Attorney III

Job Description and Duties

The Office of Enforcement at the Department of Managed Health Care handles the litigation needs of the DMHC, representing the DMHC in actions to enforce managed health care laws. A successful candidate will be responsible for performing sensitive and complex litigation work related to health care service plans pursuant to the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, (Health and Safety Code section 1340, et seq.) and its implementing regulations (California Code of Regulations, title 28, division 1, chapter 1 (sections 1300.41-1300.826)).

The Attorney III classification is distinguished from the Attorney classification by the expertise and experience required to perform the duties of an Attorney III. The incumbent will be involved in investigating, prosecuting, and defending civil and administrative cases at the trial and appellate levels involving matters of the highest degree of difficulty and sensitivity.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THIS POSITION INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING (other duties may be assigned):

Assignments typically consist of: conducting investigation and representing the DMHC at administrative and court hearings; conducting legal research and providing legal advice and opinions to DMHC management and executive; responding to difficult legal correspondence; and developing strategy and tactics in the most complex disputes and litigation. The Attorney III interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities, provides advice or opinions to Departmental management on legal issues arising out investigations, and may appear in all California courts.

The Attorney III should be able to: provide policy analysis of proposed legislation; conduct negotiations, prepare cases, opinions, briefs, and other legal documents, such as memoranda and reports; prepare discovery documents; prepare cases which may result in litigation before administrative law judges and civil trial or appellate courts; assemble and evaluate evidence; and take sworn statements.

The Attorney III is required to take substantial initiative, exercise a considerable amount of discretion, display superior work habits (e.g., organizational skills, accountability, timely completion of assignments), work independently, and produce the highest quantity and quality of legal work. The Attorney III serves as lead counsel with less experienced staff in litigation.

The Attorney III will be assigned increasingly difficult work, and need less direct supervision, as experience is gained in the respective classification at the Office of Enforcement. The following core essential functions of the Attorney series do not vary with experience:

• Maintain normal and consistent work hours, averaging 40 hours per week. (Proportionately less for part time positions.) When necessary, work in excess of 40 hours per week is expected to complete assignments in a timely manner.

• Routinely exercise independent, professional judgment, and accept supervision as directed or ordered.

• Travel to all parts of the State and the United States as required. Travel may involve one or more overnight stays, as required.

• Communicate effectively in writing and orally in person, through the use of documents and electronic devices.

• Handle multiple tasks, significant caseload, and effectively prioritize work.

• Perform research and analysis and apply legal principles, facts, and precedents to legal problems.

Please let us know how you heard about this position by taking a brief survey: .

Leave Program (PLP) 2025 agreement:

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The DMHC has locations in Downtown Sacramento and Rancho Cordova. Both locations are located close to light-rail with various amenities. The incumbent will work in a climate-controlled cubicle and/or office environment with artificial lighting.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework. The telework schedule is permitted at the operational needs of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with the State Telework Policy and the DMHC’s Telework Policy. All employees who telework are required to be California residents and maintain California residency in accordance with Government Code 14200.

Special Requirements

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

All applicants not currently employed by the DMHC will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The investigation will consist of fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records.

Any documents you submit for a job vacancy such as your State application, resume, cover letter, educational transcripts, etc. SHOULD NOT include ANY confidential information. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents include, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthday, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment .  If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts.  Unofficial transcripts may be accepted during the application process; however, submission of official transcripts may be required prior to appointment.

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:

• Demonstrated ability to successfully perform high-level legal work in a governmental setting, including but not limited to preparing legal opinions, analyzing legislation, preparing and reviewing correspondence, conducting discovery, and engaging in successful administrative and civil litigation.

• Understanding of the Executive Branch of state government, its agencies and departments and the role of state and federal oversight agencies;

• Demonstrated ability to maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, program staff and management, and staff of other state and federal agencies, while working independently and as part of a team;

• Willingness and ability to understand the Department programs and policies in order to provide sound legal advice that is responsive to the organization’s needs;

• Superior analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, superior interpersonal skills, and tact;

• Superior research skills and work habits and the ability to complete work under deadlines, including the demonstrated ability to manage a large caseload;

• Willingness and ability to maintain a work environment free from discrimination or sexual harassment.

Benefits

For information on benefits, please visit the Benefit Summary page on the CalHR website .

Additional Application Instructions

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it may be used to fill additional identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

To be considered for this vacancy, please complete all applicable fields on the application form, including a list or description of previous/current occupational experience in the duties performed section.

Electronic applications through your CalCareer account are highly recommended.

Do NOT include your social security number on any submitted documents. If submitting your application via postal mail or in person, please notate RPA: 24-261 and Job Control: JC-525622 on your application.

All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to clearly demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position on your State Application (STD Form 678). The application should also clearly demonstrate the candidate’s ability to meet the Desirable Qualifications identified in this job advertisement. The Classification Specification for Attorney III is located at the top of this Job Announcement Posting under Minimum Requirements.

Foreign Degrees or Transcripts – Applicants with foreign degrees or transcripts who wish to apply that coursework toward meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which his/her foreign coursework is equivalent. DMHC accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the agencies approved by the .

PLEASE NOTE: If you are mailing your application, it must be postmarked by the final filing date. Hand delivered applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Applications slipped under the door at the Human Resources Office will be time stamped the following business day.

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.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a narrative discussion of how your education, experience, skill, interests, and training meet the minimum and desirable qualifications to qualify you for the position. It also serves as documentation of your ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Your Statement should be typed (Arial 12 pt. font) and be no more than two pages in length. It may be single or double spaced.

  Your Statement of Qualifications must address the following: 

  a. How your legal experience has prepared you for the position of Attorney III with the Office of Enforcement.

  b. Why you are interested in healthcare law.

  SOQ must be submitted. Applications submitted without the SOQ will not be evaluated and/or considered.