Closing Date: 11th October, 2024
Description:
Job Description and Duties:A California State Agency Legal Division is recruiting for one permanent full time Attorney III position in its Children's and Community Care Licensing Policy Branch.
Attorneys providing support to the Children's programs are the primary legal advisors to the Children and Family Services Division (CFSD), which is responsible for overseeing or administering various social services programs such as foster care, adoptions, guardianship, and other child welfare services. The unit also provides legal support for other offices and teams within A California State Agency that focus on the experience, needs, and services of children in foster care and equivalent programs.
As an experienced attorney, the Attorney III is an expert, or has the ability to acquire expertise, in juvenile law, regulations, and policies relevant to programs administered by the Department.
The successful candidate is expected to conduct research and analysis on any of the Children's programs, to prepare correspondence and legal research memoranda, to provide oral and written legal opinions, to analyze and advise on pending legislation affecting the Department, to assist in drafting and review of A California State Agency regulations, to review and advise on proposed federal law affecting A California State Agency programs, to draft legislation, and to provide training and information to CFSD or other Department staff. The Attorney III will also provide litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General on behalf of the Department for Children's programs.
The successful candidate must be able to function under pressure in politically sensitive situations, meet strict deadlines, and work collaboratively with clients and colleagues.
The successful candidate will primarily be assigned to provide legal support for the CFSD in the areas of foster care and child welfare services. Areas of responsibility may include, but will not be limited to, advising the CFSD on state and federal law regarding child abuse reporting and investigations, family finding, and permanency for children through reunification, guardianship, or adoption. As some children in the child welfare continuum are under the supervision of a county probation department, knowledge of the intersection foster care, child welfare, and juvenile justice is a desirable qualification.
In addition to other duties, a successful candidate may be required to prepare legal pleadings and represent the Department before the Department of Health Care Services' Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals in relation to financial audits of group homes and short-term residential therapeutic programs.
The state offers comprehensive benefits including health, dental, vision, long-term care and disability insurance, as well as paid leave. Please see the Benefits section below for more details.
Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees! (http://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/new-employee-benefits-orientation.aspx)
Would you like more information regarding career opportunities with the A California State Agency? We'd love to hear from you! Please contact us at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov and include the job classification and job control number in the subject line. Information about applying for a state job can be found here: Three Steps to a State Job. (https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcalcareers.ca.gov%2FCalHRPublic%2FLanding%2FJobs%2FSteps.aspx&data=05%7C02%7CRenee.Nadler%40dss.ca.gov%7Cb6a6c3b15c9442643d9a08dc8fb00d57%7C0235ba6b2cf04b75bc5dd6187ce33de3%7C1%7C0%7C638543233729496665%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rTwpHPTm3iTFwApUMPZzx%2BK1E%2FTedbt7DFvFyvoWANI%3D&reserved=0)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=25112332&name=legaldutys.pdf)
Working Conditions:
The Legal Division uses a hybrid telework model to provide all employees with an avenue to telework while ensuring business and operational needs are met. Except when required to report to the office, this position allows for telework at an alternative work location. An alternative work location would be the successful applicant's residence. For travel purposes, reimbursement would be based on the assigned office location.
This position may be eligible for hybrid telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time. Specific telework arrangements may be discussed in more detail with the respective hiring manager. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the Department of Social Services policies. Headquarter location will be designated based on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest A California State Agency location.
Special Requirements:
Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.
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.
Who May Apply: Applications will be accepted from current members of the California State Bar who are currently employed in a California civil service position at the Attorney III level, who have current list eligibility for appointment to the Attorney III level, who have SROA/Surplus eligibility, or who have reinstatement rights to this level. Interested applicants must submit:
Application packages will be screened, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. Selected candidate will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hiring approval is subject to state civil service SROA/Surplus policies and procedures. Please see the California Department of Human Resources website at: www.calhr.ca.gov for further information on taking examinations, obtaining list eligibility and minimum qualifications. Hiring is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice. Hiring is subject to Department of Finance Approval.
This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.
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.
Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.
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.
Who May Apply: Applications will be accepted from current members of the California State Bar who are currently employed in a California civil service position at the Attorney III level, who have current list eligibility for appointment to the Attorney III level, who have SROA/Surplus eligibility, or who have reinstatement rights to this level. Interested applicants must submit:
- A standard State Application Form (STD 678) and must clearly indicate the basis of hiring eligibility on the STD 678;
- A maximum four-page SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) that includes a description how the applicant meets the DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS identified in this job announcement. Applications without eligibility information and a complete SOQ may not be considered.
Application packages will be screened, and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. Selected candidate will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hiring approval is subject to state civil service SROA/Surplus policies and procedures. Please see the California Department of Human Resources website at: www.calhr.ca.gov for further information on taking examinations, obtaining list eligibility and minimum qualifications. Hiring is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice. Hiring is subject to Department of Finance Approval.
This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.
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.
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:
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, or the ability to acquire, knowledge of state and federal child welfare laws, adoption laws, and/or laws related to the juvenile justice.
- Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in-house counsel work including but not limited to preparing legal opinions, analyzing legislation, drafting and reviewing regulations, preparing and reviewing correspondence, and providing litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General;
- Understanding of the Administrative Branch of state government, its agencies and departments and the role of state and federal oversight agencies;
- Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, staff of other state and federal agencies, and client advocacy organizations, while working independently and as part of a team;
- Willing and able to understand A California State Agency programs and policies in order to provide sound legal advice that is responsive to the organization's needs;
