PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY)

Job Posting: Program Director- Various Programs

Department of State Hospitals

JC-519065

• Program Director- Various Programs

PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY)

$9,741.00 - $11,334.00 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: 6/5/2026

Application Methods:

Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)

By Mail

Drop-off

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Job Description and Duties

The Program Director (MD-Safety) - Various Programs will be directed by the Clinical Administrator at the Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero (ASH). The incumbent will be responsible for the following duties but not limited to:

• Continue to maintain standards related to oversight agency requirements, including, but not limited to: CRIPA, Joint Commission, Licensure, and environmental health.

• Promote an environment of non-violence and safe work practices.

• Ensure the provision of a treatment system geared to meet the needs and dispositional tracks of the patients. Ensure appropriate protocols, treatment activities, and accurate documentation processes.

• Ensure an environment conducive to meeting the hospital's treatment goals

• Applies and demonstrates knowledge of correct methods in Therapeutic Strategies and Interventions (TSI). Assist in the maintenance of a safe and secure environment through response to physical assaults, escape attempts, or other major patient disturbance, and assist in the management of the conduct of the patients. Responsible for overall management, supervision, and assignment of all staff allocated to the Program.

• The Program Director will continuously monitor use of overtime and registry shifts utilized to cover staff shortages to ensure economic use of staff. Will monitor and assure that 1:1 patient observation is necessary, and all efforts are made to reduce the use of 1:1.

• Ensure that managers/supervisors hold staff accountable to high standards of patient treatment, team participation, and interpersonal respect and provide for the timely completion of individual development plans and performance appraisals.

• Maintain effective relationships with agencies involved in the transition of patients as appropriate to their dispositional track (CONREP, BPH, Superior Court, Parole, etc.).

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.

Click here to take the Program Director (MD-Safety) Exam Bulletin.

Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position requires you to work within the Secured Treatment Area (STA).

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-519065

Position #(s):

455-030-8103-001

Working Title:

Program Director- Various Programs

Classification:

PROGRAM DIRECTOR (MENTAL DISABILITIES-SAFETY)

$9,741.00 - $11,334.00 R

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:

San Luis Obispo County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Facility:

DSH - Atascadero

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.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• 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.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) Directions:

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is REQUIRED and MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Failure to provide an SOQ or not accurately responding to SOQ questions will result in disqualification from the hiring process.

• Typed, no more than three pages in length, and in 12-point Arial font.
• Explain how your knowledge, experience, and leadership practices make you the most desirable candidate to serve in this position.
• Describe your leadership skills and experience creating an effective, motivated, and balanced team.
• Describe your experience with conflict resolution and how effective it was, or if ineffective, what you would have done differently to make it effective.

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: 6/5/2026

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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Postal

Attn: DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

PO Box 7005

Atascadero, CA 93423-7005

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

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

Department of State Hospitals

DSH - Atascadero Drop Off

DSH - Atascadero Employment Office

10333 El Camino Real

Atascadero, CA 93422

08:00 AM - 04:30 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 www.CalCareers.ca.gov. 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 MUST be submitted with your application to be considered for this position. Please read the Special Requirements section for directions on what must be included in your SOQ.

• Statement of Qualifications - If using State Civil Service Out of Class (OOC) experience to meet minimum qualifications, you MUST provide a copy of the approved OOC Completion Memorandum certifying your OOC experience. Failure to submit the required documents will result in the OOC experience not being applied towards meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification. If you are not basing your eligibility on Out of Class experience, you may instead use the bypass option (when applying, select Choose/Upload for the required document and then select Bypass File).

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

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.

These webpages are intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base, and length of appointment.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov

Human Resources Contact:

DSH-Atascadero Employment Office

(805) 468-3384

ASHEmployment@dsh.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:

Pearl Melena

(805) 468-2007

Pearl.Melena@dsh.ca.gov

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.
• If it is determined that an applicant does not meet the minimum qualifications, the applicant's name may be removed from the eligibility list.
• 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.