Closing Date: 12th February, 2026

Description:

Job Description and Duties:
Are you interested in fighting Medicaid fraud committed by hospitals, pharmaceuticals, pharmacies, nursing facilities, medical equipment providers, and other healthcare providers and recover millions of taxpayers' dollars?

The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA), the Department of Justice's fastest growing Division, is seeking a Deputy Attorney General (DAG) in DMFEA's Civil Section. The DAG investigates and litigates matters in state and federal courts nationwide involving fraud committed by medical providers at the expense of California's Medicaid program, Medi-Cal, including violations of the state False Claims Act (FCA).

Duties include:

independently develop strategic case plans;
manage and shepherd investigations;
handle informal and formal document-intensive and data-driven discovery;
identify, interview, and evaluate witnesses;
perform legal research in the areas of health care fraud and False Claims Act law;
guide paralegals and investigative auditors;
analyze claims data and develop damage models;
communicate effectively orally and in writing; and
coordinate enforcement efforts with multidisciplinary teams involving personnel from other state agencies, states' Attorneys General's offices, U.S. Attorney's Offices, and other federal offices in joint investigations and actions.

Experience in and/or knowledge of the Medi-Cal Program, the health care and pharmaceutical industries, health care fraud, managed care, and FCA litigation is helpful but not required. A successful applicant will have a demonstrated ability to perform assignments consisting of the more complex and sensitive legal work of the Office of the Attorney General. While the DAG will handle their own caseload, they will be a member of a small team of attorneys, paralegals and secretaries and would interact with their team regularly, and may act as the lead attorney in certain matters.

Unless case work, operational needs, or other circumstances require, the current work posture involves 1-2 set days a week in the office, with the remaining 3-4 days done via telework. The office is located in Sacramento, off Garden Highway, and offers ample free parking.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions:
This is a hybrid position under current DOJ telework policy, that is subject to modification. The position provides the opportunity to work remotely or in-office most days, but at least one day per week (or more) of in-office attendance is required. Travel and additional in-person attendance is required for court appearances, meetings or other operational needs.

Minimum Requirements:

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Deputy Attorney General III (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5706)
Deputy Attorney General (https://hrnet.calhr.ca.gov/CalHRNet/SpecCrossReference.aspx?ClassID=5730)

Additional Documents

Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=504473)
Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=30657949&name=CIVILDAGIII-DAG.pdf)

Department Information:

This position is located in the Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, Civil Section-Sacramento.
The Deputy Attorney General classifications qualify for a “Hire Above Minimum" (HAM) salary (Hiring Above Minimum Policy). (https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/1707#:~:text=Per%20Section%205%2C%20employees%20who,@calhr.ca.gov.)
The starting salary for each classification will be:

Deputy Attorney General Range A (0-24 months): $8,846 and Range B (2-5 years): $9,956
Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046

New to State candidates in the DAG series will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classifications.
Please disregard the SROA/Surplus language below, as the Department of Justice requires applicants to submit their SROA/Surplus Letter if that is the basis of their eligibility.
For more information about the department, please visit the Attorney General's website at www.oag.ca.gov.
If you'd like to speak with a recruiter prior to submitting your application, please email Recruiters@doj.ca.gov.
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary wage reductions in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) accruals. The specific rate and hours earned were negotiated and agreed upon by each bargaining unit. The actual monetary impact of these temporary reductions can vary based on your bargaining unit and/or federal and state tax withholdings. For additional information please visit Human Resources Manual - CalHR. (https://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113)

Special Requirements:

A fingerprint check will be required.
Deputies must be active members of the California State Bar.
If you submit your application by mail, please contact the HR consultants to confirm it has been received.
Clearly indicate the Job Control Code (JC-504473) and the title of this position in the “Examination or Job Title for Which You Are Applying” section located on the first page of your STD 678 State Application.
Individuals who are new to State service must have list eligibility in order to gain employment with the Office of the Attorney General. Process is described at: https://oag.ca.gov/careers/how-to-apply
Please note that appointment to the DAG classifications will be made using the following examinations:
DAG/Attorney exam – less than 5 years of experience: DAG/Attorney Examination (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1579)
DAG III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1683)

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: 2/12/2026

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:

Department of Justice
Courtney Contreras
Attn: Courtney Contreras (JC-504473)
1300 I Street 720
Sacramento, CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Justice
Courtney Contreras
Courtney Contreras (JC-504473)
1300 I Street 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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.
Other - Writing sample consisting of a dispostive motion, pretrial motion or appellate brief preferably written in the prior year.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the