Closing Date: 2nd May, 2024
Description:
Job Description and Duties:A California State Agency Legal Division is recruiting to fill one permanent, full-time Attorney IV position to support the Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA).
We encourage applications from all individuals – including but not limited to women, people of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants with a wide range of experiences, including individuals with relevant lived experience such as personal experience with the social safety net and/or the child welfare system.
The A California State Agency is a large department charged with administering or supervising counties in their administration of all public social services programs in the state. These programs and services exist to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults. The issues facing A California State Agency and the recipients of public social services are frequently complex, cutting edge, and closely scrutinized by active client advocacy and legal aid organizations, the public, the news media, and various state and federal oversight agencies, and are routinely the subject of state and federal litigation.
The Attorney IV is specifically assigned to provide legal advice and representation to the OTA, which works to improve ICWA compliance statewide as well as government-to-government relationships between the A California State Agency , tribes, counties, federal government, tribal governments, and other stakeholders. The Attorney IV will also help create and facilitate policies, procedures, and programs that serve tribal children and families.
The successful candidate will also advise Department staff on other social services programs available to tribes such as housing, CalWORKS, and food assistance. This requires the Attorney IV to have knowledge, or the ability to acquire such knowledge, of the ICWA, Federal Indian Law, Bureau of Indian Affairs regulations, and other related laws, regulations, and policies. Other related laws include federal and state laws governing child welfare programs such as foster care, adoptions, guardianships, and child welfare services, and social services programs generally especially as they pertain to Indian children and tribes.
The Attorney IV performs the most complicated, politically sensitive, and fiscally significant legal work for the OTA. The selected candidate must have extensive knowledge, or the ability to acquire such knowledge, regarding federal child welfare law and policy, including but not limited to Title IV-E eligibility and the impact of 2011 Realignment on child welfare funding in California. Experience working with advocacy groups, legislative staff, and stakeholder workgroups is essential. The successful candidate must be able to function under pressure in politically sensitive situations, meet strict deadlines, and work collaboratively with clients and colleagues.
The Attorney IV also provides expert advice and counsel to Departmental executive staff, legislative staff, the Office of the Attorney General, the Health and Human Services Agency, and the Governor's Office. The Attorney IV must be able to analyze and draft legislation to implement program changes involving myriad state and federal rules for programs involving large amounts of the state budget. The Attorney IV must have broad litigation or litigation support experience in order to represent the Department in State and Federal class-action litigation. The Attorney IV must know the regulatory process in order to assist program staff in developing and defending regulations implementing Children's programs. The Attorney IV must be able to advise clients of all levels within the Department, meet strict deadlines, and work with the highest degree of autonomy and legal accuracy.
The A California State Agency Legal Division is a large organization, and the atmosphere is highly collegial. The issues are frequently challenging, compelling, and complex, providing significant emotional and intellectual satisfaction.
Desirable Qualifications:
A. Demonstrated ability to successfully perform in-house counsel work including but not limited to preparing legal opinions, analyzing legislation, drafting and reviewing regulations, preparing and reviewing correspondence, and providing litigation support to the Office of the Attorney General;
B. Extensive knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge, of state and federal child welfare law.
C. Understanding of the Administrative Branch of state government, its agencies and departments and the role of state and federal oversight agencies;
D. Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, staff of other state and federal agencies, and client advocacy organizations, while working independently and as part of a team;
E. Willing and able to understand A California State Agency programs and policies in order to provide sound legal advice that is responsive to the organization's needs;
F. Superior analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, superior interpersonal skills, and tact;
G. Superior research skills and work habits and the ability to complete work under deadlines;
H. Willingness and ability to perform duties in a customer service-oriented manner; and;
I. Willing and able to maintain a work environment free from discrimination or sexual harassment.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=23087708&name=LGLDS.pdf)
Special Requirements:
Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.
WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will be accepted from current members of the California State Bar who have current list eligibility for appointment to the Attorney IV level, who have SROA/Surplus eligibility, or who have reinstatement rights to this level. All applications will be screened, and the most qualified individuals will be invited to interview.
Interested applicants must submit:
Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications or Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position.
WHO MAY APPLY: Applications will be accepted from current members of the California State Bar who have current list eligibility for appointment to the Attorney IV level, who have SROA/Surplus eligibility, or who have reinstatement rights to this level. All applications will be screened, and the most qualified individuals will be invited to interview.
Interested applicants must submit:
A standard State Application Form (STD 678) with original signature and must clearly indicate the basis of hiring eligibility on the STD 678.
A SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ), not to exceed four pages, that describes how the applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the job description, duty statement for the position, and DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS identified in this job announcement. The SOQ must also describe the applicant's knowledge of, or ability to acquire knowledge of, state and/or federal child welfare law, a description of the applicant's experience with the ICWA and Indian law, and a discussion of role of the ICWA in the child welfare system in California. The SOQ also serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing, since this is a critical factor to successful job performance. Applications without eligibility information and a SOQ may not be considered.
Hiring is subject to SROA/Super SROA policies and guidelines, and subject to Department of Finance Approval.
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 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.
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 temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.
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.
Hiring is subject to SROA/Super SROA policies and guidelines, and subject to Department of Finance Approval.
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 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.
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 temporary in nature and shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months.
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.
