Job Posting: State Legislative Consultant

Department of Social Services

JC-529541
-
State Legislative Consultant
ANALYST III

$6,623.00 - $8,290.00 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: 9/1/2026

Job Description and Duties

CDSS is seeking highly-motivated and professional applicants for an Analyst III position as a State Legislative Consultant with the Office of Legislation. The Office of Legislation serves as the focal point for all legislative activities, and provides support to the Director, the executive staff, and other divisions within the Department. The Office is responsible for State and federal legislative matters, for obtaining successful passage of Administration and departmental policies which require legislative authority, as well as for communication to the Legislature the Governor's official positions of support or opposition on bills which are germane to and have a potential impact on the Department's program areas. The Legislative Consultant will represent one or more of the Department’s program areas. Managing the bill analysis process requires complex organization and requires the Legislative Consultant to be well-versed on current legislative matters, related statute and regulations, and the Department’s programs they represents. The Legislative Consultant must communicate with sound logic, objectivity, and credibility in the bill analyses they prepare and in discussing legislative matters and responding to questions from the Legislature and others.

The consequence of error associated with this position is significant. Failure to adequately and timely analyze bills and appropriately alert the Director and Executive Staff of any information that could put the Administration’s and Department’s programs or legislative agenda at risk may lead to the passage of legislation that is inconsistent with the Governor’s policy and/or fiscal agenda. The serious consequences which could result include loss of federal funding, inappropriate commitment of state funding, inappropriate changes to human services programs, harm to the thousands of vulnerable children, elderly and disabled people served by the Department, and adverse publicity to the Department or the State. Must work effectively and independently as well as in collaboration with various levels of the organizational hierarchy, and is expected to gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those engaged during the course of work.

Because of the timing of the legislative session and its many statutory deadlines, and the imperative to meet such deadlines, there are times throughout the year when it may be necessary to work long, irregular hours and weekends during peak workload periods.

The Department of Social Services does not participate in E-Verify for employment authorization purposes. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship by the start date of employment.

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Need help with applying for positions, taking an examination, or preparing for interviews? Our team is here to support you, reach out anytime at Recruiter@dss.ca.gov For guidance on applying for a state job, visit Three Steps to a State Job.

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

Working Conditions

Telework-Hybrid Option available. In-person office days are required each week and as business needs require.

This position may be eligible for Hybrid work. In-person attendance is required based on the operational needs of the position and in accordance with  Executive Order N-22-25 the Statewide Hybrid Telework Policy, Government Code section 14200, and any applicable department telework requirements.  The successful candidate must reside in California at the time of appointment. Proof of California residency may be required.

 

Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-529541
Position #(s):
800-070-5402-910
Working Title:
State Legislative Consultant
Classification:
ANALYST III
$6,623.00 - $8,290.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of fellow Californians while achieving your career goals? Do you set high standards for yourself and enjoy a collaborative and challenging work environment? The mission of the California Department of Social Services is to serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The vision of the California Department of Social Services is to provide quality services with a commitment to an inclusive, diverse, and equitable California where all people can thrive.


The Office of Legislation serves as the focal point for all governmental activities and provides support to the Director, the executive staff, and other divisions within the Department. The Office of Legislation is responsible for state and federal legislative matters, for obtaining successful passage of Administration and departmental policies which require legislative authority, as well as for communicating to the Legislature and Congress formal positions of support or opposition on bills which have a potential impact (positive or negative) to the Department's program areas. The Office of Legislation leads the Department’s response for constituent issues to state and federal legislators. The Office of Legislation also works with major policy legislative workgroups, tribes, and local governments. The Department has an annual budget of nearly $50 billion and over 5,500 employees serving over 8 million individuals and families.



CDSS Guiding Principles

 

Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Accessibility. Belonging.

We ensure opportunities for everyone to participate in a meaningful way in fulfilling the mission and vision of CDSS.

 

Community Engagement

We prioritize the lived experiences of community members as a driving force behind the creation, implementation, desired impact, or change of programs and services.

 

Empowerment

We engage, operate, and advocate from the understanding that each community and person has desires and capabilities to lead in their own life.

