What are the responsibilities and job description for the ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR position at California State Personnel Board?
Department of Social Services
ATTORNEY SUPERVISOR
$12,590.00 - $16,900.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 5/1/2026
Job Description and Duties
We are looking for a detail-oriented, self-motivated candidate that possesses strong interpersonal communication skills and who demonstrates excellent analytical abilities.
The successful candidate will be expert in and have extensive demonstrated experience independently providing house counsel or governmental representation in the majority of these areas: a wide range of employment matters including personnel actions, decisions, and policies; discrimination, harassment, and retaliation prevention and claims; whistleblower complaints; criminal background reviews; and conflict of interest. The successful candidate will be someone who can gain both the trust and support of, and work cooperatively with, management and staff at all levels. The Attorney Supervisor carries a caseload of the most complex cases and oversees the work of a group of attorneys and paralegals in the preparation for representing the Department before the State Personnel Board, Office of Administrative Hearings, and other administrative bodies. The Attorney Supervisor reviews pleadings, briefs and other legal documents related to disciplinary and other matters developed by subordinate attorneys.
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Working Conditions
This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Department of Social Services under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the CDSS policies. For positions advertised in more than one location, headquarter location may be designated on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location in accordance with operational need and available space. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.
Position Details
Department Information
CDSS Guiding Principles
Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.
Community Engagement
Empowerment
Quality Services
Data Defined Outcomes
Special Requirements
- The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
Do not include any confidential information in 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.
• STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS
Keeping the desirable qualifications in mind, please answer the following three questions. Each question is to be numbered and started on a separate page. One page per question for a total of three pages. Standard 1” inch margins and 12-point type are required. In order to be considered for the position, your SOQ must meet the above requirements.
Applicants who do not submit an SOQ will be disqualified. Applicants who do not follow the instructions for an SOQ, or who submit an incomplete SOQ, will be disqualified. 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.
1. Describe your knowledge of, and experience with public sector employment law with an emphasis on representing state or county departments. Include an example of a situation that demonstrates your ability analyze complex issues and draft clear concise legal opinions within the given time frame.
2. Describe your experience guiding, mentoring, supervising, or managing legal staff.
3. Describe your ability to effectively communicate complex and sensitive issues to high-level management, including presentation of critical issues and recommended resolution. How do you gauge whether you were effective in the communicating the intent of your communication?
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. 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 the 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
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. 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: 5/1/2026Who May 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
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
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 - (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.
Desirable Qualifications
- Supervisory or analogous leadership experience;
- Extensive knowledge and experience in public sector employment law;
- Attention to detail and ability to independently organize, manage work and complete work within deadlines;
- Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, staff of other state and federal agencies, and client advocacy organizations, Superior analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, superior interpersonal skills, and tact;
- Willingness and ability to perform duties in a customer service-oriented manner.
Benefits
TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT
Public transit (mass transit) passes.
- Vanpool drivers and riders
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Tuyen Nguyen
(916) 639-8603
Tuyen.Nguyen@dss.ca.gov
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:EEO Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.ca.gov
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.
Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025
Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.
Examination Information
Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list. If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination. Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary. For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov.
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 : $12,590 - $16,900