ATTORNEY III

California Department of Developmental Services; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 89,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Developmental Services in Sacramento County seeks a Senior Staff Counsel (Attorney III) to handle complex legal matters, including probate conservatorships, regulatory interpretation, contracts, and civil litigation. The role requires collaboration with the Chief Counsel and traveling as needed.

You will represent DDS in courts and administrative bodies statewide, maintain calendars, and provide guidance to programmatic staff.

Qualifications

• SOQ must be typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be one page in length.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Westlaw, and Adobe.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workloads.

Responsibilities

• Perform complex and sensitive legal work including probate conservatorships, regulatory interpretation, contracts, personnel matters, and legislative analysis.
• Represent the Department in courts and administrative proceedings statewide.
• Maintain calendars and coordinate time and travel; interact with department staff and clients.
• Assist Attorney IV with more complex matters.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Westlaw

Adobe

Multitasking

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Westlaw

Adobe

Job description

Work Location:

Sacramento County

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:

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.

The Department now offers an entrance salary rate of $12,046 for the Attorney III classification.

The Department now offers an entrance salalary rate of Range A $8,846 and Range B $9,956 for the Attorney classification.

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-528218

Position #(s): 472-543-5795-005

Working Title: Senior Staff Counsel

Classification: ATTORNEY III

$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

$7,969.00 - $10,473.00 A

$8,969.00 - $12,026.00 B

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Sacramento County

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 include 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.

The Department Is Located In a Modern, Sustainable And Innovative Office Building At 1215 "O" Street, Sacramento, California. Some Amenities Of The Building Include:

• First floor retail space (separate access from 12 th Street)
• Café with multiple vendors
• Outdoor seating for meal breaks
• Employee fitness center which includes a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights
• Plaza area with kitchenette on each floor
• Lactation rooms

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?

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 writing and audibly 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.

Contact Information:

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

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

Human Resources Contact:

Altanzul Urjinkhuu

[phone]

[e-mail]

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:

Equal Employment Opportunity Office

[phone]

[e-mail]

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Information:

Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.

Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate may be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the California Department of Human Resources.

All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further information on the definition of the above may be found on the California Department of Human Resources website at: www.calhr.ca.gov .

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.