Closing Date: 29th December, 2025

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
CalHR has authorized the DFPI to pay candidates hired at the Attorney IV (Range A) a hire above minimum (H.A.M.) rate of $12,925.00 per month. However, effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each full-time employee shall receive a reduction in pay in exchange for monthly PLP 2025 leave credits. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement and the H.A.M. rate above do not reflect the reduction in pay. All Bargaining Unit 2 classifications (including Attorney IVs) will receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours of PLP 2025 leave per month. PLP 2025 leave credits do not expire and are provided in addition to standard vacation and annual leave credits.

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is recruiting for one Permanent, Full-time Attorney IV position within its Legal Division. This position may be based in the Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego office.

The DFPI is a California state agency that protects California consumers, small businesses, and investors, and administers multiple state licensing laws relating to financial services. Industries that the DFPI regulates include digital financial asset (including crypto asset) businesses, mortgage and student loan servicers, state-licensed lenders, investment advisors, and debt collectors. The DFPI often considers legal and policy issues presented by emerging financial technologies, and develops strategies that protect consumers and investors while encouraging financial innovation that benefits all Californians. The Legal Division is a team of attorneys and professional staff that draft regulations, legal opinions, and legislative analysis, and coordinate the DFPI's responses to subpoenas and Public Records Act requests.

Under the general direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel of the Legal Division, the Attorney IV will draft regulations to enhance consumer protection and encourage positive financial innovation, provide legal opinions, analyze pending legislation, and work on other tasks to support the DFPI's regulatory responsibilities.

With respect to rulemaking, the attorney will write complex and time-sensitive regulations; complete all documents necessary to comply with the Office of Administrative Law rulemaking process; schedule and lead public hearings regarding proposed rulemaking; confer with the Office of Administrative Law; and advise the Commissioner on interpretive issues under the Administrative Procedure Act. The attorney will analyze current legal developments and industry practices for the purposes of drafting regulations; initiate or lead projects that involve analysis of legal, economic, regulatory, and social trends that may result in changes in the policies and interpretations of the Commissioner; initiate or lead special projects to implement Department laws and policies; consult with stakeholder groups and other local, state, and federal agencies in order to formulate new regulations; and work with third-party vendors to perform studies to guide rulemaking decisions. The attorney will lead or participate in internal task forces and serve as a subject matter expert and main point of contact and liaison to other state and federal agencies.

The Attorney IV will also write internal legal opinions and external interpretive opinions in response to requests from Department programs and businesses that submit opinion requests consistent with Commissioner's Release 61-C. Legal and interpretive opinions help Department programs understand the laws they administer and assist private parties in understanding whether a planned business will operate in compliance with the Department's interpretation of the laws it administers. In drafting legal opinions, the Attorney IV will consider legal precedents and rules of statutory interpretation, public policies underlying the statutes the Department administers, and the practical concerns of the Department's non-attorney staff responsible for administering the law.

The Attorney IV is also expected to serve as a lead attorney on complex projects, to review and provide feedback for other attorneys' work product, and to mentor junior attorneys. You will find additional information about the job in the duty statement. This recruitment may be used to fill subsequent vacancies of these positions within the next 180 days.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30185478&name=FINALAttorneyIVDutyStatement.pdf)

Working Conditions:
Sacramento Location:
The Sacramento office is in the new state-of-the-art May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento's River District, conveniently located next to Light Rail. On site parking available for a fee.

San Francisco Location:
The San Francisco office is located in the heart of the financial district within walking distance to BART and restaurants.

Los Angeles Location:
The Los Angeles office is located in the heart of the downtown financial district within walking distance to restaurants, transit, multiple parking options.

San Diego Location:
The San Diego office is located in the heart of Mission Valley, within walking distance to many shops and restaurants.

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

Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=501110)
Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30185478&name=FINALAttorneyIVDutyStatement.pdf)

Department Information:
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DFPI supervises the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and money transmitters. Additionally, the DFPI licenses and regulates a variety of financial service providers, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders and other consumer finance lenders. The DFPI offers benefit packages, competitive salary, a robust training program and opportunities for advancement.

Department Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/

Special Requirements:

The position(s) require(s) a(n) The State Bar of California License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Please do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

Additional Filing Instructions:

You are encouraged to apply electronically through your CalCareers account.
If applying with a hard copy application, please reference “JC-50110/RPA#LEGL 26-081” in the Job Title section of your State application in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Hard copy applications not received or postmarked by 5:00 pm on the final filing date will not be accepted.
Emailed and faxed applications will not be accepted.

Fingerprint
Title 11, section 703 (d) of the California Code of Regulations requires criminal record checks of all personnel who have access to Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI). Pursuant to this requirement, applicants for this position will be required to submit fingerprints to the Department of Justice and be cleared before hiring. In accordance to DFPI's (CORI) procedures, clearance shall be maintained while employed in a CORI-designated position. Additionally, the position routinely works with sensitive and confidential issues and/or materials and is expected to maintain the privacy and confidentiality of documents and topics pertaining to individuals or to sensitive program matters at all times.

Conflict of Interest
This Position Is Subject to Title 10, 250.30 of The California Code of Regulations, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's Conflict of Interest Regulations, the Incumbent Is Required to Submit a Statements of Economic Interests (form 700) Within 30 Days of Assuming Office, Annually by April 1s