C. E. A.

Job Description and Duties

**This position is pending CalHR approval.**

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is seeking an enthusiastic and qualified individual to serve as the Assistant Deputy Director (ADD) of the Specialized Services Division (SSD). The ideal candidate has excellent communication skills and organizational skills and is effective in managing through change. In addition, the candidate should be collaborative, responsive, creative, flexible, innovative, and open to different opinions and cultures and possessing a strong belief in the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities.

People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Under the direction of the Deputy Director of the Specialized Services, the Assistant Deputy Director provides oversight and leadership to the Specialized Services Division. The Assistant Deputy Director is a member of the executive team and will apply and model the core values of DOR as well as the leadership competencies of the California Health and Human Services Agency.

The Assistant Deputy Director, in a highly sensitive arena, will advise and assist the Deputy Director of the Specialized Services Division, Chief Deputy Director, and/or the Director in the formulation, evaluation, and implementation, of departmental programs, policies, and procedures; serve as a Division liaison with other state, federal, and local entities; provide executive leadership and guidance to program managers; develop processes to improve DOR’s ability to meet and exceed the required federal and state performance measures; advance projects and goals for the Division; and guide the development of policies and procedures governing the Division’s programs.

The Assistant Deputy Director, in partnership with the Deputy Director of the Specialized Services Division, will provide supportive oversight and leadership of the Blind Field Services District, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Section, Business Enterprises Program, Orientation Center for the Blind, and the Older Individuals who are Blind Program.

The Assistant Deputy Director assures the activities and policies of the Division programs are consistent with the Directorate's strategic vision and goals for providing services to individuals with disabilities in California.

The Assistant Deputy Director is a member of DOR's executive leadership team along with the Director, Chief Deputy Director, other Deputy Directors and Chief Counsel and has a key role in leadership and administration of the organization. The executive leadership team works together for continuous improvement and to meet the changing needs of the people of the State of California.

The ideal candidate's current staff and managers would describe the candidate as having excellent communication skills, as managing change well and being collaborative, responsive, innovative, inspirational, and open to different opinions and cultures. The ideal candidate has a history of critically examining practices and policies, team building, identifying new ways of conducting business through outreach to staff and stakeholders, including advisory bodies, and maximizes limited resources. The ideal candidate will develop innovative strategies to support the various programs and services, succession planning, and the Department’s diversity goals. The ideal candidate recognizes that processes, while valuable for efficiency, transparency and accountability, must support sound public policy by allowing flexibility and judgement.

Up to 25% travel is required in order to build and maintain relationships with DOR stakeholders, community partners, and staff.

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Special Requirements

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ)

In addition to the State Examination/Employment Application (STD 678), applicants are required to submit an SOQ. Applications received without a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) will be disqualified. Cover letters and resumes do not take the place of the SOQ.

The following guidelines must be followed when completing the SOQ:

• Include the title, “Statement of Qualifications,” at the top of the first page.
• Responses must be no more than three pages in length and in no less than Arial 12-point font size.
• Address and number each statement of qualification in the same order as listed below and include specific examples.

In your SOQ, address the following:

1.    What do you believe are the most critical challenges facing leaders in providing vocational rehabilitation services to people with sensory disabilities, and how have you supported them?

2.    Describe your professional experience leading an organization through a significant change. How did you navigate the challenges, maintain stability, build trust and ensure performance and accountability during that time?

3.    Describe in detail your experience collaborating across systems at the statewide level to achieve common goals. Give an example of how you were able to leverage these relationships for the benefit of shared customers, with specific details about your role in the process.

4.    Describe your experience developing and supporting leaders and managers overseeing multiple service delivery teams. How have you helped them build their leadership capacity and bench strength? Give specific examples.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 8/28/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Rehabilitation

Exams

Attn: Mane Xiong

721 Capitol Mall

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Rehabilitation

Exams

Mane Xiong

721 Capitol Mall

Sacramento , CA 95814

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

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 -

  Please see the Special Requirements section for specific SOQ requirements.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Benefits

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

This position offers a substantial benefits package including retirement benefits and health, dental, and vision coverage. 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 application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website:

Human Resources Contact:
Mane Xiong
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Gurmeena Rai
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

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.

EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov
View email address on calcareers.ca.gov

California Relay Service: View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (TTY), View phone number on calcareers.ca.gov (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.