BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II

California Department of Developmental Services; California; Hybrid; USD 97,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Department of Developmental Services is seeking a Behavior Specialist II to perform semi-annual monitoring of EBSHs and CCHs, review program plans, and assist in certification and licensing while providing behavioral expertise.

This hybrid in-office/telework role requires 40–60% statewide travel and offers a salary range of $8,685.00 to $9,342.00 per month, with state benefits and career progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• BACB certification knowledge and behavioral analysis principles.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong communication and data interpretation skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform semi-annual monitoring of Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes and Community Crisis Homes.
• Review program plans for EBSHs and CCHs.
• Assist in the certification and licensing process and provide behavioral expertise.

Skills

Behavior analyst knowledge

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Data analysis

Effective communication

Job description

Job Description And Duties

This position will perform the statutorily required semi-annual monitoring of Enhanced Behavioral Supports Homes (EBSH) and Community Crisis Homes (CCH), provide a review of program plans for EBSHs and CCHs, and assist in the certification and licensing process, and provide other behavioral expertise and support to the Department, provider staff, and regional center (RCs).

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

The Department now offers an entrance salary rate of $8685.00 for the Behavior Specialist II.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an open-space, partitioned office. This position has daily and overnight statewide travel approximately 40% - 60%. This position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time.
Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
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.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-534091
Position #(s): 472-568-9824-001
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.
# of Positions: 1
Work Location: Orange County
Telework: Hybrid
Job Type: Permanent, Full Time
Facility: Department of Developmental Services

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.
Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov

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.

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 : Current certification as a Behavior Analyst by the National Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Principles of applied behavior analysis and ethical considerations regarding behavior management, behavioral assessment and procedures to increase and decrease behavior and managing behavioral emergencies, basic types and characteristics of developmental disabilities, organizational structure of regional centers and State- operated facilities and the respective roles and responsibilities of staff, laws and regulations relevant to behavioral programming, which includes the use of restrictive procedures, methods of defining and measuring behavior, methods of collecting and displaying data, methods to promote behavioral generalization and maintenance.
Ability to : Develop cooperative and harmonious relationships with service providers, regional center staff and others. Ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary team model. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action. Communicate effectively. Analyze complex behavior and work with professional personnel to coordinate effective behavioral services.

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:
State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website
CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026
Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

Human Resources Contact:
Savannah Schmidt
[phone]
[e-mail]
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
[phone]
[e-mail]
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.
Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov

Additional Information

The first cut-off date for this job posting is 10/15/2026.
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.
All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further information on the definition of the above may be found on the California Department of Human Resources' website at: www.calhr.ca.gov .
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. Click here to gain list eligibility.

Remove Any 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.