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.

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Desirable Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Ability to 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.

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.

Additional Information

The cut-off dates for this job posting are:

• 07/17/2026
• 07/31/2026
• 08/14/2026

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.

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.