PEACE OFFICER I, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

California Department of Developmental Services; California; On-site; USD 6,500 - 7,700; Full time

Job summary

California Department of Developmental Services seeks a Police Officer I to join the Office of Protective Services at Porterville Developmental Center in Porterville, CA. The role includes patrols, incident response, investigations, and client custody duties to safeguard residents and staff.

Requirements include POST Basic Academy, a valid California driver’s license, and successful completion of pre-employment screening.

Qualifications

• POST Basic Academy certificate must be attached to the application.
• Copy of current California Driver’s License.
• All appointments are subject to pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearance.

Responsibilities

• Patrol grounds and ensure safe facility operations.
• Investigate incidents and assist with control and transport of clients.
• Provide first responder support and enforce security at Porterville Developmental Center.

Skills

Law enforcement knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

POST Basic Academy

Job description

Job Description And Duties

RE-ADVERTISEMENT: If you previously applied to this position, it is not necessary to submit a new application.

Are you looking to join an agency that is making an impact in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)? Leverage your training and experience in helping our residents lead more independent, productive, and dignified lives.

Join the Office of Protective Services (OPS) at the Department of Developmental Services (Department) as a Police Officer and provide specialized law enforcement services at Porterville Developmental Center in Porterville, CA.

OPS is a POST-participating agency within the Department, and we are hiring multiple, highly motivated, and empathetic Police Officers to perform law enforcement activities necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of our residents, co-workers, visitors, and state property at the community facility.

Daily tasks include ensuring safe facility operations, patrolling grounds, crime prevention, first responder to incidents, custody duties, conducting investigations, and assisting with the control and transport of clients under security when required.

We Are Hiring For Full And Part-Time Positions! Reach Out The Human Resources Contact Below For More Information, Or Prior To Applying:

• For Full-Time positions, ensure the position details list “Permanent, Full Time” as job type. Apply here: JC-504099
• For Part-Time positions, ensure the position details list “Permanent, Intermittent” as job type.

The Department now offers an entrance salary rate of $6,462.00 for the Peace Officer I classification.

Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of two percent in exchange for 3.5 hours per month of the Personal Leave.

A Permanent Intermittent employee's PLP 2025 credit shall be prorated based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

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

Working Conditions

Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.

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-504116

Position #(s): 472-290-1954-XXX

Working Title: Police Officer

Classification: PEACE OFFICER I, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

Salary range: $6,462.00 - $7,719.00

Number of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Tulare County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent Intermittent - 1500 Hours

Facility: Porterville Developmental Center

Department Information: Department of Developmental Services (Department) is a California state agency providing services and support to over 450,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, autism, epilepsy, and related conditions. Within the Department, the Porterville Developmental Center (PDC) has been a cornerstone in providing compassionate care and support to just over 200 individuals with I/DD since 1953. As one of the main state-operated facilities under the Department, PDC offers 24-hour residential services for adults with serious medical or behavioral issues related to I/DD. Our mission is to deliver person-centered support through a dedicated interdisciplinary team, including physicians, psychologists, nurses, and more. We provide comprehensive services such as health care, education, work training, and preparation for independent living. PDC is licensed by the California Department of Public Health to offer general acute medical, skilled nursing, and intermediate care services. We specialize in serving individuals with severe I/DD, including those requiring secure treatment programs.

Special Requirements

• Valid California Driver’s License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.
• Certificate of completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic academy from a POST-certified police academy.
• Must have successfully passed a drug screening, medical exam, thorough background investigation, and psychological exam prior to being hired.
• POST eligible candidates must be employed by a POST participating agency within 3-years, and maintain POST status; or,
• POST qualified candidates who have had a 3-year or longer break from a POST participating agency must complete a requalification course. Information for the requalification requirement can be found on the POST website.

The Office of Protective Services (OPS) is a Law Enforcement Agency. After the background check clears, the applicant will be appointed to the position. This is a sworn Peace Officer position pursuant to California Penal Code section 830.38. Successful candidates will undergo a complete background investigation, in accordance with the Commission on POST requirements. This background check includes interviews of employment and personal references, and FBI, DMV, and California DOJ fingerprint. The selected applicant must complete a notarized waiver for access to their personal records.

Required:

• POST Basic Academy certificate must be attached to the application.
• Copy of current California Driver’s License.
• All appointments are subject to pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearance.

If you have not taken an examination you must take and pass the Peace Officer I examination located at: https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1960

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of the law enforcement Code of Ethics and the Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility as it is applied to uniformed peace officers.
• Ability to interview a variety of victims and witnesses with varied physical, emotional, and mental disabilities and limited ability to communicate.
• Ability to remain calm and respond to situations or emergencies using sound judgment to adopt an effective course of action that ensures the protection of persons and property.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and rules as they apply to the criminal and administrative procedures that are within the scope of treatment and care of individuals with disabilities.
• Experience working in an environment with individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities with severe chronic behavioral or medical problems.

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

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

Human Resources Contact:

Mimi Hairford

[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

Kerrie Sawyer

[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

The cut-off dates for this recruitment will be as follows: September 7th and November 9th, 2026, and January 8th, 2027.

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

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.

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.