ATTORNEY IV

California Department of Developmental Services; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 12,000 - 16,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Dental and vision insurance

Job summary

California Department of Developmental Services seeks an Attorney IV (Privacy) to lead privacy policy, risk management, and data sharing compliance. The role advises the Director and staff, handles breaches, drafts protective contracts, and participates in litigation strategy across state systems.

Hybrid in-office/telework; salary steps include an entrance rate and a range, with travel as needed. Strong knowledge of privacy statutes and governance is essential.

Qualifications

• California State Bar License required.
• Experience in privacy, compliance and data sharing.
• Ability to provide legal and policy advice on privacy issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead on breaches or suspected breaches of confidential information and develop privacy policies.
• Advise Director and staff on privacy-related issues and compliance.
• Represent the Department in state and federal proceedings and hearings.

Job description

Job Description And Duties

The Attorney IV acts as the Department of Developmental Service’s (Department) designated Privacy Officer. The Attorney IV serves as an expert on the statutes, regulations, and policies and procedures related to the maintenance and protection of confidential and/or private information. Under general direction of the Chief Counsel and Assistant Chief Counsels, the Attorney IV advises the Director, executive staff, state-operated facilities, the Information Technology Division’s privacy-related personnel, and the human resources staff on privacy-related issues. The incumbent also assists the 21 private nonprofit regional centers, and other communities on privacy compliance, as may be appropriate. The Attorney IV takes the lead on breaches or suspected breaches of confidential information; develops and implements Department privacy policies and procedures; monitors privacy compliance and risk management; analyzes, interprets and provides positions on proposed privacy and data sharing legislation; drafts contractual documents to ensure protection of the Department’s confidential information; and engages in litigation strategy.

The Attorney IV, under general direction of the Chief Counsel and Assistant Chief Counsels, using broad discretion and working independently, also provides legal and policy advice on administrative, procedural, regulatory issues and projects that have a significant impact on Departmental operations and policy. The incumbent will train and mentor Attorney and Attorney III staff counsel on all of the above. The Attorney IV also represents the Department in proceedings before state and federal courts and administrative bodies throughout the state.

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 $13,313.00 for the Attorney IV classification.

Maintain normal and consistent work hours, averaging 40 hours per week (proportionally less for part time positions). 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 and available to clients between the core working hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., unless official state business requires them to be elsewhere. If outside of the office 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 in the office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., or arrange for alternative 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.

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 25 lbs. each and a file may constitute more than one box.

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-529296

Position #(s):
472-543-5780-003

Working Title:
Attorney IV (Privacy)

Classification:
ATTORNEY IV

$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:
Permanent, Full Time

Facility:
Department of Developmental Services

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.

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

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) California State Bar License License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be numbered in the same order as the following areas, typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than two pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the questions or submit an SOQ may not be considered.

• Describe why you are interested in working as an Attorney IV for the California Department of Developmental Services.
• Describe your experience in handling complex legal issues relating to privacy, compliance and data sharing.

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: Conducting legal research and preparing all products, Timely open and close assigned cases and maintain case files on all assigned matters. Submit updated monthly reports to the Chief Counsel and Assistant Chief Counsels.

Ability to: Interact independently, professionally, and courteously with departmental Executive team and multiple program managers while performing multiple tasks that often require stringent deadlines; communicate effectively in writing and audibly in person, through the use of documents and electronic devices. Proficient in Microsoft Word, Outlook, Westlaw, Abode, and all other computer tools, programs, or systems utilized by the Office of Legal Affairs, handle multiple tasks and effectively prioritize workloads.

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 .

If you have not taken the Attorney IV exam/assessment you may find the exam for this classification at the link below. You must take and pass the exam/assessment to obtain eligibility for hire. Click here to gain list eligibility.

Remove Any Confidential Information

Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts.

Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birt hdate , student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

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.