Closing Date: 9th October, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
Under the general direction of the Chief Counsel, the Deputy Chief Counsel, the Assistant Chief Counsel or Attorney Supervisor(s), the Attorney III provides senior-level legal support and counsel to the Director, Executive Staff, and the various program and operational divisions of the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) on complex and sensitive legal issues related to the administration of DSH facilities and operations.

Performs legal research and provides sound legal advice to DSH clients on broad and specialized areas of law affecting difficult or sensitive programs relating to Government & Hospital Operations. Responds to questions about mental health funding and fiscal controls. Advises on policy and best practices in subject areas such as employment, contracts, law enforcement, regulations, facilities projects, and conflicts of interest.

Drafts and reviews contracts and provides assistance with contract negotiations, represents the Department in employment litigation before the State Personnel Board, California Department of Human Resources, Department of Industrial Relations and other administrative bodies. Consults on issues involving, but not limited to employee discipline and privacy, property rights, patient cost of care, regulations, legislation, landlord tenant issues, intellectual property, potential conflicts of interest, CalOSHA audits, risk management, data sharing, and departmental contracts, including registry and services contracts. Reviews and represent DSH in proceedings before and investigations conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and California Civil Rights Department on complaints filed with those entities.

Drafts memoranda, provides legal advice and recommendations to DSH clients, responds to questions from DSH clients and stakeholders, prepares and presents training and education to DSH Legal staff and DSH program or hospital staff.

Provides written and oral responses to inquiries from the Governor's Office, the Health and Human Services Agency, and State control departments. Interacts with DSH staff, county or state stakeholders, as well as opposing counsel, representatives who have a high level of expertise or specialization, judges.

*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=33563111&name=DutyStatement-AttorneyIII.pdf)

Working Conditions:

This position reports to the Allenby Building in Sacramento County or 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.
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.
Up to 25% travel may be required.
DSH-Sacramento is located at an 11 floor high rise building.

Minimum Requirements:

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
Attorney III (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5795)

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=533514)
Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33563111&name=DutyStatement-AttorneyIII.pdf)

Department Information:
This position may be located at one of the following DSH locations:

Metropolitan State Hospital - Los Angeles County
Sacramento Headquarters (Allenby Building) - Sacramento County

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) 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:

National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (https://www.naces.org/members)
Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (https://aice-eval.org/endorsed-members/) or
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: 10/9/2026

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