Job Posting: Assistant Chief Counsel
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
JC-526226
ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
$14,513.00 - $17,742.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Final Filing Date: 8/7/2026
Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job
Save Job
Job Description and Duties
Effective July 1, 2025, The California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each full-time employee shall receive a reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits, monthly. The salary range(s) included in the job advertisement do not reflect the reduction in pay. All Bargaining Unit 2 classifications will receive a 4.62 percent reduction in pay in exchange for 8 hours of PLP 2025 per month.
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation is recruiting for two, Permanent/Full-time Attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel positions within the Enforcement Division. These positions are to be located in the Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego offices. This recruitment may be used to fill subsequent vacancies of these positions within the next 180 days.
Incumbents in this position have responsibility for managing the legal programs of the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the direction of a Deputy Commissioner. This responsibility includes: planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and reviewing the work of professional legal and support personnel serving in both line and staff support capacities; managing a major legal section of a large legal office; acting as legal advisor to senior management of the Department; able to analyze legal principals and apply them to complex legal and administrative issues; formulating and implementing litigation strategies and theories and being able to present them to senior management clearly and logically; representing the Department in difficult and complex litigation matters, and directing legal staff on including but not limited to administrative, civil and criminal hearings; representing the Department before national organizations and coordinating with agencies on multi-state projects; and participating as a member of senior management in the development and implementation of Department policy and programs.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
This job requires reporting on site, however, telework may be available once established.
Sacramento Location: The Sacramento office is in the new state-of-the-art May Lee State Office Complex in Sacramento's River District, conveniently located next to Light Rail. On site parking available for a fee.
San Francisco Location: The San Francisco office is located in the heart of the financial district within walking distance to BART and restaurants. Parking available for a fee.
Los Angeles Location: The Los Angeles office is located in the heart of the downtown financial district within walking distance to restaurants, transit, and multiple parking options available for a fee.
San Diego Location: The San Diego office is located in the heart of Mission Valley, within walking distance to many shops and restaurants. Parking options available for a fee.
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the US without the need for a visa sponsorship or a training plan, now or in the future.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Additional Documents
Position Details
Job Code #:
JC-526226
Position #(s):
410-140-5871-101
410-140-5871-201
Working Title:
Assistant Chief Counsel
Classification:
ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL
$14,513.00 - $17,742.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) protects consumers and oversees financial service providers and products. The DFPI supervises the operations of state-licensed financial institutions, including banks, credit unions and money transmitters. Additionally, the DFPI licenses and regulates a variety of financial service providers, including securities brokers and dealers, investment advisers, payday lenders and other consumer finance lenders. The DFPI offers benefit packages, competitive salary, a robust training program and opportunities for advancement.
Department Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/
Special Requirements
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
This position is subject to Title 10, § 250.30 of the California Code of Regulations, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's Conflict of Interest Regulations, the incumbent is required to submit a Statements of Economic Interests (Form 700) within 30 days of assuming office, annually by April 1st and within 30 days of leaving office.
Additional Filing Instructions:
Do not provide any personal identifying information on the documents (Social Security Number, Date of Birth, etc.) you submit with your application. Additionally, do not complete or submit the Equal Employment Opportunity, page 10 of the Std. 678 with your application page. The EEO page is for examination use only. Furthermore, do not provide any LEAP information with your application package.
Please see the attached Class Specification. All applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications (MQ's) for the classification they are applying for. Possession of MQ's will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. Interested applicants using education to meet MQ's must include a copy of their unofficial transcripts showing completion of required coursework. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment.
Foreign Degrees must provide Degree Evaluation to verify U.S. equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at: Evaluation of Foreign Degrees - United States Department of State.
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: 8/7/2026
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 Financial Protection and Innovation
N/A
Attn: Phoebe Plumley
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
N/A
Phoebe Plumley
Human Resources Office
651 Bannon St Suite 300
Sacramento, CA 95811
SE Tower
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:
A Supplemental Questionnaire is REQUIRED for this position. Application packages received without a Supplemental Questionnaire may not be considered. Please refer to the "Supplemental Questionnaire" section below for specific requirements. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other documents do not take the place of this requirement.
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 and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
1) Ability to plan, organize, direct, coordinate and reviewing the work of attorneys and paralegals.
2) Ability to act as legal advisor to senior management of the Department.
3) Ability to analyze legal principals and apply them to complex legal and administrative issues, formulating and implementing litigation strategies and theories and being able to present them to senior management clearly and logically.
Benefits
State employees may be eligible for health, dental, vision and leave benefits, as well as retirement programs and other benefits. Benefit eligibility may depend on length of service and may be subject to collective bargaining agreements, which are contracts negotiated between the State of California and employee organizations that define employees' wages, hours and conditions of employment. Other possible benefits include:
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://dfpi.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Phoebe Plumley
(916) 210-9363
phoebe.plumley@dfpi.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:
Angelina Endsley
(916) 576-4938
eeo@dfpi.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.
SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE INSTRUCTIONS
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must submit a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ). The SQ must be no more than two page(s) in length, single-spaced, using Arial 12-point font and must have the applicant's first and last name and Supplemental Questionnaire in the upper left corner.
Applications received without a Supplemental Questionnaire (SQ) will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, and/or other documents do not take place of the SQ.
Please respond to the following questions:
Describe a significant enforcement matter in which you analyzed novel or complex legal issues and recommended a course of action. Explain the facts, the legal challenges you identified, the strategy you recommended, and the outcome (e.g., restitution, penalties, injunctive relief, receiverships, TROs, license actions). What specific contributions did you make that drove the result?
Describe your experience supervising or leading attorneys or legal professionals in enforcement or litigation matters. Include how you assign work, provide guidance, ensure quality, manage deadlines, and support professional development. Provide one or two concrete examples that demonstrate your leadership approach.
Describe your experience advising executive or upper-level management on high-stakes legal or enforcement issues. Explain the context, the nature of your advice, how you communicated risk and options, and how your guidance influenced decision-making or organizational outcomes.
Examination & Candidate Resources:
Examination: Candidates applying with List Eligibility must successfully pass the examination for this classification.
Please read the Minimum Qualifications section of the Classification Specifications AND the Exam Bulletin carefully to ensure you are currently eligible to take this examination before taking it. Candidates taking the exam prior to being eligible may be disqualified.
Link to Exam Bulletin and Exam:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1587
Candidate Resources/Tools:
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.