Legal Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This is a re-post. If you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply as your application is on file and will be considered.
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Legal Division is recruiting to fill one full time, Senior Legal Analyst policy position in its Children's and Community Care Licensing Policy and Litigation (CAL) Branch. This position may be filled at the Legal Analyst level for recruitment purposes. The CAL Branch supports the CDSS Community Care Licensing Division, the Children and Family Services Division, the Office of Tribal Affairs, and the Foster Care Ombudsperson.
The successful candidate will be primarily assigned to assist attorneys in providing legal support for the Community Care Licensing Division, with an emphasis on licensing and water safety, and may also assist attorneys that provide support for Child and Family Services Division, Office of Tribal Affairs, the Foster Care Ombudsperson, and various support divisions.
The CDSS is a large department charged with administering programs that serve, protect, and support the people of California experiencing need in ways that empower wellbeing and disrupt systemic inequities. The legal issues facing licensing and child welfare are frequently complex, politically sensitive, and closely scrutinized by advocacy organizations, the public, the news media, and various state and federal oversight agencies, and are routinely the subject of state and federal litigation.
The Senior Legal Analyst/Legal Analyst works under the direction of an Assistant Chief Counsel and is delegated analytical paralegal duties. The successful candidate will have, or will have the ability to acquire, working knowledge of the laws and procedures pertaining to the Legal Division's role in matters related to the above-mentioned programs. Duties include but are not limited to: Preparing legislation and regulations analyses; monitoring legislation and regulations and making recommendations to attorneys and Legal management to ensure that changes do not adversely impact the goals of the Department; making recommendations on legislative bills; working closely with the Office of Regulations Development and program staff regarding development of regulation packages; identifying and researching legal statutes and case law, and drafting recommendations; researching legal issues related to Public Record Act requests; creating, implementing, and maintaining electronic systems to track the progress of litigation, legislation, and Public Record Act requests; organizing and storing the Branch's work product; and providing lead person training to less experienced staff as needed.
The Senior Legal Analyst/Legal Analyst maintains extensive communication with the Department's attorneys, the Attorney General's office, program field staff and management, and other agencies and departments. A successful Senior Legal Analyst/Legal Analyst candidate is expected to perform independent paralegal and analytical support in difficult and complex areas of law. Selected candidates must have the ability to analyze accurately, write effectively, organize large workloads of legislative, litigation, and regulatory work; and be able to work cooperatively with attorneys, other paralegals, support staff, and the public. Occasional local travel may be required.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Work Location: Sacramento County.
This work location is very convenient! The CDSS is located two blocks from the light rail and public transportation: within walking distance of the State Capitol, parks, restaurants, farmers' markets and the Golden 1 Arena. Our building has easy access to I-5, Highway 50, and Highway 80.
This position is eligible for hybrid work in accordance with the Governor's Executive Order N-22-25 and at the sole discretion of the Department of Social Services under California Government Code Section 14200. All telework schedules are subject to change and may be re-evaluated at any time. The incumbent will be expected to report for in office work and attend work related in-person events as deemed operationally necessary. Telework does not change the terms and conditions of employment, the essential functions of job duties, or required compliance with the CDSS policies. For positions advertised in more than one location, headquarter location may be designated on the selected candidate's primary residence location, and/or the closest CDSS location in accordance with operational need and available space. The successful candidate must reside in California upon appointment.
Please note: Regular commute is not compensable.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST
• LEGAL ANALYST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-508037
Position #(s):
800-310-5333-XXX
Working Title:
Senior Legal Analyst / Legal Analyst
Classification:
SENIOR LEGAL ANALYST $6,330.00 - $7,929.00 A
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Shall Consider:
LEGAL ANALYST
$5,529.00 - $6,922.00 A
# 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.
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 have 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

• 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.
INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS:
1) State Application Form (STD 678). Please indicate the job title on the STD 678.
2) A SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS (SOQ) not to exceed three (3) pages that includes a description of how the applicant meets the DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS identified in this job announcement.
Applications without eligibility information and a SOQ may not be considered.
Application packages will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to interview. Selected candidates will be subject to a criminal record background check clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Hiring approval is subject to state civil service SROA/Surplus policies and procedures. Please see the California Department of Human Resources website at: www.calhr.ca.gov for further information on taking examinations, obtaining list eligibility and minimum qualifications.
Applications will be accepted from candidates with lateral transfer eligibility, persons with exam list eligibility to the Senior Legal Analyst or Legal Analyst classification, and/or from candidates eligible for permissive reinstatement. Selected candidate will be subject to fingerprinting and a criminal record clearance by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Applications will be screened and the most qualified will be invited for an interview.
Fingerprint Criminal Record Clearance required by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
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.
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 the 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.
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: 6/12/2026
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 - 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 ...