ATTORNEY III

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS?

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in public service? Are you passionate about litigation and eager for the opportunity to handle your own health care caseload from start to finish? If so, the Department of Health care Services (DHCS) is the place for you!

DHCS is the backbone of California's health care safety net. With more than 4,800 dedicated team members, we work in partnership with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners to support low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. Our mission directly touches the lives of millions of Californians, and we invite you to be a part of it.

About this Role:

DHCS is recruiting for a permanent, full-time Attorney III position in the Office of Legal Services (OLS), Program Integrity and Compliance Branch (PICB). This is a dynamic litigation position where you’ll have the opportunity to handle your own caseload, prepare witnesses, review and assess evidence (including cost reports and medical records), and represent DHCS in hearings before the Office of Administrative Hearings and Appeals (OAHA) and the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). PICB attorneys handle a wide range of litigation matters including hospital and nursing facility audits, provider appeals, substance use disorder license actions, and managed care appeals. PICB attorneys also work with the Attorney General’s Office in writ petitions and other state and federal court actions.

Under the direction of the Assistant Chief Counsel, the Attorney III will have the opportunity to handle a broad spectrum of administrative litigation matters and work on complex and evolving legal issues in a collaborative and supportive team committed to protecting the integrity of California’s health care programs. Experience in health care law and/or administrative litigation is helpful but not required. Duties are pending Department HRD review and are subject to change.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact  View email address on calcareers.ca.gov , we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!

This position is subject to the Department's Conflict of Interest Code and filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) when assuming office, annually while in office, and upon leaving office .

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

Applicants must have an active membership in the California State Bar.

Simple Application Steps

If you are interested in this position, complete the following simple steps: 

1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the  Attorney III . See the Minimum Requirements section above. 

1. Complete the state application by clicking “Apply?Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions. 

1. Submit your application package with all required documents - see the "Required Application Package Documents"?section below. 

1. Once you have applied, take the  Attorney III Examination .

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: 7/31/2026

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 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 Health Care Services

Mailing

Attn: Certification Technician JC-503724

M.S. 1300

P.O. Box 997411

Sacramento , CA 95899-7411

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Health Care Services

Drop-Off

Certification Section JC-503724

1501 Capitol Avenue, Suite 71.1501

Sacramento , CA 95814

Monday – Friday (excluding holidays)

08:00 AM - 04:00 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 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 is required and must be included. Applicants who do not include the required Cover Letter may not be considered.

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.

Benefits

DHCS is dedicated to creating an innovative workplace for its team members that is inclusive, diverse, and interactive! Here are a few of the ways we stay engaged with our team: 

• Continuous and ongoing training 

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion program activities 

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

Additionally, as a team member of the State of California, you may be eligible for many benefits, such as: 

• Medical, including health, dental, and vision insurance 

• Paid Holidays and vacation/leave 

• Defined retirement program 

• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457) 

• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts 

Full benefits information can be found on CalHR's  California State Civil Service Employee Benefits Summary

provides more information about our commitment to serving Californians and organizational excellence. 

We need your help! Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief optional survey:  SurveyMonkey link . This survey is not required to be considered for this position. 

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Ke'Erah Osby
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.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:
EEO Officer
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

California Relay Service: View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (TTY), View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Telework and Salary Information

Telework:  Currently, the DHCS standard for hybrid work is a minimum of two days per week in-person and site-based and up to three teleworking days per week in accordance with DHCS’ Telework Program and Government Code sections 14200 – 14203. Telework is available to California residents, and proof of residency may be required. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and is subject to change. 

Beginning July 1, 2026, pursuant to Executive Order N-22-25 issued March 3, 2025, and California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) Statewide Guidance issued March 13, 2025, DHCS team members generally will be required to report in-person a minimum of four days per week unless exempted/excepted. 

Business travel may be required, and reimbursement considers an employee’s designated office and residence subject to regulations and bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

The DHCS office location for this position may be located in Sacramento, San Francisco, Orange (Santa Ana), San Bernardino (Rancho Cucamonga), San Diego and Los Angeles.

For a list of possible DHCS office assignment locations, please reference the reporting location document attached to the duty statement on this job advertisement. 

Salary: 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. Please reach out to the hiring unit contact listed on this job advertisement for details.