Job Posting: Senior Counsel

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

JC-491925
-
Senior Counsel
ATTORNEY III

$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 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: 10/13/2025

Job Description and Duties

Candidates hired into the Attorney III (Range A) classification at the minimum of the pay range will receive a pay differential added to their base salary. This pay differential brings the monthly gross salary to $11,695, before the 2025 PLP 4.62 percent pay reduction discussed further below.

The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is recruiting for three Permanent, full-time Attorney IIIs within its Legal Division. These positions may be based in the Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego offices. This recruitment may be used to fill subsequent vacancies of these positions within the next 180 days

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 asset businesses; state-chartered banks, credit unions, and money transmitters; 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 the Assistant Chief Counsel of the Legal Division, the Attorney III will draft regulations to enhance consumer protections and encourage positive financial innovation, provide legal opinions, analyze pending legislation, and work on other related tasks to support the DFPI’s regulatory responsibilities. Depending upon business needs, the attorney may join a team of more senior attorneys responsible for implementing the Digital Financial Assets Law and may focus initially on implementation of that law.

The attorney will promulgate regulations to implement legislation pursuant to the California Administrative Procedure Act rulemaking process. The attorney will analyze current legal developments and industry practices for 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 industry and public interest representatives and other state, local, and national agencies to formulate new regulations; and work with third-party vendors to perform studies to justify rulemaking decisions. The attorney will lead or participate in internal task forces formed to implement new laws and serve as a subject matter expert and main point of contact and liaison to other state and federal agencies.

 

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 PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the reduction in pay. All Bargaining Unit 2 classifications will receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours of PLP 2025 per month.

 

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

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.

This job requires reporting on site, however, telework may be available once established.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-491925
Position #(s):
410-103-5795-219
410-103-5795-216
410-103-5795-215
Working Title:
Senior Counsel
Classification:
ATTORNEY III
$10,852.00 - $15,325.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
3
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

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:


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 Code. The incumbent is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 1st and within 30 days of leaving office.

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: 10/13/2025

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 Financial Protection and Innovation
N/A
Attn: Ashley Johnson
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
N/A
Ashley Johnson
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
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 required and must be included.
  • Other -

    Cover Letter- A cover letter is required and must be included with your application. Resumes and other documents will not be considered as a cover letter and will be deemed as an incomplete application. The cover letter should succinctly explain why you possess some or all of the desirable qualifications included in this job listing. Applicants who submit generic cover letters or cover letters that do not address any of the desirable qualifications above will not be considered. The cover letter should be no longer than two pages.

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.

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:
  • A demonstrated interest in protecting consumers and/or encouraging consumer-friendly market innovation. 
  • Experience providing legal advice to agencies, consumers, or businesses operating in the financial services space. 
  • A demonstrated interest and familiarity with emerging markets for financial services, including but not limited to crypto asset-related services.
  • Familiarity with the consumer financial protection and securities laws that the DFPI administers, or analogous state and federal laws.
  • Experience with agency rulemaking at the state or federal level. 
  • Ability to navigate complex questions requiring legal and policy analysis.
  • Experience communicating complex legal concepts to non-attorneys.

Benefits

State employees may be eligible for health, dental, vision and leave benefits, as well as retirement programs and other benefits. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees’ wages, hours and conditions of employment. Other possible benefits include:

 

  • Alternate Work Schedules
  • 1 Day Telework
  • Reimbursement Accounts


Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Ashley Johnson
(916) 268-8267

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:
Angelina Endsley
(916) 576-4938
eeo@dfpi.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.

Examination Information

To obtain list eligibility for the Attorney lll before applying for the position(s), you must first take and pass the Attorney III examination.

Candidate Resources/Tools:

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job