Community Peace Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description and Duties
Are you looking to join an agency that is making an impact in the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD)? Leverage your training and experience in helping our residents lead more independent, productive, and dignified lives.
Join the Office of Protective Services (OPS) at the Department of Developmental Services (Department) as a Police Officer and provide specialized law enforcement services at the Canyon Springs Community Facility in Cathedral City, CA.
OPS is a POST-participating agency within DDS, and we are hiring multiple, highly motivated, and empathetic Police Officers to perform law enforcement activities necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of our residents, co-workers, visitors, and state property at the community facility.
Daily tasks include ensuring safe facility operations, patrolling grounds, crime prevention, first responder to incidents, custody duties, conducting investigations, and assisting with the control and transport of clients under security when required.
We are hiring for Full and Part-Time positions! Reach out the Human Resources contact below for more information, or prior to applying:

• For Full-Time positions, ensure the position details list " Permanent, Full Time " as job type.
• For Part-Time positions, ensure the position details list " Permanent, Intermittent " as job type. Apply here: JC-503816

DDS now offers an entrance salary rate of $6,462.00 for the Peace Officer I classification.
Effective July 1, 2025, State employees are subject to a salary reduction of two percent in exchange for 3.5 hours per month of the Personal Leave.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
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.

• PEACE OFFICER I, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-503795
Position #(s):
472-190-1954-XXX
Working Title:
Police Officer
Classification:
PEACE OFFICER I, DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER $6,462.00 - $7,719.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Riverside County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Department of Developmental Services is a California state agency providing services and support to over 450,000 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, autism, epilepsy, and related conditions.
Canyon Springs is located in Cathedral City, Riverside County, 110 miles southeast of Los Angeles in the Coachella Valley. Recreation/cultural attractions include golf, tennis, desert preserves, parks, rock climbing, hiking, biking, museums, art galleries, and theater. Next door is well-known city of Palm Springs. Although known as a winter resort area, increasing numbers are making the Coachella Valley their year-round home. There are schools and shopping nearby.
Facility Website: Canyon Springs : CA Department of Developmental Services
Department Website: http://www.dds.ca.gov
Special Requirements
This position requires the following prior to being hired:

• Valid California Driver's 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.
• Certificate of completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) basic academy from a POST-certified police academy.
• Must have successfully passed a drug screening, medical exam, thorough background investigation, and psychological exam prior to being hired.
• POST eligible candidates must be employed by a POST participating agency within 3-years, and maintain POST status; or,
• POST qualified candidates who have had a 3-year or longer break from a POST participating agency must complete a requalification course. Information for the requalification requirement can be found on the POST website .

The Office of Protective Services (OPS) is a Law Enforcement Agency. After the background check clears, the applicant will be appointed to the position. This is a sworn Peace Officer position pursuant to California Penal Code section 830.38. Successful candidates will undergo a complete background investigation, in accordance with the Commission on POST requirements. This background check includes interviews of employment and personal references, and FBI, DMV, and California DOJ fingerprint. The selected applicant must complete a notarized waiver for access to their personal records.
Required:

• POST Basic Academy certificate must be attached to the application.
• Copy of current California Driver's License.
• All appointments are subject to pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearance.

If you have not taken an examination you must take and pass the Peace Officer I examination located at:
https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHrPublic/Exams/ExamBulletin.aspx?ExamControlId=1960
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 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 - Canyon Springs Community State Facility
N/A
Attn: Mimi Hairford
69-696 Ramon Road
Cathedral City , CA 92234
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Developmental Services - Canyon Springs Community State Facility
N/A
Mimi Hairford
69-696 Ramon Road
Cathedral City , CA 92234
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.
• Other - POST Certification

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:
Candidates with the following desirable qualifications may be given priority in the selection process:

• Knowledge of the law enforcement Code of Ethics and the Code of Professional Conduct and Responsibility as it is applied to uniformed peace officers.
• Ability to interview a variety of victims and witnesses with varied physical, emotional, and mental disabilities and limited ability to communicate.
• Ability to remain calm and respond to situations or emergencies using sound judgment to adopt an effective course of action that ensures the protection of persons and property.
• Knowledge of applicable federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and rules as they apply to the criminal and administrative procedures that are within the scope of treatment and care of individuals with disabilities.
• Experience working in an environment with individuals who have intellectual or developmental disabilities with severe chronic behavioral or medical problems.

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: http://www.dds.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Mimi Hairford
(916) 654-3378
mimi.hairford@dds.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:
Stephanie Covington
(760) 770-6230
Stephanie.Covington@cs.dds.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
The cut-off dates for this recruitment will be the second Monday of the month as follows: September 7th and November 9th, 2026, and January 8th, 2027.
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.
All appointments are subject to State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), Re-employment List procedures, pre-employment physical and fingerprint clearances. Further information on the definition of the above may be found on the California Department of Human Resources' website at: www.calhr.ca.gov
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 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