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ABOLISHED 04/16/2015 PER PAY LETTER 15-13 - Developmental Specialist (Safety) (8248)

ABOLISHED 04/16/2015 PER PAY LETTER 15-13 - Developmental Specialist (Safety)

California State Personnel Board Specification

  • Schematic Code: TL97
  • Class Code: 8248
  • Established: 04/18/2000
  • Revised: --
  • Title Changed: --

Definition

Under general direction, in a developmental center program providing for the developmentally disabled, to develop and implement new and modify existing physical and social development activities; to provide education and training in physical and social development techniques to unit personnel; to provide specialized direct treatment services to developmentally disordered offenders; and to do other related work.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This class is distinguished from the Developmental Specialist by the custody requirements imposed by the criminal nature of the client population and the security features of the facility.

Typical Tasks

As members of a client treatment team, incumbents participate in multidisciplinary planning for forensic client, patient, or inmate programming; assess forensic client, patient, or inmate treatment needs and progress within his/her area of specialization and relate it to other disciplines with the total treatment program; provide education and leadership to unit personnel in physiological, sociopsychological, and life career development forensic client/patient/inmate-training techniques; assist the nursing coordinator in integrating perceptual, conceptual, language, cognitive, and other training into daily living routines; serve as a source of information on sensory motor and mobility training and other life training performed to improve life and career development of developmentally disordered offenders; consult with program directors and their staff on treatment procedures related to his/her area of specialization; and may work intensively with small groups of developmentally disordered offenders in structured daily activities designed to modify behavior to obtain satisfactory interpersonal relationships and acceptable social standards.

 

Incumbents assist staff with custody tasks, which include: searching for drugs, contraband, and weapons; counting, distributing, and accounting for all utensils to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting forensic clients', patients', or inmates' mail and living areas for hazardous contraband; inspecting facility to identify security breaches that could lead to forensic client, patient, or inmate escape; observing and intervening in forensic client, patient, or inmate behavior that may injure people, damage property, or signal an impending escape attempt; and escorting forensic clients, patients, or inmates to other areas of the facility.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a valid license to practice as a Psychiatric Technician issued by the California Board of Vocational Nurse and Psychiatric Technician Examiners. and Either I One year of experience performing the duties of a Psychiatric Technician in a program for the developmentally disabled in a California developmental center, and the equivalent of a minimum of 12 semester units in a developmental specialist program offered by a community college or in a department training program.

Or II

 

One year of experience performing the duties of a Psychiatric Technician in a program for the mentally disabled in a California state hospital, and the equivalent of 24 semester units of a developmental specialist program offered by a community college or a department training program.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: The problems of developmentally or mentally disabled individuals; principles and techniques of developing developmentally or mentally disabled children, adolescents, and adults such as sensory-motor training, habit training, socialization, and behavior shaping; principles of child growth, development, and behavior; the principles of hygiene and child care.

 

Ability to: Plan and implement physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development programs suited to the needs of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; form close, personal relationships with developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; follow directions; keep appropriate records.

Special Personal Characteristics

An interest and willingness to work in a developmental center; understanding of and sensitivity to the needs of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; demonstrated interest in teaching and working with developmentally or mentally disordered adolescent offenders; understanding of the behavior of developmentally or mentally disordered offenders; emotional stability; patience; tact; alertness; enthusiasm; neat personal appearance; and hearing and vision required for successful job performance.

Special Physical Characteristics

Incumbents must possess and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

  Updated: 10/9/2017
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