Psychiatric Technician

Job Description and Duties

At the Department of Developmental Services (Department) State-Operated Facilities Division (SOFD), we are always looking for innovating approaches to meet evolving needs of our staff and consumers. The Stabilization Training Assistance Re-Integration (STAR) homes are staffed 24/7 and provide individuals with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities experiencing an acute crisis, to live and learn in an environment that will enable them to successfully return home or transition to less restrictive living settings in the community. The staff within the home strive to empower individuals through person centered approaches to lead self-determined lives. 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).

If you are looking for a job that allows you to make positive impact on individuals, the STAR homes will be a great place to work. We are seeking individuals that will engage individuals with a wide range of interests, while modeling safe and healthy living behaviors in a home environment. The Psychiatric Technician (PT) provides general behavioral training and psychiatric nursing care to STAR consumers. The PT will perform on-site direct care, training, and participate in recreational activities with consumers. The PT will provide cross-training to the consumer’s community home staff or family to maintain a continuity of care. The PT will also be responsible for maintaining credentials in required or a Psychiatric Technician license and attend required trainings.

Effective October 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 .

Working Conditions

On-going interaction with individuals with developmental disabilities and/or severe psychiatric and behavioral conditions at STAR residence and community activities. Potential exposure to communicable diseases, blood-borne pathogens, medicinal preparations, and other conditions common to a clinical nursing environment. Work may include planned and scheduled travel with possible over-night stays. May be required to work mandatory overtime and/or at various sites as needed to meet staffing requirements, including extended hours and/or varying shifts.

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.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers 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.
• 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.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Psychiatric Technician License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Possess a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certificate within 12 months of employment. In order to acquire your RBT certificate, you must provide a copy of a high school diploma or verification of completion of high school equivalent.

Possess a valid Psychiatric Technician license, issued by the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician Examiners.

It is the applicant responsibility to submit verification and/or proof of a valid license and/or certification.

Upon appointment, must successfully complete competency-based Direct Support Professional training I and II, or pass the challenge test, prior to or within one year of employment.

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: Cultural sensitivity for the population being served, positive behavioral supports, trauma informed care, coaching skills training, person centered practices, and how to utilize less restrictive techniques to address behavioral issue. Possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability to perform the duties contained in this duty statement. At least six months’ prior experience providing direct care to individuals with developmental disabilities who have challenging behavior service needs is highly preferred.

Ability 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); lift 50 pounds without assistance, perform and be competent in self-defense and hands-on intervention training, including two-person wall containment with resistive consumers; and complete all required trainings.

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:

website and the website.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The next cut-off dates for this job posting are:

09/10/2026
09/24/2026
10/08/2026

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 the Psychiatric Technician 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.