State of California

Enforcement Attorney

State of California$130K — $183K *
Legal & Accounting
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Minimum of 5 years of legal experience, preferably in administrative law or public service.
  • Strong background in community care licensing laws and regulations.
  • Proven track record of representing clients in administrative tribunals.
  • Expertise in evidentiary rules and trial-related theory.
  • Excellent analytical and communication skills.
  • Self-motivated and team-oriented with strong interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

  • Provide expert legal advice to the Community Care Licensing Division.
  • Represent the Department in administrative hearings statewide.
  • Conduct legal research and develop evidence for complex cases.
  • Litigate cases involving license revocations and denials.
  • Work collaboratively with law enforcement, medical experts, and stakeholders.
  • Facilitate negotiations and settlements where appropriate.
  • Prosecute cases related to child maltreatment and elder abuse.

Benefits

  • Medical coverage through California state healthcare plans.
  • CalPERS pension benefits upon retirement.
  • Two weeks paid vacation annually.
  • Two weeks paid sick leave per year.
  • Paid professional development days and personal holidays.
  • 100% reimbursement for public transit passes and vanpool fees.
Full Job Description
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Legal Division is recruiting to fill one permanent full-time Attorney III position in its Community Care Licensing (CCL) Enforcement Branch.

The office location for this position is in Monterey Park.

Except when required to report to the office, this position allows for telework at an alternative work location. An alternative work location would be the employee's residence. For travel purposes, reimbursement would be based on the office location.

As one of the most experienced attorneys, the Attorney III is an expert in the most complex and sensitive legal work related to laws, regulations, and policies pertaining to Programs administered by the Department. This includes providing advice to the Community Care Licensing Division and applicable county clients, and regularly appearing before administrative tribunals throughout the state representing the interests of those receiving care or residing in community care facilities or children's residential program such as resource family homes, short-term residential therapeutic programs, child care centers, family child care homes, residential facilities for the elderly and adult residential facilities. The Attorney III serves a critical role in enforcing the statutes and regulations of the Licensing Division and prosecuting cases that jeopardize the health and safety of children, the elderly and dependent adults in licensed or approved facilities.

The Attorney III develops evidence, strategies and tactics to litigate a wide range of cases that may involve license revocations, license application denials, and employee and licensee exclusion actions. The Attorney III works with licensing clients, witnesses and victims, medical staff, qualified experts, investigators, criminal prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, and others to effectively prosecute complex and sophisticated cases including child maltreatment and elder abuse. As such, Attorney III must possess expertise in the application of evidentiary rules, hearsay exception statutes, and other trial-related theory. Attorney III must also be adept at facilitating settlements and negotiating stipulations where appropriate. The Legal Division's offices provide a dynamic and collegial environment in which its attorneys enjoy the satisfaction of public service and the rewards of conducting important work. Its attorneys should be self-motivated, possess strong interpersonal communication skills and demonstrate excellent analytical abilities. Travel may be required for hearings and to meet with clients and/or witnesses as needed.

If you would like to share how you learned about this career opportunity, please take a moment to complete our brief Recruitment Survey.

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

Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on our latest opportunities.

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

Working Conditions
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.
  • ATTORNEY III
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-525909

Position #(s):
800-310-5795-133

Working Title:
Enforcement Attorney

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:
1

Work Location:
Los Angeles County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
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 in 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.

In addition to the STD. 678 job application, applicants must also attach a SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ). The SOQ is a narrative discussion of how the applicant's education, training, experience, and skills meet the job description and duty statement for the position and shall not exceed two pages (12-point type). 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. Application packages received without an SOQ will not be considered. A resume and cover letter are encouraged, but are not required, and will not take the place of the SOQ.

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

This position is designated under the Conflict-of-Interest Code.

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 inaccurate or incomplete. 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: 8/13/2026
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.

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.
o 100 percent discount on public transit passes sold by state agencies, up to the monthly exclusion amount provided by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
o 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
o 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:
Sonia Singh
(916) 956-8674
[email protected]

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
[email protected]
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

About State of California

The State of California is a government entity responsible for providing a variety of services to its residents, including education, healthcare, and public safety. The state was admitted to the Union in 1850 and has since grown to become the most populous state in the United States. California is known for its diverse geography, including beaches, mountains, and deserts. The state government is committed to promoting economic growth and improving the quality of life for all Californians.
Learn more about State of California
Size
150 employees
Industry
NASDAQ

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at State of California

More Legal & Accounting Jobs

Find similar Enforcement Attorney jobs: