Job Description

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 .

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.

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: 

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 o f: 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:

Benefit information can be found on the website and the website.

Additional Information

The cut-off dates for this job posting are:

07/17/2026

07/31/2026
08/14/2026

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 

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.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work from home, Visa sponsorship, Work visa, Night shift

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