ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE

Department of Health Care Services · Sacramento County

Salary: $10,588 – $15,263 per month

Closes: 2026-11-07T00:00:00.000Z

Job description and requirements

Job Description and Duties Why Join DHCS? The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today! About this Role: The role of the Administrative Law Judge is to preside over quasi-judicial hearings on difficult, complex, and sensitive matters as provided under the Administrative Procedure Act and other state and federal statutes; confer with and assist less experienced Administrative Law Judges with challenging cases and provide guidance; and assist with the development and implementation of new office policies and procedures and the improvement of existing policies and procedures. Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact recruit@dhcs.ca.gov, we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process! This position is subject to the Department's Conflict of Interest Code and filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) when assuming office, annually while in office, and upon leaving office. This is a re-advertisement of JC-533266. If you previously applied under JC-533266, you would need to re-apply under this new Job Control, JC- 535938 in order to be considered. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Special Requirements Simple Application Steps If you are interested in this position, complete the following simple steps: • Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Administrative Law Judge. See the Minimum Requirements section above. • Complete the statement of qualifications and the state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions. • Submit your application package with all required documents, which include the statement of qualifications - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below. • Once you have applied, take the Administrative Law Judge Examination. Statement of Qualifications Requirement Section Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion, not a cover letter, prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience, qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as documentation of the applicant’s ability to present information clearly and provide DHCS additional information about their experience and qualifications concisely in writing. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, double spaced and using 12-point font. You must indicate your Full Name and Job Control Number at the top right corner. Candidates who do not complete and submit an SOQ may not be considered for this position. 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: The skill to understand the testimony of expert witnesses in complex matters; identify and analyze relevant facts and complex legal issues; determine the relevance of evidence presented at the hearing; preside over and maintain control of proceedings; recognize and protect the confidentiality of oral and written information; determine the appropriate credibility and weight given to testimony offered; prioritize one's workload with varying degrees of importance, taking into consideration statutory timelines; and draft logical, well-written decisions. The ability to act without supervision or assistance in conducting hearings, ruling on issues presented, and preparing written decisions; maintain a fair and impartial attitude, without bias or prejudice, in all matters; analyze, evaluate, and apply legal principles and evidentiary rules to the facts of a case; communicate effectively in writing with a high level of attention to detail; complete assignments efficiently and on time; accurately summarize evidence; conduct relevant legal research; communicate effectively orally; work well under pressure and in stressful situations; establish cooperative and positive relationships in the workplace; set a positive example and be flexible in response to change. The knowledge of the California Administrative Procedure Act and other principles related to administrative litigation.
Show full description and requirements

Job Description and Duties

Why Join DHCS?

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is the backbone of California’s health care safety net. Our success is made possible by the hard work of more than 4,800 DHCS team members and through collaboration with the federal government and other state agencies, counties, and partners for the care of low-income families, children, pregnant women, older adults, and persons with disabilities. This is an exciting opportunity to join our diverse team in the following role. If you are interested in joining our team, apply today!

About this Role:

The role of the Administrative Law Judge is to preside over quasi-judicial hearings on difficult, complex, and sensitive matters as provided under the Administrative Procedure Act and other state and federal statutes; confer with and assist less experienced Administrative Law Judges with challenging cases and provide guidance; and assist with the development and implementation of new office policies and procedures and the improvement of existing policies and procedures.

Have questions and/or need assistance? Contact recruit@dhcs.ca.gov, we are here to help walk you through the state hiring process!

This position is subject to the Department's Conflict of Interest Code and filing a Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) when assuming office, annually while in office, and upon leaving office.

This is a re-advertisement of JC-533266. If you previously applied under JC-533266, you would need to re-apply under this new Job Control, JC- 535938 in order to be considered.

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

Special Requirements

Simple Application Steps

If you are interested in this position, complete the following simple steps:

  1. Review the education and experience minimum qualifications (MQ’s) of the Administrative Law Judge. See the Minimum Requirements section above.
  1. Complete the statement of qualifications and the state application by clicking “Apply Now” above. See below for detailed application instructions.
  1. Submit your application package with all required documents, which include the statement of qualifications - see the "Required Application Package Documents" section below.
  1. Once you have applied, take the Administrative Law Judge Examination.

Statement of Qualifications Requirement Section

Applicants must include a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) for this recruitment. The SOQ is a narrative discussion, not a cover letter, prepared by the applicant describing how their skills, knowledge, abilities, education, training, and experience, qualify them for the position.

The SOQ serves as documentation of the applicant’s ability to present information clearly and provide DHCS additional information about their experience and qualifications concisely in writing. The DHCS may not consider applicants who fail to provide an SOQ with their application. Resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

The SOQ must be no more than two pages in length, double spaced and using 12-point font. You must indicate your Full Name and Job Control Number at the top right corner.


Candidates who do not complete and submit an SOQ may not be considered for this position.

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:


The skill to understand the testimony of expert witnesses in complex matters; identify and analyze relevant facts and complex legal issues; determine the relevance of evidence presented at the hearing; preside over and maintain control of proceedings; recognize and protect the confidentiality of oral and written information; determine the appropriate credibility and weight given to testimony offered; prioritize one's workload with varying degrees of importance, taking into consideration statutory timelines; and draft logical, well-written decisions. The ability to act without supervision or assistance in conducting hearings, ruling on issues presented, and preparing written decisions; maintain a fair and impartial attitude, without bias or prejudice, in all matters; analyze, evaluate, and apply legal principles and evidentiary rules to the facts of a case; communicate effectively in writing with a high level of attention to detail; complete assignments efficiently and on time; accurately summarize evidence; conduct relevant legal research; communicate effectively orally; work well under pressure and in stressful situations; establish cooperative and positive relationships in the workplace; set a positive example and be flexible in response to change. The knowledge of the California Administrative Procedure Act and other principles related to administrative litigation.

About this opportunity

Salary context

The annualized midpoint for this posting is $155,106. That matches the $155,106 median among 6 current California public jobs with the same normalized title.

More jobs at this employer

Department of Health Care Services currently has 25 other open positions in this database.

Regional hiring context

There are 658 current state openings in Sacramento County, including this position.

Application timeline

Applications close in 3 days, on November 7, 2026.

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These employers are currently listing the same normalized role:

Posting history

This posting appears on CalCareers. CA Public Jobs first observed it on October 17, 2026. It was last verified open on November 4, 2026.

View the official posting