Attorney IV

California Department of Managed Health Care; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid telework

Job summary

The California Department of Managed Health Care in Sacramento seeks an experienced Attorney IV for the Office of Enforcement to handle high‑level litigation related to health care service plans under the Knox‑Keene Act.

The role requires leading counsel duties, conducting all stages of litigation, providing strategic legal advice, and appearing in California courts; telework is hybrid.

Applicants must be a member of the State Bar of California and meet the department's background requirements.

Qualifications

• Membership in the State Bar of California.
• Ability to conduct all stages of litigation, including research, strategy, and appellate work.
• Ability to provide advice and opinions to Department management on legal issues.

Responsibilities

• Lead counsel in administrative hearings, civil trials, and appeals on the Department’s most significant cases.
• Develop proposed legislation, testify before legislative committees, and prepare legal documents.
• Collaborate with other programs within the Department and manage complex litigation.

Education

State Bar of California

Job description

Job Description And Duties

The Office of Enforcement at the Department of Managed Health Care handles the litigation needs of the Department, representing the Department in actions to enforce the managed health care laws. The Office of Enforcement has an exciting opportunity for an experienced, motivated, committed litigator. The successful candidate will be responsible for performing sensitive and complex litigation work for the Department related to health care service plans pursuant to the Knox-Keene Health Care Service Plan Act of 1975, (Health and Safety Code section 1340, et seq.) and its implementing regulations (California Code of Regulations, title 28, division 1, chapter 1 (sections 1300.41-1300.826)).

This position is distinguished from other Attorney positions by the expertise and experience required to perform the duties of an Attorney IV. The incumbent will be involved in prosecuting and defending civil and administrative cases at the trial and appellate levels involving matters of the highest degree of difficulty.

An Attorney IV for the Office of Enforcement at the Department of Managed Health Care performs a wide variety of legal work. Assignments typically consist of, but are not limited to, the ability to effectively conduct all stages of litigation, and conduct legal research and analysis; rendering legal advice and opinions to Department management; responding to difficult legal correspondence; and developing strategy and tactics in the most complex disputes or litigation. In addition, the Attorney IV interprets and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities; provides advice or opinions to Department management on legal issues arising out of investigations and litigation; and appears in all courts of California.

The Attorney IV is responsible for developing proposed legislation, testifying before legislative committees, conducting negotiations, preparing cases, opinions, briefs, and other legal documents such as memoranda and reports, preparing cases which may result in litigation before administrative law judges or civil trial or appellate courts, assembling and evaluating evidence, interviewing witnesses, and acting as lead counsel in administrative hearings, civil trials, and appeals on the Department’s most significant cases.

The Attorney IV is required to take substantial initiative, exercise a considerable amount of discretion, display superior work habits (e.g., organizational skills, accountability, timely completion of assignments), work independently, and produce the highest quantity and quality of legal work. The Attorney IV will serve as lead counsel over less experienced staff in litigation, and regularly communicate and collaborate with other programs within the Department.

It is expected that the Attorney IV will be assigned increasingly more difficult work, and need less direct supervision, as experience is gained in the respective classification at the Office of Enforcement.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

• Membership in the State Bar of California

This recruitment has been posted for more vacancies than currently exist as it might be used to fill additional identical vacancies which may occur within 180 days of the closing date of this bulletin.

Leave Program (PLP) 2025 agreement

Effective July 1, 2025, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) implemented the temporary Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025). PLP 2025 directs that each employee receive a temporary reduction in pay in exchange for PLP 2025 leave credits. The temporary salary reduction percentage and the number of PLP 2025 leave credits are based on the position’s associated bargaining unit. The salary range(s) included in this job advertisement do not include the temporary salary reduction.

Working Conditions

The DMHC has locations in Downtown Sacramento and Rancho Cordova. Both locations are located close to light-rail with various amenities. The incumbent will work in a climate-controlled cubicle and/or office environment with artificial lighting.

This position may be eligible for hybrid telework. The telework schedule is permitted at the operational needs of the Department and is subject to change, consistent with the State Telework Policy and the DMHC’s Telework Policy. All employees who telework are required to be California residents and maintain California residency in accordance with Government Code 14200.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY IV

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-529149

Position #(s): 409-411-5780-XXX

Working Title: Attorney IV

Classification: ATTORNEY IV

$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Sacramento County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The mission of the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) is to ensure health plan members have access to equitable, high-quality, timely, and affordable health care within a stable health care delivery system. The DMHC accomplishes its mission by ensuring the health care system works for consumers. The Department protects the health care rights of 30.2 million Californians by regulating health care service plans, assisting consumers through a consumer Help Center, educating consumers on their rights and responsibilities and preserving the financial stability of the managed health care system.

DMHC values diversity at all levels of the organization and is committed to fostering an environment in which employees from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. DMHC believes the diversity of our employees and their unique ideas inspire innovative solutions to further our mission. Join DMHC and help us improve the lives of all Californians.

If you are interested in learning about the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) culture from the perspective of someone like yourself, contact our Someone Like Me program (please check your Spam or Junk folders for our email replies). Within five business days of your request to participate in the Someone Like Me program, you will be matched with a DMHC employee with a similar background to discuss the DMHC’s culture. This program is not part of, or in any way affiliated with the application or hiring process. Prospective employees must complete the application process on Cal Careers (e.g., submit your application within the specified timeframes on the job posting) to be considered for hire at the DMHC. None of the information you provide through the Someone Like Me program will be relayed to the Hiring Unit.

Special Requirements

The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

All applicants not currently employed by the DMHC will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation. The investigation will consist of fingerprinting and an inquiry to the California Department of Justice to disclose criminal records.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment . If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you MUST submit a copy of your college transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may be accepted during the application process; however, submission of official transcripts may be required prior to appointment.

Final Filing Date: 9/8/2026

Benefits

For information on benefits, please visit the Benefit Summary page on the CalHR website.

Contact Information

Department Website: http://www.dmhc.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact

DMHC Recruitment
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact

Alejandro Camilo
[phone]
[e-mail]

EEO Contact

EEO Office
[phone]
[e-mail]

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation. It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.