PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN (SAFETY)

State of California; California; On-site; USD 68,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

California Correctional Health Care Services is seeking a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, CA. The role provides basic nursing and behavioral health care under RN supervision and collaborates with the medical team to ensure timely patient care.

This limited-term, full-time position offers responsibilities across correctional health settings, with a focus on safety and treatment within a structured, regulated environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide a basic level of general nursing and behavioral/psychiatric care to patients under supervision.
• Coordinate with the health care team to ensure timely and appropriate health services.
• Support daily operations and communicate effectively with patients and staff.

Job description

California Correctional Health Care Services

JC-537177 -

Psychiatric Technician (Safety)

$6,134.00 - $7,843.00 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: 11/12/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented in response to the status of the State budget. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 18, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes. Part‑time employees are subject to the same conditions as full‑time employees, on a prorated basis equivalent to their time‑base. Permanent intermittent employees are subject to the same condition as full‑time employees, based on the number of hours worked in the pay period.

This is a limited term position which may be extended or become permanent.

Under the supervision of the Supervising Registered Nurse II/III, Correctional Facility, Unit Supervisor (Safety), or Senior Psychiatric Technician (Safety), the Psychiatric Technician (PT) (Safety) organizes and provides a basic level of general nursing and behavioral and psychiatric nursing care to patients in accordance with the Mental Health Program Guide, policies and procedures, and regulations in a variety of correctional health care settings. The PT (Safety), pursuant to the PT scope of practice and in collaboration with the health care team, ensures the delivery of appropriate and timely health care to patients. The PT (Safety) provides basic level of general nursing and behavioral and psychiatric nursing care to patients under valid authorization by a provider’s order and the delegation and clinical direction of the Registered Nurse (RN), provides support to the care team for daily health care operations, and communicates effectively with patients and other members of the health care team. The PT (Safety) is responsible for addressing the ongoing needs of patients, working with the members of the larger health care team, and promoting the efficient, appropriate, and cost‑effective use of health care resources.

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

Working Conditions

Travel may be required.

Minimum Requirements

• PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN (SAFETY)

Classification

PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN (SAFETY) $6,134.00 - $7,843.00 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: Kern County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Facility: Kern Valley State Prison

Department Information

Vision

We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Mission

To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug‑free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.

CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.

Across our organization, our programs work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR and CCHCS mission.

This advertisement is for a Psychiatric Technician (Safety) position(s) located at Kern Valley State Prison in Delano, CA, located in Kern County. Please indicate the position number on your application: 915-213-8253-XXX.

Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.

Please 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.

Possession of Minimum Qualifications (MQ) will be verified prior to interview and or appointment. If you are meeting MQ’s with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQ’s, the candidate will 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 State Personnel Board.

Candidates new to CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting.

Tuberculosis (TB) testing is required for candidates new to CCHCS prior to appointment followed by department annual TB testing/evaluation thereafter.

When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.

CCHCS utilizes E-Verify to confirm candidate’s identity and employment authorization. For more information about E-Verify, you may go to www.e-verify.gov.

This advertisement may be used for other vacancies that occur during the life of this recruitment.

Employment History on the STD. 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. To prepare for the State Application process, please visit Work4CA: State Application Checklist.

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Other -

  License: Possession of a valid license to practice as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the BVNPTE. (Applicants who are within four months of completing the Psychiatric Technician curriculum accredited by the BVNPTE will be admitted to the examination, but they must secure this license before they will be eligible for appointment.)

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:

This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.

Contact Information

Department Website: https://cchcs.ca.gov/careers

Hiring Unit Contact:

Maritza Chavez

[phone] ext: 7822

[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 to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

CCHCS EEO Office

(000) -

[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.

PRIORITY CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO RE-EMPLOYMENT, DEPARTMENTAL RESTRICTION OF APPOINTMENT, STATE RESTRICTION OF APPOINTMENT, AND SURPLUS CANDIDATES.

All methods of appointment may be considered.

The position(s) require(s) a Drug Screening be passed prior to being hired.

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.