PEACE OFFICER I, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

California Department of Developmental Services; California; On-site; USD 72,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

State benefits

Job summary

The California Department of Developmental Services seeks Police Officers to provide specialized law enforcement at Canyon Springs Community Facility in Cathedral City, Riverside County, ensuring safety for residents, staff and state property. Daily duties include patrols, first response, investigations and custody tasks.

Full-time and part-time openings are available. Requires POST certification and a California driver’s license.

Qualifications

• POST Basic Academy certification required.
• Valid California Driver’s License.
• Experience in law enforcement or related field.
• Ability to perform patrols, investigations, and custody duties.

Responsibilities

• Patrol the facility grounds and respond to incidents.
• Conduct investigations and assist with client transportation when needed.
• Ensure safe facility operations and protect residents, staff, and property.
• Collaborate with colleagues and follow POST standards and procedures.

Skills

POST Basic Academy

Driver's License

Law enforcement

Patrol duties

Job description

Job Description And Duties

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 the Canyon Springs Community Facility in Cathedral City, CA.

OPS is a POST-participating agency within DDS, 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:

DDS 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.

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-503816

Position #(s): 472-190-1954-XXX

Working Title: Police Officer

Classification: PEACE OFFICER I, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

Salary: $6,462.00 - $7,719.00

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Work Location: Riverside County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Permanent Intermittent - 1500 Hours

Department Information: Department of Developmental Services is a California state agency providing services and support to over 450,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, and related conditions. Canyon Springs is located in Cathedral City, Riverside County, 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles in the Coachella Valley. Recreation/cultural attractions include golf, tennis, desert preserves, parks, rock climbing, hiking, biking, museums, art galleries, and theater. Next door is well-known city of Palm Springs. Although known as a winter resort area, increasing numbers are making the Coachella Valley their year-round home. There are schools and shopping nearby. Facility Website: Canyon Springs : CA Department of Developmental Services. Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov

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.

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.

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.

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

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: Stephanie Covington [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 job posting will be as follows: September 7th and November 9th, 2026, and January 8th, 2027.

Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.

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.