UNIT SUPERVISOR (SAFETY)

State of California; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 103,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid holidays

Hybrid work option

CalPERS retirement

Job summary

State of California – Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero seeks a Unit Supervisor (Safety) to lead nursing staff on a secure treatment unit, supervise patient care, and ensure adherence to policies and safety standards. This permanent, full-time role in San Luis Obispo County offers a monthly salary of $9,238.00 to $10,282.00 and may include hybrid telework; final filing date is 9/24/2026.

Eligibility includes nursing licensure by CA, background and medical clearances, and compliance with

Qualifications

• Eligibility via certification list, transfer, or reinstatement.
• Background and medical clearance required prior to hire.
• CA RN License or Psychiatric Technician License required.

Responsibilities

• Schedule nursing staff to meet coverage and monitor overtime.
• Direct activities of nursing personnel on the unit.
• Ensure safety standards and regulatory compliance on the unit.
• Oversee delivery of treatments and medications per policy.

Skills

Nursing supervision

Staff scheduling

Security oversight

Emergency response

Education

CA RN License

Psychiatric Technician License

Job description

Unit Supervisor (Safety)
UNIT SUPERVISOR (SAFETY)

$9,238.00 - $10,282.00 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: 9/24/2026

Job Description and Duties

The permanent/full time Unit Supervisor (Safety) will be directed by Program Management via the Nursing Coordinator or Program Assistant at the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Schedules nursing staff on the unit to meet standards of coverage and reviews unit overtime, use of unscheduled time off, and initiate corrective action, as needed.
• Schedules and directs the activities of nursing service personnel assigned to a level of care unit during a 24-hour period.
• Supervises and ensures subordinate staff are accounting for all utensils to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting and shaking down patients for hazardous contraband and inspecting unit for possible security breaches that may signal an impending escape attempt.
• Takes an active role in implementing operations to meet departmental and hospital EEO standards.
• Assures performance standards are met, as required by hospital policy and relevant State law, through the annual performance evaluation process.
• Responsible for unit operations, which includes effectively communicating and ensuring staff are following Administrative Directives, Nursing Procedures and Program Policies.
• Monitors and maintains unit compliance with JCAHO and Licensure standards.
• Ensures audit systems are in place and used on their unit for procedures including restraint/seclusion, security inspections, daybooks, shakedown logs, and RN/PT required documentation and monitors these on a regular basis for compliance.
• Reviews Emergency Drills, Fire Drills, Pharmacy audits, SIR’s and associated reports.
• Responsible for twenty-four-hour supervision of a treatment unit in maintaining a clean, safe, secure, non-violent environment.
• Adjusts regular schedule to provide leadership and supervision on the unit periodically and during critical situations or when directed by Program Management.
• Promotes effective interdisciplinary treatment teamwork and establishes an environment conducive to the framework of Biopsychosocial Rehabilitation.
• Supervises the delivery of treatments and medications and ensuring all policies are being followed.
• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of Trauma Informed Care (TIC) and correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI), that includes patient containment, heavy lifting, applying restraints, and responding to emergency situations throughout the hospital. Investigates and adjusts or recommends solutions to complaints from forensic patients.
• Familiarity with applicable nursing service bargaining contracts; monitors supervisory interventions on their unit to prevent potential labor contract violations.
• Cooperative and positive in work group meetings and able to effectively communicate information to staff.

Eligibility: To be considered for this career opportunity, applicants must have eligibility by way of one of the following: reachable on a certification list, have transfer eligibility, or have reinstatement eligibility. It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the minimum qualifications specified in the examination bulletin/classification specifications. If you do not have eligibility, you must take the exam. The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.

Working Conditions

This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).
This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the department and is subject to change as business needs arise.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• UNIT SUPERVISOR (SAFETY)

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

San Luis Obispo County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is a secure public sector hospital providing inpatient forensic services for mentally ill adult males who are court committed throughout the State of California. Located on the central coast of California, the Department of State Hospitals – Atascadero is in the vicinity of destination locations such as San Luis Obispo, Paso Robles and Morro Bay, with easy access to beautiful beaches, serene natural settings and many historical landmarks. We invite you to join our professional and talented workforce.

• 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.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) CA Registered Nurse or CA Psychiatric Technician License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Benefits

There are many benefits to joining our team! The State of California offers a generous benefits package, including but not limited to:

• Medical Benefits (health, dental, and vision)
• Work life balance (some positions qualify for flexible work hours and schedules, and a minimum of 10 days of paid leave annually – specific accrual rates can be found here )
• Paid Holidays and leave (family medical leave, military leave, etc)
• Defined benefit retirement program with CalPERS
• Savings Plus Program (401(k), 457)
• School loan forgiveness under federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Commute Program
• Employee Wellness Program (discounts to health clubs)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Medical/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
• ScholarShare (college savings account)
• On-the-job training and professional development
• Most positions qualify for annual raises until you reach the maximum salary for that position, subject to meeting performance standards

Additional 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.

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.

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

• Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
• Applications postmarked on the final filing date will be accepted.
• Scanned, copied, or faxed applications will not be accepted.
• Applications will be screened and only the most competitive will be offered an interview.
• Any limited-term appointments may transition in to a permanent appointment.
• Selected candidates will be required to submit to a criminal history review utilizing Live Scan fingerprinting.
• This position requires candidates to pass a Medical Evaluation. You will be required to submit to a Medical Evaluation and receive clearance 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.