 

Quality Services

We provide services that align intent and impact by ensuring that they are accessible, community driven, interconnected, and continuously improved.

 

Data Defined Outcomes

We equitably collect and analyze data, take data-driven action, and measure outcomes relevant to those we serve, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Special Requirements

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application to be considered for this position. Applications submitted without an SOQ may be disqualified 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.


Please submit a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) addressing the criteria outlined below.  Your SOQ must be submitted in 12-point font, be no more than two pages in length, and must be submitted with your application to be considered.

 

The Office of Legislation serves as the focal point for all legislative activities and provides support to the Director, the executive staff, and other divisions within the Department.  The Analyst III serves as the Legislative Consultant for one or more of the Department’s program areas.  Managing the bill analysis process requires complex organization and requires the Legislative Consultant to be well-versed on current legislative matters, related statute and regulations, and the Department’s programs he/she represents.  The Legislative Consultant must communicate with sound logic, objectivity, and credibility in the bill analyses they prepare and in discussing legislative matters and responding to questions from the Legislature and others.

 

Please describe your knowledge, skills, and experience in legislation and the Department’s program areas that qualify you for this position.

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.

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.

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: 9/1/2026

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:

Department of Social Services
California Department of Social Services
Attn: Classification & Pay Unit
P. O. Box 944243 - MS 8-15-58
Sacramento, CA 94244-2430

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of Social Services
California Department of Social Services
Classification & Pay Unit
744 P Street, MS 8-15-58
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:

  • 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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission.

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:

This position requires the incumbent to possess a high degree of initiative, independence, judgment, and originality in performing duties; work under short time lines; communicate effectively and professionally, both orally and in writing when interacting with the public and/or other employees; independently complete assignments in a timely and efficient manner, effectively handling multiple tasks and tight deadlines calmly and efficiently; conduct oneself with the highest degree of professionalism, including dressing in business attire, and adherence to departmental policies and procedures regarding attendance, leave, conduct, and professionalism.

The incumbent must be able to provide guidance and leadership with management and staff involved in the development of the legislative agenda and in the preparation of bill analyses. This necessitates extensive communication, persuasive, and negotiating skills in order to effectively defend Administration and departmental interests and positions on legislation and policy decisions and initiatives.

The most qualified candidates will demonstrate a high-degree of initiative, and an exceptional understanding of legislative protocol and the political sensitivity of various issues. Preferred candidates have experience in legislation and/or policy making. Extremely strong analytical, verbal, and written skills are required. The incumbent has frequent contact with all levels of the Department, including the Directorate, deputy directors, and management staff throughout the Department; staff with the Governor’s Office, CHHS, Department of Finance and other departments; members of the Legislature and their staff; the Legislative Analyst’s Office; advocacy groups; provider associations; lobbyists; and the diverse mix of stakeholders who have interest in the Department’s programs.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team!  The State of California has a generous benefits package that includes medical coverage, CalPERS pension upon retirement, two weeks paid vacation per year, two weeks paid sick leave per year, two paid Professional Development Days, one paid Personal Holiday, pre-tax parking fee program.

 

TRANSPORTATION REIMBURSEMENT

  • Public transit (mass transit) passes.
    • 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
    • 100 percent reimbursement on public transit passes purchased by state employees, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.
  • Vanpool drivers and riders
    • 100 percent reimbursement on the monthly fee, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the IRS.

 

Click here to view all the attractive benefits available to state employees!


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

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Debbie Diaz
(916) 657-2623
debbie.diaz@dss.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:
EEO Office
(916) 657-2326
EEOoffice@dss.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.

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025

Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 - Salaries do not reflect reductions from the Personal Leave Program, please see the applicable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for additional information on the length and percentage of reductions.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with any state agency must apply and compete through the state hiring and recruitment process.  

To apply for the examination for this position, click on the link below to search for the examination and follow the “How to Apply” instructions in the examination announcement:

CalCareers Exam/Assessment Search

Successful examination applicants are placed on an eligibility list.  If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination.  Applicants should refer to their examination results or check their CalCareer account for specific list eligibility expiration dates and to re-take the examination when necessary.  For questions regarding the examination process, please contact the Examination Unit at: Examinations@dss.ca.gov.

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