ATTORNEY IV

California Department of Social Services; California; Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Social Services is seeking a Policy Attorney (Attorney IV) for the FAB unit. The position is a 12-month limited-term full-time role with hybrid telework, located in the United States, California.

The successful candidates will provide legal support across FAB’s program areas, including CalFresh, CalWORKs, and In-Home Supportive Services, among others. The Attorney IV will perform complex and sensitive legal work, review and interpret statutes, advise on funding, draft

Responsibilities

• Review, research, and interpret federal and state laws and regulations, case law, and program guidance.
• Advise on funding issues and parameters of broad discretionary authority.
• Draft legislation including trailer bill and budget bill language.

Job description

Position Details

Working Title: Policy Attorney

Job Code #: JC-528049

Position #(s): 800-310-5780-955

Classification: ATTORNEY IV

Salary: $11,993.00 - $16,096.00 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: United States

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - 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.

CDSS oversees and coordinates an array of safety net and emergency response programs, and the delivery of social services totaling $50 billion in partnership with the State’s 58 counties as well as community services providers. In support of those efforts, the CDSS Legal Division’s Family and Adult Programs Policy & Litigation Branch (FAB) provides timely, responsive, thorough and accurate legal services. We are a dynamic, collaborative and energetic legal team that provides diverse, complex, challenging and, at times, cutting edge legal guidance for some of the largest public social service programs in the nation.

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 CDSS Legal Division is recruiting to fill two full-time, limited-term Attorney IV positions in FAB. These are 12-month limited term positions and may be extended to a maximum of 24-months and/or may become permanent based on operational needs. FAB provides legal support to various divisions within CDSS which administer the following public social service programs, among others:

• CalFresh and nutrition programs
• CalWORKs Eligibility and Employment
• Cash Assistance Payments for Immigrants
• Child Care and Development
• Civil Rights for Public Social Service Programs
• Disaster Services
• Housing and Homelessness
• Immigration & Refugees
• In‑Home Supportive Services
• Trafficking and Crime Victim Assistance

The successful candidates for the Attorney IV positions will be assigned to provide legal support to one or more of FAB’s program areas.

Under minimal supervision, the Attorney IV will perform some of the most complicated, politically sensitive, and fiscally significant legal work in FAB, including: reviewing, researching, and interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, case law, and program guidance; advising on funding issues and parameters of broad discretionary authority; drafting legislation including trailer bill and budget bill language; assisting in the drafting and reviewing of program policy guidance; and providing substantive litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General. The Attorney IV should have knowledge and experience of, or possess the skills and experience to quickly learn, the applicable state and federal statutes

Additionally, the candidate should have experience in a policy legal role and/or experience advising public entities in the manner of in‑house counsel.

This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in accordance with 2 CCR 249.3.

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.

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at [e-mail] . For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job

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.

WHO MAY APPLY

Applicants must be current members of the California State Bar. Successful applicants will need to have passed an examination for this classification or be an existing State Employee with transfer eligibility and will have followed the instructions under the Special Requirements and Required Application Documents section. Electronic applications are encouraged, although hard copy applications will be accepted. Hard copy applications must include the Job Control and Position number in the “Explanation” section and be signed and dated. Hiring is subject to state Super SROA and surplus policies and procedures.

Interested applicants must submit a completed and signed standard State Application Form (STD 678) and must clearly indicate the basis of hiring eligibility on the STD 678.

Applicants who fail to include these items and/or follow the above-established requirements may not be considered. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Selected candidates will be subject to a criminal record background check fingerprint clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

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.

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

Final Filing Date: 10/26/2026

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.