Job Posting: Senior Counsel

Department of Financial Protection and Innovation

JC-496153
-
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: 10/31/2025

Job Description and Duties

CalHR has authorized the DFPI to pay candidates hired in at the Attorney III (Range A) a hire above minimum (H.A.M.) rate of $12,046.00.

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.


The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is recruiting for three Permanent, Full-time Attorney III positions within the Enforcement Division. These positions are to be located 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.

Reporting to the Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney III performs independently and with broad discretion, litigation work. The Attorney III will represent the Department in all litigation forums including civil and administrative cases in state and federal courts and before the Office of Administrative Hearings. The Attorney III will serve as lead counsel on routine matters, directing a team of attorneys, examiners, and investigators. This role involves analyzing products, developing litigation strategies to determine whether licensing is required, and negotiating compliance through licensure. The Attorney III will also prepare legal opinions and factual analyses and recommend appropriate enforcement actions.

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. Parking available for a fee.

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

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

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

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship or a training plan, now or in the future.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-496153
Position #(s):
410-140-5795-214
410-140-5795-219
410-140-5795-100
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) State Bar of California License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
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 1st and within 30 days of leaving office.

Additional Filing Instructions: 

  • You are encouraged to apply electronically through your CalCareers account.
  • If applying with a hard copy application, please reference “JC-496153/ENF 26-013, 014, and 057” 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.

Do not provide any personal identifying information on the documents (Social Security Number, Date of Birth, age etc.) you submit with your application. Additionally, do not complete or submit the Equal Employment Opportunity, page 10 of the Std. 678 with your application page. The EEO page is for examination use only. Furthermore, do not provide any LEAP information with your application package.


Please see the attached Class Specification. All applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications (MQ's) for the classification they are applying for. Possession of MQ's will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. 

Interested applicants using education to meet MQ's must include a copy of their unofficial transcripts/diploma showing completion of required coursework for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.

Foreign Degrees must provide Degree Evaluation to verify U.S. equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at: Evaluation of Foreign Degrees - United States Department of State.

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: 10/31/2025

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: Phoebe Plumley
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
Phoebe Plumley
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
SE Tower
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.
  • Supplemental Application -

    A Supplemental Questionnaire is REQUIRED for this position. Application packages received without a Supplemental Questionnaire may not be considered. Please refer to the Supplemental Questionnaire section below for specific requirements. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other documents do not take the place of this requirement.

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:

1. Attorneys must have a wide breadth of legal experience or demonstrated ability to master new laws and regulations quickly and effectively.

2. Attorneys must show ability to perform independently and with broad discretion, legal work of the more complex and sensitive nature, including the conducting of the more difficult and complex litigation, appellate cases, settlements, and pre-trial, post-trial negotiations, legal research, and hearings under the laws under the jurisdiction of the Department.

3. Attorneys must have knowledge of: legal principles and their application; legal research methods; court procedures; principles of administrative and constitutional law; rules of evidence and conduct of proceedings in trial and appellate courts of California and the United States and before administrative bodies; legal terms and forms in common use; statutory and case law literature and authorities; and provisions of laws and Government Code sections administered or enforced.

4. Attorney must show the ability to effectively represent the Department and make sound decisions with minimal guidance in cases that are more complex and sensitive. Attorneys must show the ability to identify and prioritize critical issues impacting the Department and use sound judgment to reach a legally appropriate solution.

5. The attorney must show proven ability to analyze legal principles and precedents and apply them to the more difficult and complex legal and administrative problems; negotiate effectively and conduct litigation that is more complex and sensitive in nature; work cooperatively with a variety of individuals and organizations and maintain the confidence and respect of others; and work effectively under pressure.

6. The attorney must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, in a courteous and professional manner to a variety of individuals.

7. The attorney should demonstrate the ability to listen to others to facilitate an open exchange of ideas and work collaboratively with others in a team environment.

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
• 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:
Phoebe Plumley
(916) 210-9363
phoebe.plumley@dfpi.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:
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.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE INSTRUCTIONS

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ must be no more than two page(s) in length, single-spaced, using Arial 12-point font and must have the applicant's first and last name and Supplemental Questionnaire in the upper left corner.

Applications received without a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and Supplemental Applications do not take the place of the SQ.

Please respond to the following questions:

1. Legal Analysis and Decision Making
Question: Discuss your experience in analyzing complex facts and laws subject to the DFPI’s jurisdiction and determining appropriate courses of action.
[Additional instructions: Discuss in your answer number of hearings, and frequency of hearings, number of pleading and type of pleadings and frequency of filing pleadings; number of briefs and frequency of filing briefs, any experience including frequency and number of instances, you have in reviewing complaints, referrals from outside agencies, reviewing recommending legislation, and experience in recommending appropriate action in all areas of law subject to the DFPI’s jurisdiction including criminal, civil and administrative.]

2. Legal Practice and Procedure
Question: Describe your experience performing legal work as an attorney in all areas since being licensed to practice law. Include in your response experience and accomplishments and favorable results in preparing and presenting legal arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form; discuss any expertise you have in a specific area of law; experience negotiating and resolving disputes in litigation, conducting hearings.

3. DFPI Jurisdictional Legal Experience
Question: The DFPI regulates and enforces specific laws related to the financial industry. This position requires greater familiarity with the laws subject to the DFPI’s jurisdiction. Therefore, discuss your familiarity with these laws and these industries generally. Include specific details of your legal experience while working with the laws subject to DFPI jurisdiction.

Examination & Candidate Resources:

Examination: Candidates applying with List Eligibility must successfully pass the examination for this classification.

Please read the Minimum Qualifications section of the Classification Specifications AND the Exam Bulletin carefully to ensure you are currently eligible to take this examination before taking it. Candidates taking the exam prior to being eligible may be disqualified.

Link to Exam Bulletin and Exam: 
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1580

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