County of Orange
CHIEF ATTORNEY (Senior Deputy Attorney)
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list, which will be used to fill current and future Senior Deputy Attorney vacancies within the Department of Child Support Services (CSS). The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
This recruitment will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).
CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES (CSS) Child Support Services (CSS) is an award‑winning, forward‑thinking agency of approximately 325 professionals, dedicated to helping parents financially support their children. The core mission is to assist parents in establishing paternity, establishing financial and medical child support orders, and facilitating the payment of that support through various means, including court action. Under the direction of the Department Director, CSS delivers human services to the community based on a balanced approach emphasizing customers, staff, business efficiencies, and performance. CSS also works in close partnership with the Orange County Superior Court, the California Department of Child Support Services, and other local child support agencies throughout California.
THE OPPORTUNITY The County of Orange, Department of Child Support Services has a rewarding opportunity for a proactive, results‑oriented leader to oversee the Attorney Team and provide legal analyses, opinions and recommendations regarding child support laws, regulations and policies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Advise Director on all legal matters pertaining to child support, including legislative matters
Provide consultation and advice on questions of law and procedure
Manage personnel matters including hiring, employee development, and disciplinary actions
Act as department liaison concerning legal matters with courts, Family Law Facilitator, Private Bar Association, LCSAs, State DCSS and other County agencies and partners
Develop, evaluate, and implement department goals, objectives, policies and procedures; develop program evaluation, and assure departmental activities are in compliance with laws, policies, regulations, and goals
Manage, delegate, and direct the work of the attorneys and support staff, establish work standards and procedures
Perform or direct legal research and prepare legal opinions
Confer with State DCSS, the Courts, the Private Bar Association, legal organizations, the public and other stakeholders, as appropriate and assigned
Participate in meetings, seminars, conferences, and prepare presentations and reports for internal and external audiences
Monitor and systemize regulations, statutes, and case law regarding child support and disseminate information
Other related duties as required
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will possess at least four (4) years of experience as an attorney in the child support program or related family law field with knowledge in child support laws, regulations, policies, and operations, or at least six (6) months of experience as a Deputy Attorney IV with the County of Orange.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Possess a breadth and depth of knowledge of child support laws, regulations, policies and business practices on a federal, state, and local level
Experience in child support program engagement, negotiation, establishment and enforcement is highly desirable
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Guide and direct others toward meeting departmental objectives
Demonstrated ability to collaborate
Model behavior that demonstrates strong work ethic and high level of personal integrity and trustworthiness
Serve as a key and active participant in meetings and trainings
Actively seek opportunities to serve the department and colleagues
Coach and empower staff toward professional development
PROBLEM SOLVING | ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Review and analyze studies, data, cases, laws, and reports
Identify issues and develop reports to present to the court and Executive Management
Proactively detect problems, weigh risks, balance needs and agency goals, develop solutions and make recommendations
Utilize data to make informed and responsible decisions
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Demonstrated ability to compose complex written communications
Demonstrated ability to communicate well with staff, colleagues, peers, other teams, units, Executive Management, court partners, State DCSS, Private Bar Association, legal partners, and other County agencies
Ensure customer service and satisfaction; respond timely to inquiries using effective verbal and written skills
Display proficiency in handling difficult conversations with all levels of staff
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Minimum qualifications for the Senior Deputy Attorney classification include the federal, state, and environmental requirements applicable to the position.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS Active membership in the State Bar of California is required. Members in good standing of the California State Bar who have been assigned a license number but are currently inactive are welcome to apply. An active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
BACKGROUND CHECK All candidates considered for the position will be required to successfully pass a background check to the satisfaction of the County. The background check may include professional references, criminal check, credit check, education verification, and other relevant verifications.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
APPLICATION SCREENING Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications exhibiting qualifications as listed will be referred to the next step.
APPLICATION APPRAISAL PANEL (AAP) | APPLICATION REVIEW An Appraisal Panel of job knowledge experts will thoroughly screen and evaluate the application, supplemental questionnaire, and resumes for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above.
ELIGIBLE LIST Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE POLICY The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses. Eligible veterans and spouses will have the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account. User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and accept emails ending with “governmentjobs.com” and “ocgov.com.” If your email address should change, please update your profile at the GovernmentJobs.com site.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS For additional Frequently Asked Questions, contact Brandy Soria at (714) 245‑4580 or Brandy.Soria@ssa.ocgov.com.
EEO STATEMENT Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
This recruitment will establish an open eligible list, which will be used to fill current and future Senior Deputy Attorney vacancies within the Department of Child Support Services (CSS). The eligible list established may also be used to fill similar and lower-level classifications throughout the County of Orange.
