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ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

California Department of Social Services
Sacramento, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 9/27/2025 CLOSED ON 12/18/2025

What are the responsibilities and job description for the ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL position at California Department of Social Services?

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-492315
Position #(s): 800-310-5871-011
Working Title:

Assistant Chief Counsel - Hybrid
Classification:: ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
$14,513.00 - $17,742.00

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 California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence. CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s vulnerable children and families.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) supports programs which serve more than eight million people across our state. This work, accomplished every day, provides stability, opportunity and promotes wellness in communities throughout California. The Department strives to carry out its mission of providing aid, services and protection to needy children and adults. At the same time, we strive to strengthen and encourage individual responsibility and independence for families. CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s needy and vulnerable children and families. Come join our team to experience what it is like to enjoy 'Work with a Purpose'.

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 has 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

This advertisement is posted as until filled. Applications will be reviewed on the 10th business day of each month, and candidates may or may not be selected for interviews. However, the Job Control will remain open until the vacancy is filled. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Legal Division, is recruiting to fill one permanent full time Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) position in the Personnel Bureau of the Information, Technology and Administrative Litigation Branch (ITAL). The ITAL Branch strives to provide comprehensive legal services to all divisions within CDSS to support the work of our clients in helping vulnerable Californians thrive. We collaborate with our departmental partners and program clients to assist in achieving Department objectives through innovative branch practices that create more efficient, inclusive and transparent operations.

The ITAL Branch is a collaborative and cohesive environment, and the successful applicant will be responsible for promoting that environment, fostering career growth, and overseeing the professional development of team members. Under the general direction of the Senior Assistant Chief Counsel, the ACC is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing the work of Senior Attorneys, Attorneys, and Paralegals who provide governmental employment law support, legal advice, document review and representation department-wide.

The ACC is expected to be an expert in the laws, regulations and policies applicable to the programs within their Bureau as well as possess general knowledge of government, legislative, and litigation requirements and processes.

In addition, the ACC participates as a member of the Branch and Legal management teams in the development and implementation of Departmental policies related to the subject program areas as well as Branch and Legal Division polices.

Our ideal candidate is a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual with excellent communication and writing skills and who is an innovative problem-solver. The successful candidate should have demonstrated experience, providing representation. They will also be someone who can work cooperatively with a customer-service focus.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey .

Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job .

Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on our latest opportunities.

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

Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.


Do not include any confidential information on any documents (i.e., application, resume, or transcripts) you submit for this job vacancy. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include but is not limited to: Social Security Number (SSN), birthday and/or age, photos, student/other ID number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, exam results, LEAP status, and marital status. Confidential information submitted via a CalCareer Account (electronic application) is automatically redacted upon submission.

In addition to the STD. 678 job application, applicants must also submit a one-page maximum (12-point Arial font type, standard margins) STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ). The SOQ should describe your leadership philosophy and experience. How has this philosophy and experience enabled you to organize and motivate individuals and groups to efficiently and effectively complete complex tasks and projects? Include in your response information regarding your experience in, and approach to, reviewing and editing the work of others.

A resume or cover letter in lieu of the SOQ responses will disqualify an applicant from consideration. A standard or generic SOQ will disqualify an applicant from consideration. Application packages received without the SOQ will not be considered.

Hiring is subject to state civil service Super SROA/Surplus policies and procedures. Applicants must be current members of the California State Bar.

The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. A criminal conviction in and of itself will not necessarily bar an offer of employment.

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 not complete. 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.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.

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.

Application Instructions Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: Until Filled

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Social Services

California Department of Social Services

Attn: Classification & Pay Unit

P.O.Box 944243

Sacramento , CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Social Services

California Department of Social Services

Classification & Pay Unit

744 P Street, MS 8-15-58

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications - Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.


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.

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.

Salary : $14,513 - $17,742

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