals, department rules and regulations; advising executive management, Assistant Chief Counsel, Attorney Supervisor, Attorneys and staff regarding the legal effect of CDTFA rules and regulations, proposed legislative measures, statutory law, court decisions, and administrative actions. May assist, train, or mentor attorneys with more complex, important, or novel legal work as directed.

Under the direction of the Attorney Supervisor, the Attorney handles or assists in handling all aspects of administering and enforcing California’s Sales and Use Tax law, local, district and special tax and fee programs on behalf of the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA). Responsibilities of the Attorney include, but are not limited to: reviewing, analyzing, and applying state and federal laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in preparation of litigation, administrative appeals cases, settlement negotiations, legal opinions, and briefs; preparing legal documents, memoranda, appeals decisions, summaries, and reports; assisting in the presentation of sales and use tax, special tax and fee programs, and bankruptcy and collections cases before state and federal courts; handling or assisting in handling administrative appeals conferences and settlement negotiations of tax and fee cases; presenting tax and fee cases in front of the Office of Tax Appeals (OTA); responding to stakeholder requests for legal opinions or advice; investigating and evaluating facts and evidence; securing, preparing and interviewing witnesses; assisting with the drafting of legislative proposals, Department rules and regulations; advising the Assistant Chief Counsel, Attorney Supervisor and staff regarding the legal effect of Department rules and regulations, proposed legislative measures, statutory law, court decisions, and administrative actions. May assist attorneys with more complex legal work as directed.

Overnight travel both in and out of state may be required up to twenty percent (20%) of the time.

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Under Government Code 14200, this position may be eligible for partial telework for eligible candidates residing in California. All telework/hybrid schedules require staff to report to the office a minimum number of days per week. Schedules are subject to change.

Currently, per the California Budget Act of 2025, all California Department of Tax and Fee Administration salaries are subject to the provisions of the State of California’s Personal Leave Program.

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill additional identical vacancies which occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

This is the link to the exam bulletin for the ATTORNEY III

This is the link to the exam bulletin for the ATTORNEY

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Special Requirements

• This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.; for more information about E-Verify, please go to www.dhs.gov/e-verify
• Position requires employee to be fingerprinted and successfully pass a background investigation.
• Education: For classifications where the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) are based on meeting education requirements only: If education is required to meet the MQs please attach a copy of all of your transcripts that show the completion of the required education. Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org .