This recruitment will remain open for a minimum of five (5) business days. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the deadline to apply is Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (PST).
CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES (CSS) Child Support Services (CSS) is an award‑winning, forward‑thinking agency of approximately 325 professionals, dedicated to helping parents financially support their children. The core mission is to assist parents in establishing paternity, establishing financial and medical child support orders, and facilitating the payment of that support through various means, including court action. Under the direction of the Department Director, CSS delivers human services to the community based on a balanced approach emphasizing customers, staff, business efficiencies, and performance. CSS also works in close partnership with the Orange County Superior Court, the California Department of Child Support Services, and other local child support agencies throughout California.
THE OPPORTUNITY The County of Orange, Department of Child Support Services has a rewarding opportunity for a proactive, results‑oriented leader to oversee the Attorney Team and provide legal analyses, opinions and recommendations regarding child support laws, regulations and policies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Advise Director on all legal matters pertaining to child support, including legislative matters
Provide consultation and advice on questions of law and procedure
Manage personnel matters including hiring, employee development, and disciplinary actions
Act as department liaison concerning legal matters with courts, Family Law Facilitator, Private Bar Association, LCSAs, State DCSS and other County agencies and partners
Develop, evaluate, and implement department goals, objectives, policies and procedures; develop program evaluation, and assure departmental activities are in compliance with laws, policies, regulations, and goals
Manage, delegate, and direct the work of the attorneys and support staff, establish work standards and procedures
Perform or direct legal research and prepare legal opinions
Confer with State DCSS, the Courts, the Private Bar Association, legal organizations, the public and other stakeholders, as appropriate and assigned
Participate in meetings, seminars, conferences, and prepare presentations and reports for internal and external audiences
Monitor and systemize regulations, statutes, and case law regarding child support and disseminate information
Other related duties as required
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES The ideal candidate will possess at least four (4) years of experience as an attorney in the child support program or related family law field with knowledge in child support laws, regulations, policies, and operations, or at least six (6) months of experience as a Deputy Attorney IV with the County of Orange.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE
Possess a breadth and depth of knowledge of child support laws, regulations, policies and business practices on a federal, state, and local level
Experience in child support program engagement, negotiation, establishment and enforcement is highly desirable
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
Guide and direct others toward meeting departmental objectives
Demonstrated ability to collaborate
Model behavior that demonstrates strong work ethic and high level of personal integrity and trustworthiness
Serve as a key and active participant in meetings and trainings
Actively seek opportunities to serve the department and colleagues
Coach and empower staff toward professional development
PROBLEM SOLVING | ANALYTICAL SKILLS
Review and analyze studies, data, cases, laws, and reports
Identify issues and develop reports to present to the court and Executive Management
Proactively detect problems, weigh risks, balance needs and agency goals, develop solutions and make recommendations
Utilize data to make informed and responsible decisions
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Demonstrated ability to compose complex written communications
Demonstrated ability to communicate well with staff, colleagues, peers, other teams, units, Executive Management, court partners, State DCSS, Private Bar Association, legal partners, and other County agencies
Ensure customer service and satisfaction; respond timely to inquiries using effective verbal and written skills
Display proficiency in handling difficult conversations with all levels of staff
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Minimum qualifications for the Senior Deputy Attorney classification include the federal, state, and environmental requirements applicable to the position.
SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS Active membership in the State Bar of California is required. Members in good standing of the California State Bar who have been assigned a license number but are currently inactive are welcome to apply. An active California State Bar membership and eligibility to practice law in California must be attained by date of appointment and maintained throughout employment.
BACKGROUND CHECK All candidates considered for the position will be required to successfully pass a background check to the satisfaction of the County. The background check may include professional references, criminal check, credit check, education verification, and other relevant verifications.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum qualifications. Qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.
APPLICATION SCREENING Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those applications exhibiting qualifications as listed will be referred to the next step.
APPLICATION APPRAISAL PANEL (AAP) | APPLICATION REVIEW An Appraisal Panel of job knowledge experts will thoroughly screen and evaluate the application, supplemental questionnaire, and resumes for job knowledge, competencies, and related experience described above.
ELIGIBLE LIST Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.
Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedure.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT PREFERENCE POLICY The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses. Eligible veterans and spouses will have the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings.
EMAIL NOTIFICATION Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email account. User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person.
Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and accept emails ending with “governmentjobs.com” and “ocgov.com.” If your email address should change, please update your profile at the GovernmentJobs.com site.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS For additional Frequently Asked Questions, contact Brandy Soria at (714) 245‑4580 or Brandy.Soria@ssa.ocgov.com.
EEO STATEMENT Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr