Branch Chief Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Branch Chief oversees and manages the Legislation and Regulations Branch and is responsible for developing policy and political strategies to advance the Department of Developmental Services (Department) legislative and regulatory agendas. The Branch Chief serves as the liaison maintaining continuous communication for members of the California Legislature, their staff and other governmental entities. The incumbent must have extensive experience in developing state policies, regulations and budgets.
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.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an open-spaced, partitioned office environment. Intermittent daily and statewide travel. Respond to multiple assignments with conflicting priorities and tight timelines and work on a personal computer 50% to 75% of total office time.
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. Incumbent must live and work in California. All commute expenses to the reporting location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate.
This position requires lawful authorization to work in the United States. The Department does not sponsor employment visas for this position.
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.

• C. E. A.

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-521320
Position #(s):
472-541-7500-XXX
Working Title:
Branch Chief
Classification:
C. E. A. $10,349.00 - $12,526.00 A
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:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time
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.
The Department is located in a modern, sustainable and innovative office building at 1215 "O" Street, Sacramento, California. Some amenities of the building include:

• First floor retail space (separate access from 12 th Street)
• Café with multiple vendors
• Outdoor seating for meal breaks
• Employee fitness center which includes a yoga studio, cardio equipment and weights
• Plaza area with kitchenette on each floor
• Lactation rooms

Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov
Special Requirements A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) - The Statement of Qualifications is a discussion of the candidate's education and experience that would qualify him/her for this position, related to the Minimum Qualifications, Knowledge and Abilities, Special Personal Requirements, and Desirable Qualifications. The statement should be no more than two pages in length and no smaller than 12 font.
Applicants are required to respond to pre-determined questions included on the job vacancy announcement, follow all requirements provided in the instructions and submit this document as part of their application along with all other requested documents. Failure to provide an SOQ and follow instructions can result in the applicant being disqualified from the hiring process. A resume and/or cover letter do not take place of an SOQ.
The Legislation and Regulations Branch develops policy and political strategies to advance the Department of Developmental Services' legislative and regulatory agendas. In your own words, please:

• Provide specific examples of your education, training, and professional experience that demonstrate your qualifications for this position.

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: 7/4/2026
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 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 Developmental Services - Headquarters
N/A
Attn: Huyen Nguyen
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
Huyen Nguyen
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 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 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.

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.
Examination Qualification Requirements All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.
Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.
General Qualifications
State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.
Knowledge and Abilities
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy - influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:
Must possess the knowledge of The Lanterman Act, developmental disabilities, the regional center (RC) service system, and processes and protocols in California state government. Principles, practices, and trends of public and business administration including management, supportive staff services, and employee supervision.
These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):
CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.
CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.
CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.
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: California's legislative, budgeting and regulatory processes, processes and protocols in California state government, formal and informal aspects of the legislative process, the Lanterman Act, developmental disabilities, the regional center service system, communication methods. Principles, practices and trends of public and business administration including management, supportive staff services, and employee supervision. Administration and departmental goals and policies.
Ability to: Supervise and train staff. Develop and maintain cooperative and harmonious relationships with Department and regional center staff, members of the Legislature, legislative staff, stakeholders, the public and others; work with professional personnel in the field relating to coordinating and developing services for persons with developmental needs. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action. Speak and write effectively and reason logically and creatively. Analyze data and present information and ideas effectively. Review and edit written reports and establish and maintain project priorities.
Examination Information
If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.
A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.
The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.
Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.
The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.
Special Testing Arrangements If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.
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.
Additional Information
Electronic application submission is highly encouraged.
Remove Any 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 numbe