ATTORNEY III JC-525095
Job Description And Duties
This classification is authorized to receive a starting salary rate of $12,046.00 under Pay Scales Section 5. From heart health and mental wellness to food safety and the prevention of infectious and chronic diseases, our programs and services touch the lives of every Californian, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) Office of Legal Services (OLS) is seeking an attorney to support and represent the Department’s programs on a variety of matters. This is a permanent, full-time Attorney III position on the Public Health Programs (PHP) house counsel team, located in Sacramento.
- Advise public health programs within CDPH on complex legal issues involving public health laws, matters of Departmental and programmatic authority, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements for the conduct of state business, including those for contracting, information management, public records disclosure, open meeting laws, privacy laws, administrative hearing processes, litigation support, and such other legal issues as may arise.
- Research, develop, and draft legislative language, regulations, and transactional documents and advise the Department, and potentially the California Health and Human Services Agency and the Governor’s Office, on Public Health-related legal matters pertaining to his/her assigned Centers, Divisions, Offices, and/or programs.
- In July 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025. This program temporarily reduces employees’ monthly base pay in exchange for paid leave credits. This position is subject to PLP 2025 and will have a monthly base pay reduction of 4.62% in exchange for 8 hours of leave credits through October 2026. The salary ranges shown on this job posting do not reflect the salary reduction. Please let us know how you heard about our position by taking this brief survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CDPHRecruitment
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have:
- A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Admission to practice law in California.
- At least 3 years of relevant experience in public health law, preferably in a governmental setting.
- Experience drafting and reviewing contracts, policies, and procedures related to public health.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to manage a diverse caseload and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of California public health laws and regulations.
- Experience with administrative hearings and litigation support.
Benefits
The California Department of Public Health offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Health insurance options.
- Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and personal days.
- Flexible work arrangements, including telework options.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Retirement savings plan.
Schedule
This is a permanent, full-time position with a flexible schedule to accommodate the needs of the department and the individual.