BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II

Job Description and Duties The Department of Developmental Services (Department) is seeking compassionate and dedicated individuals to join their team at the Stabilization Training Assistance Reintegration (STAR) Acute Crisis Homes. As a member of the STAR team, you will work to provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities during times of acute crisis. This role requires individuals who are passionate about person-centered care, and who are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. STAR currently provides assistance to adolescents (11-17 years old) and adults (18 years of age and older) who are receiving regional center services. The STAR homes are four to five bed homes in community settings (Vacaville, Springville, and Costa Mesa). As a member of the Department STAR team, you will work in a community home setting where you will be responsible for assisting individuals with activities of daily living, providing emotional support, and promoting independence. This is an incredibly rewarding position for individuals who are passionate about helping others and who want to make a positive impact in their community. If you are looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, then we encourage you to apply for a role with the Department STAR Acute Crisis Homes today. DDS now offers an entrance salary rate of $8685.00 for the Behavior Specialist II classification. Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of three percent in exchange for five hours per month of the Personal Leave Program. You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement. Working Conditions On-going interaction with consumers with developmental disabilities and severe psychiatric and behavioral conditions at STAR residence and in community settings, such as consumer's homes, hospital, or psychiatric settings. Potential exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinical nursing environment. May involve heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with pushing, pulling, bending, stooping, squatting, grabbing, carrying, kneeling, twisting and reaching at, or above, shoulder level. Includes sitting, standing, and walking most of the time, with, or working on, irregular surface and periodically requires extraordinary physical activity. Must be able to travel to DDS locations throughout California, this includes: three STAR locations (Tulare, Riverside and Solano County) and headquarters (Sacramento County). Travel may require overnight stays. Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment. This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position. Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification. * BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II * BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST I Additional Documents * Job Application Package Checklist * Duty Statement Position Details Job Code #: JC-503289 Position #(s): 472-731-9824-XXX Working Title: BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II Classification: BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II $8,685.00 - $9,342.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable. Shall Consider: BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST I $5,126.00 - $8,897.00 # of Positions: Multiple Work Location: Solano County Telework: In Office Job Type: Permanent, Full Time Department Information 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. Please direct questions to: Special Requirements * The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired. * The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired. The position(s) require(s) a - Valid Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification, by the National Behavior Analyst Certification Board. If you are eligible for certification, have applied for BCBA certification and within one month of receiving certification, you may apply. You MUST include the date you will receive your BCBA certification on your State application. For BCBA Information and eligibility requirements, go to; Instructions 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: Until Filled 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 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 Developmental Services - Headquarters N/A Attn: Aira Dandoy Cert Unit 1215 O Street, MS 10-40 Sacramento, CA 95814 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at: Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters N/A Aira Dandoy Cert Unit 1215 O Street, MS 10-40 Sacramento, CA 95814 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 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. 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. 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: Knowledge of: Self-defense and hands-on intervention training, including two-person physical containment with resistive consumers up to 350 lbs. for up to 10 minutes. Must be competent in the areas of cultural sensitivity for the population being served, positive behavioral support, trauma informed care, coaching skills training, person centered practices, and utilizing less restrictive techniques to behavioral issues. Must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during emergency situations, or during physically, mentally or emotionally stressful situations encountered on the job without endangering the health and well-being of self, fellow employees, individuals, or the public. Must be able to lift 100 pounds with assistance. Ability to: Safely contain one limb of a combative consumer for up to 5 minutes; push/pull/lift up to 50 lbs. (including laundry or medication carts); quickly respond to alarm within 200 feet (may occur several times daily) in interior of building; run 100 yards; assist a consumer to a standing position up to 350 lbs.; and bend/squat up to 5 minutes. Must be able to complete all required training. Must possess a valid driver's license and identification. Benefits As a state employee working for the Department of Developmental Services, 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: California State Employee Benefits Summary CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026 Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. Additional Information The cut-off dates for this job posting are: 03/12/2026 03/26/2026 04/09/2026 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 Behavior Specialist II 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. BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST I BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II Confidential Information 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. 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.

Created: 2026-04-15