Deputy City Attorney - Health & Human Services Team, City Attorney's Office

Job Description

Importance of the Role
San Francisco operates one of the most comprehensive public health and human services systems in the country. Our team advises policymakers, department leaders, clinicians, social services professionals, and commissions on high‑stakes operational, regulatory, and policy matters that directly affect service delivery and public health outcomes.

The work is fast‑paced, varied, and consequential. Attorneys regularly address issues involving law, medicine, ethics, privacy, and government operations, and serve as trusted advisors during periods of operational and public scrutiny. This role provides the opportunity to build a sophisticated public law practice while meaningfully impacting the lives of San Franciscans.

Position Responsibilities
Deputy City Attorneys on this team advise on complex legal and operational issues, develop practical solutions, and support major public initiatives. Responsibilities include:

• Reviewing and negotiating contracts, procurements, and RFPs
• Advising departments on legal and policy issues involving health care, public health, social services, homelessness systems, and government operations
• Providing real‑time guidance on regulatory, compliance, and operational matters affecting hospitals, clinics, behavioral health programs, and public benefit systems
• Counseling clients on risk, statutory interpretation, and administrative decision‑making
• Interpreting federal, state, and local laws governing health care systems, human services programs, privacy, and public funding
• Advising on public records, open government, and government ethics requirements
• Developing subject‑matter expertise in areas central to City governance and service delivery
• Advising on health care operations, compliance, HIPAA, and related privacy laws

About the Health and Human Services Team
We serve as legal counsel to departments central to the City’s safety net, including:

• Department of Public Health
• Human Services Agency
• Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing
• Department of Children, Youth, and Their Families
• Department of Early Childhood
• Additional departments and commissions dedicated to public health, safety, and wellbeing

The practice is collaborative and interdisciplinary, working closely with policy experts, clinicians, administrators, and elected officials to solve complex and evolving legal challenges.

About the Office
The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office is a nationally recognized public law office committed to advancing justice, equity, and effective government. With over 350 attorneys and staff, we provide counsel on issues that are legally sophisticated, socially significant, and often nationally influential. We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees can thrive. A hybrid work schedule is available for eligible employees.

Learn more at: www.sf.gov/cityattorney

The Ideal Candidate
We seek a candidate with excellent legal judgment, strong communication skills, and a commitment to public service. Desired qualifications include:

• Familiarity with healthcare regulatory frameworks (Medi‑Cal, CMS, HIPAA, fraud‑and‑abuse laws, licensing rules)
• Experience with solicitations, vendor selection, bid protests, and procurement compliance
• Experience with healthcare contracting, including managed care, data‑sharing, privacy/security, and clinical service agreements
• At least five years of legal experience, preferably in an advisory, healthcare, or public agency role
• Experience advising on hospital or health system operations and regulatory compliance
• Knowledge of HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules and related privacy laws (preferred)
• Strong writing, analysis, and problem‑solving skills
• Ability to manage complex assignments independently
• Sound judgment and practical, solution‑oriented advice
• Collaborative approach and commitment to inclusive teamwork

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

• Licensed to practice law

Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required, information on how to verify education requirements, including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency, can be found at https://sfdhr.org/how-verify-education-requirements.

Note: Falsifying one’s education, training, or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco.

All work experience, education, training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application.

Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility, disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedures
The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Depending on the number of applicants, the Department may establish and implement additional screening mechanisms to comparatively evaluate the qualifications of candidates. If this becomes necessary, only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited to participate in the oral/performance interview.

Additional Information

Salary and Benefits
The Deputy City Attorney position has a 16-step salary scale ranging from $158,548 to $277,810.  The successful applicant is appointed to a salary step based on years of experience as a lawyer. The City offers robust health, retirement and other benefits. For more information please visit: https://sfdhr.org/benefits-overview. Attorneys are represented by the Municipal Attorneys Association. Information about compensation and benefits is available by entering Classification Code 8177 at https://careers.sf.gov/classifications/.

Additional Information Regarding Employment with the City and County of San Francisco:

• Information About the Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit https://careers.sf.gov/ and begin the application process.

• Select the “Apply Now” button and follow instructions on the screen
• Make sure to include your CA Bar Number in the education section on your application
• Upload a Cover Letter and a Resume

Applicants who advance in the selection process must submit at least two references and at least two writing samples.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and, therefore, it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept up-to-date. Also, applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking, applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses (@sfgov.org, @sfcityatty.org, @sfdpw.org, @sfport.com, @flysfo.com, @sfwater.org, @sfdph.org, @asianart.org, @sfmta.com, @sfpl.org, @dcyf.org, @first5sf.org, @famsf.org, @ccsf.edu, @smartalerts.info, and @smartrecruiters.com).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file.  Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Human Resources Analyst Information: If you have any questions regarding this recruitment or application process, please send your inquires to Asa Nojd, Human Resources Analyst, at [email protected].

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.