PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT

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 a 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 Assistant (PTA) provides general behavioral training and psychiatric nursing care to STAR consumers. The PTA will perform on-site direct care, training, and participate in recreational activities with consumers. The PTA will provide cross-training to the consumer's community home staff or family to maintain a continuity of care. The PTA will also be responsible for maintaining credentials in required of a Psychiatric Technician Assistant license and attend required trainings.

The Department now offers an entrance salary rate of $3800.00 for this classification.


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 Duty Statement .

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 overnight stays. May be required to work mandatory overtime as needed to meet staffing requirements.


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.


Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-519853


Position #(s):
472-812-7425-XXX

Working Title:
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT


Classification:
PSYCHIATRIC TECHNICIAN ASSISTANT $3,800.00 - $4,360.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.


# of Positions:
1


Work Location:
Orange County


Telework:
In Office


Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time


Facility:
Department of Developmental Services


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.


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Department Website:


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) Certified Nurse Assistant Certificate. You will be required to provide a copy of your certificate prior to being hired.

CERTIFICATION OR LICENSE: Possession of a valid license to practice as a Certified Nursing Assistant, issued by the California Department of Public Health without restrictions is required, and as a licensed professional, you must maintain a valid certification and comply with all professional conduct requirements within your licensure; acquire and maintain a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification within 365 days of initial employment; successfully complete competency-based training for Direct Support Professional I and II or pass the challenge test prior to or within one year of employment; and be responsible for obtaining the required continuing education units (CEUs) for license renewal and attending mandatory facility training, including Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and Ukeru training.


Application Instructions
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: Until Filled
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).


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 Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Attn: Aira Dandoy
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
Sacramento , CA 95814


Address for Drop-Off Application Packages


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


Department of Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Aira Dandoy
Cert Unit
1215 O Street, MS 10-40
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.

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.


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 : Basic nursing care methods and techniques. Competence in the areas of cultural sensitivity for the population being served, positive behavioral support, trauma informed care, coaching skills training, person-centered practices and utilizing less restrictive techniques to address behavioral issues. At least six months' prior experience providing direct care to individuals with developmental disabilities who have challenging behavior service needs is highly desirable. Possesses and maintain sufficient strength, agility, endurance, and sensory ability to perform the duties contained in this duty statement.


Ability to : Work with individuals with developmental disabilities (e.g. autistic spectrum disorder, intellectual disability) and severe behavior (e.g. aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and elopement) and psychiatric conditions and symptoms (e.g. psychosis, mood disorders, PTSD, and suicidal ideation). Be able to lift 50 pounds without assistance and complete all required training and perform and be competent in self-defense and hands-on intervention training, including two-person wall containment with resistive individuals.


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:


State Employees - CalHR Benefits Website

CalPERS Health Benefit Summary 2026


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.
Department Website:
Human Resources Contact:
Aira Dandoy
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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:
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
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California Relay Service: View phone number on click.appcast.io (TTY), View phone number on click.appcast.io (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.


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 Assistant 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.


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.