Division Manager

Job Description and Duties

Under administrative direction of the Chief Equity Officer and Deputy Director, Access and Equity Division (Division), the Manager II serves as the Division Manager and provides statewide leadership, strategic planning, policy alignment, and oversight of equity-driven programs, ensuring coherent and coordinated implementation across Regional Centers, tribes, and community partners. This position is essential for advancing the Department of Developmental Services' (Department) equity vision by guiding statewide initiatives, supporting program improvement, and ensuring alignment with statutory and departmental priorities. In addition to core leadership responsibilities, the Division Manager supports and oversees the Division's role in the Department Executive Leadership Forum series, manages division consultation processes, and coordinates implementation of equity training funding. This position plays a central role in coordinating Department wide equity strategies and activities, ensuring alignment, accountability, and consistent application of equity principles across programs and operations.

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. 

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You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

Under Government Code 14200, this position is a hybrid, in-office/telework position, and may be subject to change. Incumbent can be required to report to the office, or any designated location at any time. Telework agreements can be modified and/or cancelled at any time. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. 

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.

Intermittent statewide travel may be required.

Special Requirements

The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be numbered in the same order as the following areas, typed in 12-point Arial font, single spaced, and be no more than two pages in length. Applicants who fail to answer the questions or submit an SOQ may not be considered.

1. Describe your experience managing and developing supervisors or managers who oversee programs, contracts, or staff across multiple functional units or program areas. Please describe your role, the scope of the programs involved, and how you ensured consistent performance and accountability across your team. 

2. Describe your experience developing or leading statewide policy, program strategy, or initiatives related to disparities, equity, and/or service access for diverse communities. Explain how you translated that strategy into actionable programs or measurable outcomes.

4. Describe your experience managing an interagency agreement or interagency-funded initiative, or coordinating an executive-level forum, convening, or consultation process involving multiple partners. What was your role, and what did you do to keep the effort on track and aligned across partners?

If you are using list eligibility from an on-line exam to qualify for this position, you MUST include with your application any documentation (i.e., copy of transcript, degree, license, etc.) to verify meeting the MQ’s or you may not be considered for the position. 

The MQs will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the MQs of the classification, the applicant may not be considered and withheld from the eligible list.

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 : Principle and practices of supervising and developing supervisors or managers who themselves oversee statewide programs, contracts, or staff across multiple functional units; diversity, equity, and inclusion issues and research, particularly for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including knowledge of implicit bias, cultural awareness, and culturally competent service delivery; managing interagency agreements or interagency-funded initiatives, coordinating executive-level forums or convenings, and partnering with Human Resources on workplace inclusion and belonging initiatives. Must have a strong understanding of California's developmental disability service delivery system, the Lanterman Act, and state and federal budgeting policies and procedures, with the legislative process; the Master Plan for Developmental Services and the Little Hoover Commission's recommendations on regional center oversight and equity practices is highly desirable, and advanced experience with the development of complex and sensitive written reports, and Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and other software applications to create data displays and infographics.

Ability to : A dvise and communicate effectively with executive management, legislative staff, and community partners; develop complex and sensitive reports; synthesize data from a variety of sources and disciplines to create actionable, data-driven recommendations; meet critical deadlines in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple, competing Division priorities. Bilingual language skills and the ability to engage professionally and tactfully with culturally diverse communities are highly desirable.

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: 

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website. 

Additional Information

Electronic application submission is highly encouraged. 

Multiple positions may be filled from th is 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: .

If you have not taken the Manager II 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. Click here to gain list eligibility.

Required Application Package Documents

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 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.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and is a narrative discussion of how the candidate's education, training, experience, and skills meet the minimum and desirable qualifications and qualify them for the position. The SOQ serves as a documentation of each candidate's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. SEE “SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS” ABOVE FOR INSTRUCTIONS.