Closing Date: 17th September, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:Under the direction of the Chief Counsel, the Deputy Chief Counsel, or the Assistant Chief Counsels, the Attorney represents the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) at forensic and State Personnel Board proceedings and provides legal advice to DSH on issues involving the administration of all DSH facilities.
Performs legal research, provides legal advice to DSH clients, and responds to questions about mental health funding and fiscal controls. Provides responses to the Governor's Office, the Health and Human Services Agency and State control departments. Provides legal advice on various DSH programs regarding but are not limited to, legislation, regulations, DSH policy, and Public Records Act requests. Work involves contract negotiations; drafting and reviewing contracts; and employee immigration law. Provides legal advice on issues involving, but not limited to, patient privacy, employee privacy, intellectual property potential conflicts of interest, Cal OSHA audits, risk management, and data sharing.
Preparation of a high volume of pleadings, as well as preparing expert witnesses for hearings; appearances in court and/or before administrative tribunals regarding Orders to Show Cause regarding admissions of individuals determined to be Incompetent to Stand Trial; writs of habeas corpus; involuntary medication or involuntary treatment of Mentally Disordered Offenders, Sexually Violent Predators, and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity commitments.
*Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey (https://dsh.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9TCuZ0vceU3DEOi)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33219766&name=DutyStatement-Attorney.pdf)
Working Conditions:
Minimum Requirements:
Working Conditions:
- This position reports to the Allenby Building in Sacramento County or the Metropolitan State Hospital located in Norwalk and may be eligible and considered for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies, operational needs, and management approval. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs. The incumbent may also be required to travel throughout California as needed, with prior notice.
- DSH-Sacramento is located at an 11 floor high rise building.
- Specific duties may require travel (25%).
- The State's Commute Programs provide bicycle, mass transit and vanpool incentives to eligible state employees. The State's mass transit incentive pays 100% of the transit pass up to the IRS maximum of $340 per month in 2026.
Minimum Requirements:
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)
Additional Documents
Department Information:
This position may be located at one of the following DSH locations:
The mission of the Department of State Hospitals is to provide evaluation and treatment in a safe and responsible manner, seeking innovation and excellence in hospital operations, across a continuum of care and settings.
Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
DSH-Sacramento is in a new modern, sustainable and innovative 11 story office building located at 1215 “O” Street, Sacramento, California. Some of the amenities of the new building include the following:
Department of State Hospitals - Metropolitan LA
Department of State Hospitals – Metropolitan is in the vibrant community of Norwalk,15 miles east of Los Angeles. To the south are entertainment venues like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, the marinas and beaches of Huntington, Newport and Laguna. To the west are Palos Verdes and Marina Del Rey.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Special Requirements:
Attorney (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5778)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=530295)
- Duty Statement (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=530295)
Department Information:
This position may be located at one of the following DSH locations:
- Metropolitan State Hospital - Los Angeles County
- Sacramento Headquarters (Allenby Building)
The mission of the Department of State Hospitals is to provide evaluation and treatment in a safe and responsible manner, seeking innovation and excellence in hospital operations, across a continuum of care and settings.
Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
- 1215 O Street, MS 17
- Sacramento, CA 95814
DSH-Sacramento is in a new modern, sustainable and innovative 11 story office building located at 1215 “O” Street, Sacramento, California. Some of the amenities of the new building include the following:
- First-floor retail space (separate access from 12th Street)
- Café with multiple vendors available to the public
- Outdoor seating with pedestrian walkways
- Large, shared conference room on the first floor with a maximum capacity of 162 individuals
- An employee fitness center with a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights
- Plaza area with a kitchenette on each floor
- Lactation rooms
- More conference rooms and collaborative working spaces available throughout the building – small, medium and large
- Shared Terrace space on the 10th floor with indoor/outdoor seating and views of the Capitol
- Mobile computer equipment, cloud-based technology and Wi-Fi for all staff
Department of State Hospitals - Metropolitan LA
- 11401 South Bloomfield Avenue
- Norwalk, CA 90650
Department of State Hospitals – Metropolitan is in the vibrant community of Norwalk,15 miles east of Los Angeles. To the south are entertainment venues like Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, the marinas and beaches of Huntington, Newport and Laguna. To the west are Palos Verdes and Marina Del Rey.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov
Special Requirements:
The position(s) require(s) a(n) Licensed with the California State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.
**While US mail applications are still accepted, applying electronically through your CalCareers account is strongly encouraged.***
Note: If applying by mail, please do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 10) with your completed State Application (STD 678). This page is for examination use only.
Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification, resumes and/or Statements of Qualifications do not take the place of the STD 678. You must clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (i.e., list, transfer, SROA/Surplus, reinstatement, etc.), classification title, position number, and job control number in the Examination/Job Title section.
*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. DSH accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the services listed on these webpages:
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: 9/17/2026
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:
Note: If applying by mail, please do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 10) with your completed State Application (STD 678). This page is for examination use only.
Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.
Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification, resumes and/or Statements of Qualifications do not take the place of the STD 678. You must clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (i.e., list, transfer, SROA/Surplus, reinstatement, etc.), classification title, position number, and job control number in the Examination/Job Title section.
*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. DSH accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the services listed on these webpages:
- National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=530295)
- Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. or (https://aice-eval.org/endorsed-members/)
- https://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/commission-approved-foreign-transcript-evaluating-agencies
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: 9/17/2026
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:
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of State Hospitals
Carmen Shean
Attn: Carmen Shean
1215 O Street, MS-17
Sacramento, CA 95814
Carmen Shean
Attn: Carmen Shean
1215 O Street, MS-17
Sacramento, CA 95814
