Closing Date: 16th 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 various program and operational divisions of the Department of State Hospitals (DSH) on complex and sensitive legal issues related to privacy, litigation, and document and data production.
Monitors litigation pending against the Department in which representation is being provided by the Office of the Attorney General. Assists the assigned Deputy Attorney General (DAG) in development of and review of draft pleadings, motions, and discovery responses. Assists in the identification of relevant witnesses and documents. Assists in the preparation of witnesses for testimony and ensures records are properly redacted prior to production of documents. Provides education and awareness to DAG on hospital operations and data de-identification and privacy requirements. Participates in case evaluations, mediations and settlement conferences in litigated matters.
Advises on Department information, data and document production. Performs legal research, drafts memoranda, provides advice and recommendations, interfaces and advises on subpoenas, and Public Record Act and Information Practices Act requests. Assists with development of responses to requests for records submitted pursuant to the Public Records Act and the Information Practices Act, or via criminal, civil or administrative subpoenas. Ensures information and records are properly redacted prior to release.
Conducts research and legal analysis on privacy incidents and questions pertaining to DSH's privacy obligations pursuant to its status as a Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) covered entity. Researches questions and incidents pertaining to HIPAA, the privacy provisions of the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act; the Information Practices Act, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act; the Statewide Health Information Policy Manual, the State Administrative Manual Chapter 5300, and related privacy policies and statutes. Interfaces and advises Human Resources and Risk Management regarding patient and employee privacy
Provide education and awareness to stakeholders, Department clients, and the public regarding the Department's data deidentification and privacy requirements as it relates to record production and data sharing.
Maintains updated knowledge on legal issues, case law, and legislative changes that impact DSH. Performs legal research, 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 about all of the above.
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, as well as opposing counsel, representatives who have a high level of expertise or specialization, judges, and other county or state stakeholders.
*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=33563946&name=DutyStatement-AttorneyIII.pdf)
Working Conditions:
Minimum Requirements:
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
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 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=533521)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33563946&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:
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: 10/16/
**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.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=33563946&name=DutyStatement-AttorneyIII.pdf)
- 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: 10/16/
