Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Are you ready to pursue a career with meaningful purpose in protecting some of California's most vulnerable populations? Are you ready to work with a dynamic, talented, and passionate team of attorneys, analysts, and legal secretaries from a variety of backgrounds? If you answered yes to these questions and meet the minimum qualifications, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Legal Division, encourages you to apply to be a Senior Legal Analyst.

The California Department of Social Services, Legal Division, is recruiting to fill one permanent, full-time Senior Legal Analyst position in the Legal Division Enforcement Branch, in Monterey Park. The Senior Legal Analyst provides paralegal support to the attorneys in the Legal Division. This critical work supports the Mission to serve, aid, and protect needy and vulnerable children and adults. Duties include: Drafting pleadings on the most complex issues; drafting settlement agreements; analyzing statutory, regulatory and case law; and performing other work associated with trial preparation as needed.

The Senior Legal Analyst may serve in a lead capacity over other paralegals. Must have ability to analyze legal issues accurately and present those issues in writing in an effective manner. Must be able to work cooperatively with attorneys, other paralegals, support staff, licensing staff, and the public. Highly preferred skills in legal technology and advanced Adobe Acrobat features to streamline document workflows, manage complex filings, handle discovery. Some travel is required.

Senior Legal Analyst Minimum Qualifications

Either I

Experience: Two years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of Legal Analyst.

Or II

Four years of progressively responsible paralegal experience performing duties in one or a combination of the following specialty areas: Litigation and trial preparation, administrative law and procedures, criminal law and procedures, corporate and business law, medical malpractice, estate and tax law, environmental and land use law, antitrust, labor and consumer law. (Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year performing the duties of Legal Analyst.)

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.

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

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 

Follow us on  to stay updated on our latest opportunities.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

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 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.

Special Requirements

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

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.

Successful candidate will be subject to a criminal records background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS:

1) Completed State Application Form (STD. 678). Please indicate the basis of employment eligibility on the STD. 678. Include the Job Title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title for Which You Are Applying” section located on Page 1 of the STD 678. Applications received without Job Title listed will not be considered.

2) Applicants MUST also attach a cover letter and a resume. The cover letter should describe the applicant’s interest in the position and any related experience (e.g., education, training, job experience, volunteer/internships) that has prepared him/her for a Senior Legal Analyst position. The cover letter and resume 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 the cover letter and resume will not be considered.

Application packages will be screened, and the most qualified individuals will be invited to interview.

Hiring approvals are subject to state civil service SROA/Surplus policies and procedures.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.
• Other - Cover Letter.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Internship, Work at office, Remote work, Visa sponsorship

Similar Jobs