Closing Date: 4th October, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:Under the direction of the Chief Counsel or Assistant Chief Counsels, and using broad discretion in working independently, the Attorney IV will handle and serve as the lead over complex and sensitive state and federal litigation against the Department of Developmental Services (Department), including mentoring and training other Department attorneys in litigation matters. The Attorney IV will serve as the subject matter expert on the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act and other laws applicable to or impacting individuals with developmental disabilities to effectively liaison with the outside counsel and navigate cases through the judicial process. Working with outside counsel, the Attorney IV's combined litigation and subject matter expertise will be used to frame issues for the courts and juries to achieve the most favorable outcomes in cases. The Attorney IV will advise Department Executive Staff on management of complex cases while minimizing the burdens of discovery and other litigation responsibilities for the staff. The Attorney IV will handle, manage, and serve as lead trial counsel on the more complex administrative and regulatory matters the Department will face.
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.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33306654&name=AttorneyIVProposedDutyStatement.pdf)
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 50 lbs. each and a file may constitute more than one box.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional Documents
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:
Attorney IV (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5780)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=531094)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33306654&name=AttorneyIVProposedDutyStatement.pdf)
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 civil or criminal litigation, including details of specific work you completed with the litigation.
If you are using list eligibility from an on-line exam to qualify for this position, you MUST include with your application any documentation (i.e., copy of transcript, degree, license, etc.) to verify meeting the MQ's or you may not be considered for the position.
The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.
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: 10/4/2026
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:
Describe why you are interested in working as an Attorney IV for the California Department of Developmental Services.
Describe your experience in handling complex civil or criminal litigation, including details of specific work you completed with the litigation.
If you are using list eligibility from an on-line exam to qualify for this position, you MUST include with your application any documentation (i.e., copy of transcript, degree, license, etc.) to verify meeting the MQ's or you may not be considered for the position.
The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.
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: 10/4/2026
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:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Attn: Altanzul Urjinkhuu
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento, CA 95814
N/A
Attn: Altanzul Urjinkhuu
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento, CA 95814
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Altanzul Urjinkhuu
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
N/A
Altanzul Urjinkhuu
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
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:
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 required and must be included.
- Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as a documentation
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