The California Department of Developmental Services (Department) is the agency through which the State of California provides services and supports to individuals with developmental disabilities.
These disabilities include intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and related conditions. Services are provided through state-operated developmental centers and community facilities, and contracts with 21 nonprofit regional centers. The regional centers serve as a local resource to help find and access the services and supports available to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov
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:
Knowledge of : Cultural sensitivity for the population being served, positive behavioral supports, trauma informed care, coaching skills training, person-centered practices, and utilizing less restrictive techniques to address behavioral issues. Possesses and maintains sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability to perform the duties contained in this duty statement. At least six months prior experience providing direct care to individuals with developmental disabilities who have challenging behavior services needs is highly preferred.
Ability to: Work with individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g. autistic spectrum disorder, intellectual disability) and severe behavioral (e.g. aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and elopement) and psychiatric conditions and symptoms (e.g. psychosis, mood disorders, PTSD, and suicidal ideation). Perform self-defense and hands-on intervention training, including two-person wall containment with resistive individuals. Be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance and be able to complete all required trainings.
As a state employee working for the Department, you and your family will have access to excellent medical, dental and vision insurance benefits in addition to retirement benefits.
Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment. Additional benefits may also be outlined for specific bargaining units in employee collective bargaining contracts. For more information, please visit the links below:
State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website
CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: http://www.dds.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:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
(916) 654-1888
[email protected]
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.
The cutoff dates for this job posting are:
08/06/2026
08/20/2026
09/03/2026
Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment. This recruitment may be utilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of the certification list.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate may be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the California Department of Human Resources.
If you have not taken the Senior Psychiatric Technician exam/assessment you may find the exam for this classification at the link below. You must take and pass the exam/assessment to obtain eligibility for hire. Click here to gain list eligibility.
Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts.
Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver’s license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver’s license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
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.
