ATTORNEY III

California Department of Social Services; Sacramento (CA); Hybrid; USD 11,000 - 15,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) invites applications for one permanent, full-time Attorney III in the CAL Children’s Oversight Bureau. This role supports child welfare policy, data sharing, and program improvement for foster care and related services.

As an experienced attorney, you will research, draft opinions, analyze legislation, draft and review regulations, and provide litigation support to the Attorney General. Hybrid telework is available; Sacramento location.

Qualifications

• 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.
• The successful candidate will conduct research, prepare correspondence, provide oral and written legal opinions, analyze pending legislation, and draft or review regulations.

Responsibilities

• Draft and review CDSS regulations and advise on federal proposals affecting child welfare.
• Provide litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Department.
• Prepare legal pleadings and represent the Department before the Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals in relation to financial audits of short-term residential therapeutic programs.
• Advise CFSD on areas such as Foster youth behavioral health, HCPCFC, and child welfare data sharing.
• Perform legal policy work to support the CFSD and child welfare programs.

Job description

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-530739
Position #: 800-310-5795-007
Working Title: Children and Family Services Attorney III
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.
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: Sacramento County
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.

The CDSS Legal Division has two Program Litigation Branches that are dedicated to providing legal advice and services to the various Divisions within the Department. The Legal Division's Program Litigation Branches are dedicated to providing legal advice and services to the Divisions of the Department responsible for administering or overseeing numerous social service programs and related functions.

CDSS Guiding Principles

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging. We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

Community Engagement We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

Empowerment We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person have desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

Quality Services We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

Data Defined Outcomes We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

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.

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.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
• This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.
• This position is designated under the Conflict-of-Interest Code.
• 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.
• 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. 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.

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 workplace. 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.

Final Filing Date: 9/15/2026