Career Opportunities

DDS employs full and part-time employees in a variety of positions including clinical, trades, clerical and law enforcement positions.

DDS is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, including recruiting and retaining individuals with disabilities and other underrepresented or marginalized groups.  It is DDS’ policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and job applicants without regard to disability status or any other protected category under applicable state or federal law. Most DDS positions fall under the California state civil service process and are generally filled through competitive examinations.

The Department is always looking for creative and talented individuals who enjoy working with and helping people!

Open examinations are open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications listed on the exam bulletin. Open examinations provide employment opportunities to both the general public and current state employees.

The Department received authorization to expand the use of the Community State Staff Program (CSSP) to assist in meeting the goal of successfully transitioning DC/CF clients to community living or deflecting the admission of individuals with developmental disabilities to a DC, institution of mental disorder, an out of state placement, a general acute care hospitalization, or an acute psychiatric hospital as part of SB 856, the Developmental Services 2014-15 Budget trailer bill that was signed into law in June 2014. (WIC 4474.2). For more information, please visit the Community State Staff Program information web page.

Qualified Candidates:

Positions for the CSSP are for employees who are currently employed at a DC/CF.

Selected employees are post probation internal transfers within the DC/CF. Employees shall remain in their current classification, retain their permanent civil service status and benefits while they are assigned to the CSSP

Title/ClassificationPostedDeadlineJob Type
Psychiatric Technician – BAT Residential Services10/07/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician – Elwyn9/30/2016Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Registered Nurse – Elwyn9/30/2016Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Registered Nurse - Regional Center East Bay6/1/2023Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician Assistant – MINGCO7/28/2017Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician – GGRC7/28/2017Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician – MINGCO7/28/2017Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician Assistant – Elwyn11/29/2017Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician – Casa Luna4/6/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Management Services Technician – San Andreas RC5/3/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Registered Nurse – Continental Post Acute6/12/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Licensed Vocational Nurse – Continental Post Acute6/12/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
AGPA/SSA SARC7/26/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT – Belen Haven7/26/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
REGISTERED NURSE -Belen Haven7/26/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Licensed Vocational Nurse – Belen Haven II7/31/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician Assistant – Casa Luna9/25/2018Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Registered Nurse - Kern Regional Center 8/15/2019Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychologist - Kern Regional Center8/15/2019Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician Assistant , Integrated Treatment Services 9/24/2019 Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician, Integrated Treatment Services 9/24/2019 Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Registered Nurse, National Support Services
4/15/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychologist - SGPRC4/15/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Nurse Advocate - SGPRC4/15/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Licensed Vocational Nurse, National Support Services4/15/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Registered Nurse, Kern Regional Center5/8/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician, Integrated Treatment Services5/8/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychologist, Kern Regional Center5/8/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent
Psychiatric Technician Assistant, Integrated Treatment Services5/8/2020Until FilledFull-Time, Permanent

General Information

State Civil Service jobs are generally filled through competitive examinations. Information about the examination is provided by a bulletin. The bulletin includes information such as job title, salary, final filing date, minimum qualifications, and the type of test required. The typical types of tests may include written, interview, skills, (e.g., typing and driving), and physical ability (e.g. swimming, lifting, and running). The whole examination process may take as long as six months or more to complete.

For more information about the examination and civil service process you may want to visit the CalHR Frequently Asked Questions page.

For further information, visit the California Department of Human Resources website.

Exam Information

Before you can be appointed to a permanent position, you must first take an open competitive examination to obtain list eligibility. We encourage you to take as many examinations as you qualify for.

Examination Bulletins

DDS advertises positions by releasing examination bulletins. These bulletins provide information regarding minimum qualifications; how, where, what to study, and when to file for a particular examination. Visit the CalHR Website for examination opportunities.

