BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II

State of California; United States; On-site; USD 97,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Developmental Services is seeking a BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II to support the Crisis Assessment Stabilization Team (CAST) across California. The role involves clinical behavior services for individuals with developmental disabilities, collaboration with multiple partners, and occasional travel to various counties.

The entrance salary rate is 8,685.00 monthly. Regular duties include providing behavioral consultation, program development, staff training, and ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements are as specified for BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II.
• Must hold BCBA certification or be eligible and provide date of anticipated certification.
• Willingness to travel to multiple locations (Tulare, Riverside, Solano counties and Sacramento).

Responsibilities

• Provide statewide behavioral consultation and clinical support for CAST.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, families, regional centers, and community providers.
• Deliver training and coaching to staff and caregivers.
• Assess and develop individualized behavioral programs under clinical direction.

Education

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certification

Job description

Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters

JC-534925

BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II

$8,685.00 - $9,342.00 per Month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 11/2/2026

The Department of Developmental Services(Department) is seeking compassionate and dedicated individuals to join their Crisis Assessment Stabilization Team (CAST). State-operated mobile crisis services provided by CAST is currently provided by our Northern, Central Valley and Southern State-Operated Stabilization Training Assistance Reintegration (STAR) homes. Under general administrative supervision of the Manager II State Operated Facilities (SOF) and clinical lead and direction of the Senior Supervising Psychologist, provides statewide behavioral consultation and clinical support for the Crisis Assessment Stabilization Team (CAST), a component of the Department of Developmental Services’ (DDS) STAR program. The position supports clinically appropriate behavior services for individuals with developmental disabilities experiencing behavioral or psychiatric crises and provides behavioral subject-matter expertise to CAST and State Operated Facilities (SOF) programs. The position collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, Regional Centers, families, community providers, hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and other partners to support coordinated behavioral services. 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. The Department now offers an entrance salary rate of $8685.00 for the Behavior Specialist II.

Regular interaction with individuals with developmental disabilities and complex behavioral or psychiatric conditions in the STAR residence and community settings, including individual residences, hospitals, and psychiatric facilities. Potential exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, medications, and other clinical or environmental hazards. Shall be able to physically respond to emergency situations, including lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, and assisting in physical interventions, when required. Requires travel to multiple locations, including locations in Tulare, Riverside, and Solano counties and Sacramento. 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

$8,685.00 - $9,342.00 DDS now offers an entrance salary rate of $8685.00

BEHAVIOR SPECIALIST II $8,685.00 - $9,342.00 DDS now offers an entrance salary rate of $8685.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Number of Positions

1

Work Location

United States

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.

The position(s) require(s) a ValidBoard 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.

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.

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 : Principles and practices of applied behavior analysis, including behavioral assessment, individualized behavior-support planning, positive behavioral supports, replacement-skill instruction, and behavioral data collection and interpretation; methods for evaluating behavioral-program implementation fidelity and outcomes;person-centered, culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and least restrictive approaches; crisis preventions and de-escalation strategies; behavioral-service needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and complex behavioral needs, including those with co-occurring psychiatric conditions; behavioral-service delivery in 24-hour residential, crisis-response, and other intensive-service settings; and methods for training and coaching staff and caregivers.

Ability to : The ability to analyze behavioral information; participate in the development, implementation, review, and evaluation of individualized behavioral programs under the clinical direction of the Senior Supervising Psychologist; analyze and communicate behavioral data; identify implementation concerns and recommend improvements; develop and deliver training; provide coaching and technical assistance; collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams; communicate findings and recommendations clearly; exercise sound judgment and recognize matters requiring referral to the supervising psychologist or designated management; and apply ethical, culturally- responsive, person-centered, trauma-informed, and least restrictive practices.

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:

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

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

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Electronic applicationsubmission is highly encouraged.

Multiple positions may befilled from this recruitment. This recruitment may beutilized to fill future vacancies that may occur during the life of thecertification 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/assessmentyou may find the exam for this classificationat the link below. You must take and pass the exam/assessment to obtaineligibilityfor hire. Click here to gain list eligibility .

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.