Deputy City Attorney – Health & Human Services Team

Position Summary

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office is looking for a qualified and motivated attorney to join its Health & Human Services Team, which advises the City’s hospitals, health system, and social services agencies. The Health & Human Services Team serves as general counsel for the Department of Public Health, the Human Services Agency, the Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and certain other departments that protect and promote the health and wellbeing of the City’s residents. The team also advises the Mayor’s Office, the Board of Supervisors, and other City officials and departments on matters relating to health care and human service programs.

The team’s responsibilities include: providing general legal counsel to the team’s clients, including in relation to privacy and compliance, health care issues, and state and federal regulatory oversight of licensed facilities and professionals; interpreting myriad federal, state, and local laws governing the provision and funding of health and human service programs; drafting related local and state legislation; drafting and approving a high volume of contracts and advising on the City’s procurement processes (including requests for proposals); advising the Health Commission, the Human Services Commission, and other policy and advisory bodies; and advising on the day-to-day legal issues that arise in the operation of major City departments, including in relation to public meeting and public records laws.

Duties and Responsibilities

An attorney on the Health & Human Services Team typically serves in an advisory role as general counsel to a mix of City officials and departments. In that capacity, the attorney may perform many functions – providing interpretations and advice, both orally and in writing, formally and informally, on a broad range of legal issues. The attorney’s role could include interpreting City or State law or advising on the legal risks of a particular government action; drafting ordinances, ballot measures, and administrative regulations; reviewing contracts for legal and procedural sufficiency; and providing legal advice to commissioners before and during commission meetings. The attorney functions as the Office’s expert on laws administered by the City officials and agencies that the attorney advises. The attorney also may develop expertise in areas of law that transcend issues particular to the attorney’s client agencies and are relevant to many or all components of City government.

Qualifications and Prior Experience

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed to practice law in California

Desired Qualifications:

• At least five years of experience in the practice of law, especially in an advice capacity as a government lawyer

• Experience advising on legal issues related to daily hospital operations, including patient care, consent, bioethics, risk management, medical staff issues, and licensing and certification

• Experience advising covered entities and business associates on adherence to HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules, including familiarity with privacy/security breach protocols

• Familiarity with federal and state laws protecting the privacy of information relating to individuals’ participation in public benefit programs

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

• Excellent legal analytical skills

• Ability to assume responsibility for assignments and to work independently and efficiently

• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment

How to Apply