REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (ART)

California Department of Developmental Services; California; On-site; USD 89,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Retirement benefits

State employee benefits information

Job summary

California Department of Developmental Services seeks Rehabilitation Therapists for the Stabilization Training Assistance Reintegration (STAR) Acute Crisis Homes. STAR supports adolescents and adults with developmental disabilities in four to five bed community homes in Vacaville, Springville and Costa Mesa.

Role involves assisting with daily living activities, providing emotional support, and promoting independence in a person-centered setting.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of rehabilitation therapy principles for developmental disabilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively and document data clearly.
• Experience supporting individuals with behavioral and psychiatric conditions.

Responsibilities

• Assist individuals with activities of daily living and promote independence.
• Provide emotional support and a safe, supportive environment.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in community homes.
• Travel to Northern and Southern California as needed.

Skills

Rehabilitation therapy knowledge

Person-centered care

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Job description

Job Description And Duties

The Department of Developmental Services (Department) is seeking compassionate and dedicated individuals to join their team at the Stabilization Training Assistance Reintegration (STAR) Acute Crisis Homes. As a member of the STAR team, you will work to provide support to individuals with developmental disabilities during times of acute crisis. This role requires individuals who are passionate about person-centered care, and who are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities. STAR currently provides assistance to adolescents (11-17 years old) and adults (18 years of age and older) who are receiving regional center services. The STAR homes are four to five bed homes in community settings (Vacaville, Springville, and Costa Mesa).

As a member of the Department STAR team, you will work in a community home setting where you will be responsible for assisting individuals with activities of daily living, providing emotional support, and promoting independence. This is an incredibly rewarding position for individuals who are passionate about helping others and who want to make a positive impact in their community. If you are looking for a career where you can truly make a difference, then we encourage you to apply for a role with the Department STAR Acute Crisis Homes today.

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.

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

Working Conditions

Must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability to perform the duties contained in this duty statement. Must be able to work with individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g. autistic spectrum disorder, intellectual disability) and severe behavioral (e.g. aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and elopement) and psychiatric conditions and symptoms (e.g. psychosis, mood disorders, PTSD, and suicidal ideation). Must be able to travel to locations throughout Northern (for N. STAR) and Southern (for S. STAR) California. Travel may require over-night stays.

This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.

Pursuant to California Government Code requirements, candidates must be residents of the State of California at the time of appointment.

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-535575

Position #(s): 472-811-8414-001

Working Title: Rehabilitation Therapist

Classification: REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (ART)

$8,010.00 - $9,433.00 U

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

Shall Consider: REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (MUSIC)

$8,010.00 - $9,433.00 U

REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (RECREATION)

$8,010.00 - $9,433.00 U

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Orange County

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.

Please direct questions to: [e-mail]

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.
• The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance 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: Principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature of Rehabilitation Therapy services, especially those relating to mental, physical, developmental, and/or geriatric disabilities, knowledge of the process of restoration, maintenance and development of capabilities, knowledge of the principles of mental health education, the scope and activities of private and public health and welfare agencies, characteristics of mental, emotional, physical, and developmental disorders, current trends in mental health, public health and public welfare, federal and state programs in these fields.

Ability to: Utilize and effectively apply required knowledge, establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of persons contacted in the workplace, ability to secure accurate clinical data and record such data systematically, compose clear, accurate and concise reports, interpret statistical data, analyze situations accurately and take effective action, ability to communicate effectively.

Benefits

As a state employee working for the Department, 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The cut-off dates for this job posting are:

10/28/2026

11/11/2026

11/25/2026

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.

If you have not taken an 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.

REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (ART)

REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (MUSIC)

REHABILITATION THERAPIST, STATE FACILITIES (RECREATION)

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.