Job Posting: Assistant Deputy Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division CEA A

Department of Rehabilitation

JC-530379
-
Assistant Deputy Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division CEA A
C. E. A.

$10,349.00 - $12,526.00 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: 9/15/2026

Job Description and Duties

The California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is seeking an enthusiastic and qualified individual to serve as the Assistant Deputy Director (ADD) of the Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division (VRED). 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 VRED, the ADD has the authority and responsibility for supporting the operations of the division’s regional districts, delivering vocational rehabilitation services to Californians with disabilities. The ADD provides direct supervision and support for Regional Directors within the division who oversee VR teams across their districts and are responsible for the overall quality of VR services and community partnerships in their regions. This support includes guidance, direction, and thought partnership on personnel issues, program performance, and stakeholder concerns. The ADD may also oversee teams who support the division and teams working on special projects.


Travel is required in order to build and maintain relationships within the DOR’s regional service districts, both with staff and managers as well as with business owners, non-profit organizations and local education agencies, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) core agencies, and state and local workforce development boards.


While much of the work is expected to occur in Sacramento, the ADD may be able to perform work remotely (but within California) for prolonged periods of time. As such, the position might be out-stationed (only within California) in-part or fully, for recruitment purposes.

1 of the 2 positions is Pending CalHR Approval


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

Working Conditions

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

 

The majority of the work will take place in one of the following locations with consumers, the public, colleagues, and other stakeholders: a DOR open office setting in a cubicle environment, offsite in the community, at events and various partner locations, and/or at an approved alternate work location. The incumbent must have the ability to work in an office setting for up to 40 hours per week and remain at a workstation for extended periods while utilizing a personal computer, peripherals, and other office equipment with or without accommodation. The incumbent will be working in an office setting with both natural and artificial lighting. Strong interpersonal skills are required to interact effectively with consumers, the public, colleagues, and other stakeholders.

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

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-530379
Position #(s):
813-031-7500-XXX
Working Title:
Assistant Deputy Director, Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Division CEA A
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:
2
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

If you are interested in becoming a part of a diverse and inclusive workforce where talent, experience, and expertise are valued, the DOR invites you to apply for this employment opportunity.


The DOR administers the largest vocational rehabilitation program in the country. We have a three-pronged mission to provide services and advocacy that assist people with disabilities to live independently, become employed, and have equality in the communities in which they live and work. DOR provides consultation, counseling, and vocational rehabilitation as well as independent living programs, and works with community partners to assist the consumers we serve.


DOR is committed to recruiting and retaining a talented and skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of communities that exist in California and values fairness and inclusion. Diversity encompasses characteristics including disability, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, language, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, veteran status, criminal history, and family structures.


Our work at DOR is guided by the following core values:

  • We believe in the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities.
  • We invest in the future through creativity, ingenuity, and innovation.
  • We ensure our decisions and actions are informed by interested individuals and groups.
  • We pursue excellence through continuous improvement.
  • We preserve the public’s trust through compassionate and responsible provision of services.

VISION STATEMENT:
Employment, independence, and quality for all Californians with disabilities.


MISSION STATEMENT:
DOR works in partnership with consumers and other stakeholders to provides services and advocacy resulting in employment, independent living, and equality for individuals with disabilities.


People with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.


Department Website: http://www.dor.ca.gov

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications is required. The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is a narrative discussion of how your knowledge and abilities, education, training, experience, and skills meet the desirable qualifications listed in this section. Applications received without the 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 desirable 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 regional leaders and their management teams within the vocational rehabilitation program across the state, 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: 9/15/2026

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 Rehabilitation
Exams
Attn: Brittany Ramos
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
Brittany Ramos
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 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. Please see the Special Requirements section 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:

  1. Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s equal employment opportunity objectives; and a manager’s role in the equal employment opportunity program.
  2. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures, and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s equal employment opportunity objectives.

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:
  • Committed to equity for individuals with disabilities, including right to employment and independence;
  • Excellence in all facets of staff development, including coaching, recruitment, performance management, retention and succession planning; leads with influence that comes from fostering confidence in their leadership team;
  • Innovative, creative, driven approach to problem solving;
  • Collaborates with staff, other managers and stakeholders;
  • Knowledgeable of the barriers that individuals with disabilities encounter in becoming and staying employed;
  • Experienced in managing a budget and developing and administering contracts;
  • Knowledgeable of the functions of California State Government including the budget process and creation of law;
  • Understands DOR programs and generally, the federal and state laws that apply.

Examination Information

This examination will consist of Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) evaluations and possible interviews. The SOQ may be the only basis for your final score and rank on the eligible list.

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

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: http://www.dor.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Brittany Ramos
(916) 558-5576
brittany.ramos@dor.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Kalanni Cruz
(916) 496-1228
kalanni.cruz@dor.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
(916) 558-5850
Civil.Rights@dor.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.

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.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job