Policy Attorney

State of California; California; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

CalPERS pension

Paid vacation

Professional Development Days

Personal holiday

Job summary

State of California's CDSS Legal Division is recruiting two full-time, limited-term Attorney IV positions in FAB to provide legal support across CalFresh, CalWORKs, Child Care, and other public social service programs.

Under minimal supervision, the Attorney IV will review federal and state laws, draft legislation and policy guidance, advise on funding and discretionary authority, and provide substantive litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General.

Qualifications

• Education, training and/or experience to successfully perform the most complex and highly technical policy legal work of an Attorney IV with minimal supervision, including, but not limited to: in-depth research and analysis of federal and state statutes, regulations and case law; providing verbal guidance and formulating strategic approaches to implement that guidance; drafting well-reasoned and concise written legal opinions and guidance; analyzing and drafting proposed legislation; assisting in the drafting and review of proposed regulations; and providing substantive litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General on program specific litigation;
• Comprehensive knowledge of the State’s administration, its agencies and departments, the role and responsibilities of state and federal oversight agencies and county administration of public social service programs;
• Extensive experience providing advice to a public entity at all staffing and executive levels on a variety of the most complicated legal issues, and highly political and sensitive matters;
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and accurately, both orally and writing, on complex and highly technical legal issues;
• Possession of superior interpersonal skills and ability to work independently, collaboratively, and effectively with legal colleagues, program staff and executives, other state departments, federal and county partners, California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Finance, and the Governor’s Office;
• Capable of meeting strict deadlines, and/or on an expedited basis with the highest degree of autonomy;
• Detail oriented; and
• Willingness and ability to perform all duties in a customer service-oriented manner.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Job description

This is a re-post. If you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply as your application is on file and will be considered.

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, regulations, case law, policies, and guidance applicable to the programs supported by FAB. 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.

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

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

• Public transit (mass transit) passes.
  • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
  • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
• Vanpool drivers and riders
  • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY IV

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:

A. Education, training and/or experience to successfully perform the most complex and highly technical policy legal work of an Attorney IV with minimal supervision, including, but not limited to: in-depth research and analysis of federal and state statutes, regulations and case law; providing verbal guidance and formulating strategic approaches to implement that guidance; drafting well-reasoned and concise written legal opinions and guidance; analyzing and drafting proposed legislation; assisting in the drafting and review of proposed regulations; and providing substantive litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General on program specific litigation;

B. Comprehensive knowledge of the State’s administration, its agencies and departments, the role and responsibilities of state and federal oversight agencies and county administration of public social service programs;

C. Extensive experience providing advice to a public entity at all staffing and executive levels on a variety of the most complicated legal issues, and highly political and sensitive matters;

D. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and accurately, both orally and writing, on complex and highly technical legal issues;

E. Possession of superior interpersonal skills and ability to work independently, collaboratively, and effectively with legal colleagues, program staff and executives, other state departments, federal and county partners, California Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Finance, and the Governor’s Office;

F. Capable of meeting strict deadlines, and/or on an expedited basis with the highest degree of autonomy;

G. Detail oriented; and

H. Willingness and ability to perform all duties in a customer service-oriented manner.