After you locate an exam or vacancy which you have determined you are qualified for, you will need to complete a State application. Read it carefully and answer all questions that apply to you. It is best to type or print neatly in blue or black ink. The completed application is an example of your comprehension skills, your ability to follow directions, and your attention to detail. Be sure to sign all applications. Applications must be submitted by the final filing date as indicated on the exam or vacancy bulletins. LATE APPLICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.The official California State Examination/Employment Application Form Std. 678 is available online from the California Department of Human Resources. The application may also be obtained from any California State Personnel Board or Employment Development Department office.

Out-of-State applicants may obtain an official state application form by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

California Department of Human Resources Service Center P.O. Box 944201 Sacramento, CA 94244-2010

Note: Original signatures are required on all application submitted for an examination or a vacancy. It is a good idea to make additional copies of your application after completion, but before signing.

To apply for an State examination, you must complete a Application Form Std. 678. After your application is received by the testing personnel office, a letter normally will be sent to you within 30 days notifying you that your application was received and whether you qualify to take the exam. Important: Applications must be postmarked no later than the final filing date listed on the exam announcement.

Applicants who DO NOT meet the minimum qualifications for the classification being tested will receive a Disqualification letter. If you disagree with the disqualification decision and have additional information to submit to Personnel, follow the instructions indicated on the Disqualification Letter.

Applicants that DO meet the minimum qualifications for the classification being tested will not receive another notice until the next phase of the exam process. At that time, you may receive a Notice for a Written Examination and/or a Notice for an Oral Interview.

After you have taken a State examination, you will receive a letter indicating your results from the examination. This may take up to four to eight weeks from the date of the examination. If you passed the exam, the letter will contain your score and rank. Your name will be placed on an eligibility list which is typically active for one to four years. The examination bulletin (under the heading “Eligible List Information”) will state the length of eligibility which can be from one-four years.

Employment Inquiry

During the life of the eligibility list, you may be contacted to apply for a specific job. Employment Inquiries are sent to candidates when an agency or department is attempting to fill a position. Individuals are usually selected for interviews from the first three ranks on the eligibility list.

If you are not interested in that particular position you do not need to apply for the vacancy.

If you are interested in an advertised job vacancy, and you are reachable on the eligibility list for that classification, you do not need to wait for a contact letter to apply for a position. You may apply for a position and indicate your eligibility on your application in the explanations section that you are reachable and/or submit a copy of your result notice along with your State application.

Find a Vacancy

Now that you have taken an examination and are on an eligible list, the next step is locating a vacant position. There are many ways to obtain vacancy information. You may receive a contact letter. However, because there may be several candidates in the same rank, the computer may randomly choose the candidates who will receive a contact letter or due to employment preferences, you may be reachable for one position and not reachable for another position. If you receive a contact letter and fail to reply. or if you decline three job inquiries, your name may be removed from the list.

Don’t wait to be contacted

You may immediately apply for job openings. If you are not in the first three ranks, you may have to wait until a rank is cleared before you can be hired. DDS advertises vacancies on the CalCareers Jobs Site.

Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP)

LEAP is an alternative examination and appointment process designed to facilitate the recruitment and hiring of individuals with disabilities as State of California employees.

The LEAP examination process is a two-part process that consists of: 1) a Minimum Qualifications Assessment (Readiness Evaluation), and 2) a Job Examination Period (JEP) that is administered and evaluated in the work setting.

To be eligible for appointment to a permanent civil service position via LEAP, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Apply for LEAP certification with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). Learn more about the LEAP certification process by visiting DOR’s web site.
  2. Take self-evaluations (also known as LEAP exams) for state job classifications you qualify for.
  3. Identify specific job vacancies on the CalCareers web site that you are interested in and may be qualified for.
  4. Apply for job vacancies using your CalCareers account in accordance with the instructions provided in the job advertisement.
  5. If selected for a position, successfully complete a JEP.

The link below provides further information on LEAP, including an instructional video on how to navigate the process:

California Department of Rehabilitation – Limited Examination and Appointment Program

For more information, please contact DDS’ Office of Human Rights and Advocacy Services at ohras@dds.ca.gov.


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Last modified: August 29, 2023