Assistant Chief Counsel

The Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) reports to the HCAI Chief Counsel. The ACC is a principal manager for the Legal Office, leading a team of attorneys and analysts to provide client-centered legal and policy advice and assistance within a broad range of administrative and legal matters, primarily the proper handling of sensitive and confidential data, and activities including litigation, statutory and regulatory issues, 21st Century Cures Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, the Confidentiality of Medical Information Act, 42 C.F.R Part 2 related to substance use disorder treatment records, Information Practices Act, and compliance with all relevant laws relating to public agencies. The ACC plans, organizes, directs, and reviews the work of Legal Office attorneys, and is responsible for assessing workload and making assignments based on available resources and the needs of the department. Requiring minimal supervision from the Chief Counsel, the ACC independently works as a legal expert to provide client-centered legal and policy advice and assistance on all matters as required by the department, including statutory and regulatory issues, administrative hearings, and civil litigation.

The ACC should be familiar with HCAI’s mission, goals, organizational structure, and programs. The ACC must also demonstrate a positive attitude and a commitment to act in a professional manner in dealing with the public and department clients, provide quality customer service to all customers, and be able to deal tactfully, professionally, and confidentially with all internal and external customers and contacts.

Effective July 1, 2025, specific Bargaining Units and associated Excluded State employees are subject to a salary reduction between 2% - 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) hours each month. For more details about PLP 2025, visit the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website.

This position is pending the Department of Finance (DOF) approval.

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

Salary

• $14,513 - $17,742/month

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Experience acting in a Lead Attorney role, including supervising and/or mentoring other Attorneys.
• Experience acting as a Subject Matter Expert or leading a team addressing a complex legal issue.
• Experience with health care law.
• Experience with laws applicable to health and human services information and health information exchange,
• Experience advising on the development of privacy, security, and data management policies and procedures
• Experience analyzing pending legislation.
• Experience interpreting or drafting regulations.
• Experience with progressive discipline actions.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information works to ensure that healthcare is available where Californians need it most. With offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles, we strengthen the state’s healthcare system through facility construction, expanding the health workforce, and providing vital health information. Our diverse team upholds the values of professionalism, innovation, equity, and service. We provide tools and support to help you start, build, or transition your career while making a meaningful impact for all Californians.

Our work spans many different and often complex and novel issues, offering team members the opportunity to engage with diverse subject areas and make a meaningful contribution to expanding equitable access to health care for all Californians. The Legal Office provides legal advice to the broad range of programs at HCAI, including the proper handling of sensitive and confidential data, facility construction, health workforce development, and health facility financing. We collaborate closely with internal partners to deliver clear, practical guidance that supports our mission and ensures compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Legal Office provides expert counsel on a broad range of legal issues, including information security, contracts, compliance, legislation, personnel issues, and litigation. The HCAI office is a collegial mid-size legal office, where attorneys work both independently and as part of a close-knit team.

HCAI is committed to building an inclusive work environment that promotes diversity, where employees are appreciated and feel comfortable being their authentic selves. We value our employees’ skills, experience, and unique perspectives because they enrich our workforce and make us stronger. We embrace and support a culture of equitable opportunity, empowering our employees to advance health care access and information for the diverse populations we serve across California.

Department Website: http://HCAI.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

This position is subject to the Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests filing requirements, which requires disclosure of certain personal economic interests as determined by the Conflict of Interest Code of the Department of Health Care Access and Information.Pursuant to Government Code section 81008, Form 700 Statement of Economic Interests is public record and will be made available for public inspection.

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: 4/21/2026

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 Health Care Access and Information
Human Resources Office
Attn: Classification and Pay
2020 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 1016
Sacramento, CA 95833

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Health Care Access and Information
Human Resources Office
Attn: Classification and Pay
2020 West El Camino Avenue, Suite 1016
Sacramento, CA 95833
Drop off at 8th Floor Receptionist
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 optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted to apply for this position.
  
  (The SOQ is a separate document with your Name and Job Control number noted on the top, typed in Arial 12 pt font, no more than two pages.) Resumes and cover letters do not take the place of the SOQ. Applications without a clearly titled SOQ or failure to follow instructions above will not be considered for the position.

  1. Please explain why you want to join the HCAI Legal Office team, and how your background and experience will be an asset to the HCAI Legal Office.

  2. Please explain your background and experience with privacy and security laws applicable to health and human services information and health information exchange.
  
  To support fair hiring, applicants should prepare their application materials using their own knowledge, experience, and skills. Your responses should show your own qualifications and work history. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools should only be used responsibly.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Working Conditions

HCAI is committed to fostering a flexible, inclusive, and high-performing work environment that supports both operational excellence and employee well-being.

HCAI is housed in a state-of-the-art building outside of downtown off Interstate-5. Enjoy a great work environment with many amenities, including FREE PARKING and fully equipped electric vehicle charging stations. HCAI is close to many dining and shopping choices in the Natomas area.

HCAI supports a hybrid telework schedule for many positions, consistent with operational requirements. Telework schedules are only available for CA residents. The telework policy is subject to change, and additional in-office days may be required and/or minimal notification may be given to report to the worksite if an urgent need arises.

Visa Sponsorship: HCAI is not an E-Verify employer and does not provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of appointment.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:http://HCAI.ca.gov/

Human Resources Contact:
HCAI Recruitment
(916) 326-3260
HRRecruitment@hcai.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Office
(916) 326-3261
eeo@hcai.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device. Benefits

In addition to competitive public employee wages and a comprehensive benefits package, our employees enjoy meaningful and interesting work that supports access to healthcare.

To learn more about benefits for State employees, visit the Salary and Benefits page on the CalHR website.

University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) employees may qualify to transfer their current and previous employment credit to State of California employment through CalPERS. Human Resources can help with this process upon employment, or you can reach out to CalPERS for inquiries at (888) 225-7377.