California Department of Transportation
 
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HOW TO GET A STATE JOB

Please review SPB's "How to get a State job" website.

The California state civil service process consists of seven parts:

1. Examining
2. Becoming reachable on a list
3. Locating a vacant position
4. Participating in a hiring interview
5. Passing Medical Examinations, if job required
6. Depending on the classification, pre-employment drug tests
7. Completing a probationary period

Becoming "reachable' on a list
In most examinations, far more candidates are passed than are needed for immediate vacancies. State lists are divided into ranks by score. Only those in the reachable ranks may be considered for appointment. However, as all of the candidates in a given rank are cleared, the next rank is considered "reachable", and candidates in that rank may apply.

Locating a vacant position
WVPOS advertises vacancies and is available through the State Personnel Board's web site. You may file for any position advertised in this database for which you have taken and passed the test and are in a reachable rank.

Caltrans publishes a hard copy of the information found on WVPOS in a listing called Job Opportunity Bulletin(s) (JOBS). Copies of this listing are updated weekly, and can be found in all District Offices and in at Farmers Market III and Headquarters Offices in downtown Sacramento.

Pre-employment Medical
In most cases, prior to entering state service, you will be expected to pass a medical examination. This medical will be tailored to reflect any special characteristics of the position, such as the need for hearing certain sounds, lifting heavy weights, working in high places, etc.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing
Due to the nature of our jobs, many of them have been designated as drug sensitive, and you must take and pass a drug test before you are employed. More information about drug testing may be found at the Department of Personnel Administration's web site.

For more detailed information about the examination and civil service process you may want to visit the State Personnel Board's Jobs and Employment Information page.

For information regarding Caltrans' exams in progress, you may visit our Exams Bulletin page.

OFFERING EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL REGARDLESS OF RACE, COLOR, CREED, NATIONAL ORIGIN, ANCESTRY, SEX, MARITAL STATUS, DISABILITY, RELIGIOUS OR POLITICAL AFFILIATION, AGE OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION