Closing Date: 14th August, 2026
Description:
Job Description and Duties:Are you interested in investigating complex healthcare fraud schemes, holding healthcare providers accountable, and recovering millions of taxpayer dollars for California's Medi-Cal program?
The Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse (DMFEA), the California Department of Justice's fastest-growing Division, is seeking a Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for its Civil Section. Civil Section attorneys investigate and litigate complex healthcare fraud matters involving hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, pharmacies, hospices, nursing facilities, medical equipment providers, and other healthcare entities. Cases are investigated and litigated in both state and federal courts and frequently involve violations of the California False Claims Act.
This role allows attorneys to build cases from the ground up, developing investigative strategy, working closely with auditors and investigators, interviewing witnesses, analyzing claims data, and determining the best path toward resolution, whether through settlement or litigation.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Independently developing and executing strategic investigative and litigation plans from intake through resolution
- Conducting document-intensive and data-driven investigations
- Obtaining evidence through informal investigative techniques and formal legal process
- Identifying, interviewing, and evaluating witnesses
- Performing legal research, particularly involving healthcare fraud and False Claims Act issues
- Directing and coordinating the work of paralegals and investigative auditors assigned to matters
- Analyzing healthcare claims data and developing damages models to support settlement negotiations and litigation
- Litigating complex healthcare fraud matters in state and federal courts, when necessary
- Working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams that include auditors, investigators, attorneys from other states, U.S. Attorneys' Offices, and other federal and state enforcement agencies
- Communicating effectively, both orally and in writing
Experience with the Medi-Cal program, healthcare law, the pharmaceutical industry, managed care, healthcare fraud, or False Claims Act litigation is helpful but not required. The successful applicant will demonstrate the ability to perform complex, sensitive legal work independently while collaborating effectively within a small, highly engaged team of attorneys, paralegals, auditors, and support staff. Attorneys manage their own caseloads and may serve as lead counsel on significant investigations and litigation.
Unless case work, operational needs, or other circumstances require otherwise, attorneys currently work one designated day per week in the office, with the remaining days teleworking. This schedule is subject to change. 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. (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32790931&name=CombinedDS(DAGIII-IV).2026.pdf)
Working Conditions:
This is a hybrid position under current DOJ telework policy, which 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.
Additional Documents
Department Information:
Special Requirements:
You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.
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: 8/14/2026
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:
- Deputy Attorney General IV (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32790931&name=CombinedDS(DAGIII-IV).2026.pdf)
- Deputy Attorney General III (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32790931&name=CombinedDS(DAGIII-IV).2026.pdf)
Additional Documents
- Job Application Package Checklist (http://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Jobs/JobApplicationPackageChecklist.aspx?JobControlId=526133)
- Duty Statement (https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/FileDownload.aspx?aid=32790931&name=CombinedDS(DAGIII-IV).2026.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. The starting salary for each classification will be:
- Deputy Attorney General III (5 years): $12,046
- Deputy Attorney General IV (6+ years): $13,313
- New to State candidates will be hired at the starting HAM salary of the classification.
- 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.
- Please visit our webpage: Become a DOJ Deputy Attorney General | State of California - Department of Justice - Office of the Attorney General. (https://oag.ca.gov/dag-recruitment)
- 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://oag.ca.gov/dag-recruitment)
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-526133) 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. The 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 III exam– at least 5 years of legal experience: DAG III Examination (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1683)
- DAG IV exam– at least 6 years of legal experience: DAG IV Examination (https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=4914)
You do not have to take an exam before you apply for a job. However, you must complete and pass the exam to be eligible for hire.
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: 8/14/2026
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 Justice
Courtney Contreras
Attn: Courtney Contreras (JC-526133)
1300 I Street 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
Courtney Contreras
Attn: Courtney Contreras (JC-526133)
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:
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Justice
Courtney Contreras
Courtney Contreras (JC-526133)
1300 I Street 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Courtney Contreras
Courtney Contreras (JC-526133)
1300 I Street 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM