Job Posting: Assistant Chief Counsel

Department of Social Services

JC-335596
-
Assistant Chief Counsel
ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

$13,670.00 - $15,990.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 1/17/2023

Job Description and Duties

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position. Please see "Special Requirements" section for Statement of Qualifications instructions.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Legal Division, is recruiting to fill one permanent full time Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) position to lead the Technology & Contracts (T&C) Bureau within the Information, Technology and Administrative Litigation Branch of the Legal Division. This position is eligible for Remote-centered telework.

The CDSS is a large department charged with administering or supervising counties in their administration of all public social services programs in the state. To support public social service delivery, CDSS has a multi-billion-dollar portfolio of automated information technology systems and is further developing its robust technology platform to support data-driven policy decision making. In addition, each year CDSS enters into thousands of contracts, interagency agreements, memoranda of understanding, data sharing agreements and grants valued in the multi-millions of dollars. The work of the T&C Bureau is to support these efforts by providing well-researched legal analysis and expert advice to management and staff responsible for administering or overseeing these programs and their related functions.

From partnering with the Research Automation and Data Division on multi-million dollar projects such as Electronic Benefit Transfer which is used to enhance delivery, redemption, and reconciliation of public assistance benefits, like CalFresh and CalWORKs; to advising the Office of Equity on a variety of grant-based programs, or supporting the contracting efforts of the Housing and Homelessness Division in providing a safe space for the unhoused, the attorneys in the T&C Bureau engage with all divisions in the Department and at all levels.

The Bureau is also responsible for administering the Foster Family Home and Small Family Home Insurance Fund (FSH Fund) whose purpose is to provides liability insurance coverage for foster parents related to incidents in providing foster care services.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience as a lead, mentor, manager, or similar position.

Demonstrated leadership skills.

Demonstrated ability to build collaborative working relationships.

Knowledge of techniques to organize and motivate individuals and group.

Ability to manage conflict and sensitive issues.

Ability to use sound judgment.

Knowledge of legal principles and their applications to personnel management and supervision.

Knowledge of the applicable laws and policies for programs and areas represented by the Bureau (e.g. public contract code, State Administrative Manual, State Contracting Manual, grants management, general state contracting principals).

Working Conditions:

This position is eligible for full-time telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. Remote-centered telework employees may be required to report in person to headquarters and offsite events or locations, as determined by management, and will be required to use a shared workspace or “hotel” when working in the office.

Remote-Centered (i.e. teleworking 3 or more days per week) employees are expected to maintain a safe and distraction free work environment at the approved alternate work location. Remote-Centered employees agree to adhere to the state telework policy, the CDSS’ telework policy, and conditions cited in the Telework Agreement. Office-Centered (teleworking 2 or fewer days per week) employees are expected to maintain a dedicated workstation at a CDSS official worksite.

Office-Centered employees work in a climate-controlled office or cubicle under artificial lighting.

This is a re-advertisement for JC #335596. For applicants that previously applied, your application is on file, and do not need to re-apply.


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

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-335596
Position #(s):
800-310-5871-007
Working Title:
Assistant Chief Counsel
Classification:
ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
$13,670.00 - $15,990.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
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 California Department of Social Services (CDSS) serves, aids and protects needy and vulnerable children and adults in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility and foster independence.  CDSS employees are our most important resource in serving California’s needy and vulnerable children and families.  

The Legal Division's Information, Technology and Administrative Litigation Branch is dedicated to providing timely, responsive and accurate legal advice and services in a customer service oriented manner to the divisions within the California Department of Social Services (Department) that are responsible for administering or overseeing various public social services programs and related functions.

Special Requirements

Interested applicants must submit a standard State Application Form (STD 678) and must clearly indicate the basis of hiring eligibility on the STD 678. Applicants must also attach a STATEMENT OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) that addresses each of the Supplemental Questions below and taking into consideration the Desirable Qualifications. The SOQ is a narrative discussion that addresses through the Supplemental Questions how the applicant’s education, training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications for the position. The SOQ will also serve as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing, since this is a critical factor to successful job performance.

Format: Each question must be numbered as provided, started on a separate page, answered in order, and using NO MORE than one page for each question with a maximum of five pages. The SOQ may be no longer than five pages, have standard 1" margins, and in 12-point type. Applications submitted without an SOQ and not in the requested format may not be considered.

Supplemental Questions:

1. Describe your leadership philosophy and previous relevant work experience. How have these prepared you to organize and motivate individuals and groups to efficiently, effectively and timely complete complex legal assignments?

2. Please describe both your interest in and from where that interest derived with respect to management and for one or more of the following areas: procurements; contract and grant development; life cycles of large IT systems; contract and grant audit and compliance.

3. Please describe your work experience and types of professional development that have prepared you for success in building collaborative relationships.

4. Describe your work experience interacting professionally with all levels of management, staff, and the public on a range of legal and administrative matters.

5. Describe a specific example in which you had to resolve a significant conflict with a client, upper management, or a stakeholder. What strategies and tools did you use to achieve the resolution?

This position is subject to fingerprinting clearance by the Department of Justice.

You are required to complete employment history on the application form (STD 678). You may be disqualified from the recruitment 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.

Training and Development assignments may be considered based on the availability of eligible candidates and are subject to approval by the Hiring Authority prior to appointment. Training and Development assignments are considered limited term, 12 months, and may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.

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: 1/17/2023

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list 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
Attn: Classification & Certification Unit
P.O.Box 944243
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
Classification & Certification 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.
  • Statement of Qualifications -

    (SOQ) Please see the Special Requirements section of this job advertisement for detailed instructions for the SOQ submission. Please view the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) YouTube video titled "Basics of Writing a Strong Statement of Qualifications" for instructions on completing an SOQ.  Basics of Writing a Strong Statement of Qualifications

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.

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 of 75% is available to eligible employees, reimbursement is not to exceed $100, and employee must provide proof of transportation pass payment.

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:
Kim Yarbrough
(916) 653-0514
Kimberly.Yarbrough@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.

Examination Information

Those interested in obtaining employment with the California Department of Social Services must apply and compete through the State recruitment process.  Applicants who successfully pass the examination will be placed on an eligibility list used to recruit for positions.

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

If you already have list eligibility for this classification, you do not need to retake the examination, except when your list eligibility expires. For questions regarding the examination process and/or career opportunities with the California Department of Social Services, please contact the Examination Unit at examinations@dss.ca.gov.

Applicant Survey

Please let us know how you learned about this career opportunity by taking the brief survey that follows:  Recruitment Survey

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.

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.