FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Category: General
Question
What if I previously worked for the State of Calfornia?
Answer
An employee with probationary or permanent
status who resigned from State civil service without
fault may be reinstated regardless of how long ago
he/she was employed, provided an appropriate position
is vacant and the Department desires to make the appointment.
For more information on how to reinstate you may access the State Personnel Board website at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/faq/how_to_reinstate.htm
Question
Why should I work for the State?
Answer
For general information on benefits for state
employees please see the State Personnel Board website
at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/benefits/index.htm
For detailed information on benefits and programs available to state employees, please see the Department of Personnel Administration website at: http://www.dpa.ca.gov/benefits/employeebenefits.shtm
For retirement information, please see the CALPERS website at: http://www.calpers.ca.gov/
For information on living and working in California, please see the California Homepage at: http://my.ca.gov/state/portal/myca_homepage.jsp
Question
I work for another state agency, but would like to
work at Caltrans what should I do?
Answer
You may be eligible to transfer to Caltrans
based upon the salary you earned from your last or
highest list appointment. In some cases, you may have
to meet the minimum qualifications for the class you
wish to transfer to or you may be eligible for transfer
through the exam process. More information on how
to transfer is available on the State Personnel Board’s
website at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/faq/how_to_transfer.htm
Question
What if I work for the federal government, a city
or county?
Answer
First you must take and successfully pass
a State of California civil service examination before
you may be eligible for a permanent appointment with
Caltrans or any other state agency. For information
on upcoming exams, you may access the Caltrans Exam
Plan at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/jobs/exam_plan.htm
For general information on how to get a state job, you may access the State Personnel Board website at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/apply/index.htm
Question
I never worked for the state, can I apply for a position
at Caltrans?
Answer
First you must take and successfully pass an examination
before you may be eligible for a permanent appointment
with Caltrans or any other state agency. For information
on upcoming exams, you may access the Caltrans Exam
Plan at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/HQ/jobs/exam_plan.htm
For general information on how to get a state job, you may access the State Personnel Board website at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/apply/index.htm
Question
What education and/or experience do I need for a job
at Caltrans?
Answer
Education and/or experience requirements for
all civil service classifications (positions) are contained in the
minimum qualifications section of the "class specifications”
and in the “requirements for admittance to the examination”
section of the exam bulletin.
You may access job specifications on the State Personnel Board Website at: http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/resources/jobspecs.htm
or through the links contained on the Caltrans Exam Plan at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/HQ/jobs/exam_plan.htm
You may access Caltrans exam bulletins currently in progress at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/HQ/jobs/examinat.htm
Question
How can I get a state application?
Answer
You may subscribe to State Personnel Board's
On-line state application process at: https://forms.spb.ca.gov/employment/
Please note that when using SPB's On-line state application process, the system does not forward electronic copy of the application to Caltrans. Please print and mail your application to Caltrans.
Or use State Personnel Board's Standard State Application Form 678
Adobe Acrobat Version at:
http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/stateapp_adobe.htm
Or you may download a PDF version at Caltrans website at: http://www.dot.ca.gov/HQ/jobs/Applications.htm
In addition, hard copies can be obtained at any State Employment Development office, the State Personnel Board or Caltrans district office.
You may also send a self-addressed stamped envelope
to:
State Personnel Board
Service Center
PO Box 94420
Sacramento, CA 94244-2010
Category: State Civil Service Application (STD678)
Question
I don't see an advertisement for the job I'm interested
in. Can I send my application in anyway?
Where do I send it?
Answer
No, if you cannot find anything about the exam in
which you are interested, it means applications are
not being accepted at this time. Applications for
an examination are accepted only during a specific
filing period. For open exams, this is usually limited
to about four weeks. Most departments, including Caltrans,
do not hold applications until the next exam; applications
received outside of the official filing period are
returned without action. Each department publishes
a bulletin for each examination that specifies the
dates it will accept applications. The bulletins are
available in a number of places including the department
giving the exam, local Employment Development Department
offices, and the State Personnel Board's web site.
The address for bulletins on SPB's web site, which
includes information from all State agencies, is http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/exams/exam_bulletins.htm .
Question
I have completed the electronic application form.
However, the bulletin does not provide an e-mail address
where the application may be sent. How do I submit
my application electronically?
Answer
At this time, applications are not accepted electronically.
We require an original signature, as well as critical
"Yes" and "No" alternatives regarding
accommodation, religious beliefs, etc., that are not
currently available on the electronic application.
Each exam bulletin includes specific filing instructions.
Please follow those instructions for submitting the
hard copy of your application.
Question
I am unable to download the electronic application
form on my computer. Where can I get a
hard copy of the application form?
Answer
We usually do not send out applications on request
unless there is an extraordinary reason, such as a
homebound person without a computer. However,
you can pick up hard copies of the application at
the State Personnel Board, or any Caltrans or Employment
Development Department office throughout the State.
See your local telephone directory for the office
nearest to you. If you believe your situation
is extraordinary, you may call the Examination Branch
at (916)227-7858 and the receptionist will direct
you to an Examination Analyst.
Question
I have completed the application number STD.678. However,
I don't know where to send it.
Answer
The State application form is used for both examinations
and for expressing interest in specific positions
once you have taken and passed the appropriate civil
service exam.
If you are applying for an examination, the instructions
for filing the application will be included on the
bulletin.
If you are applying for a vacant position, the advertisement
you saw should have included either the mailing address
or a phone number where you can obtain the filing
instructions.
Question
I took an examination through the Internet. Now I
am wondering if I need to fill out a hard copy of
an application (STD. 678) or not.
Answer
You do not need to fill out a paper application form
if you are filing for an Internet exam. However, if
you are applying for a vacancy, then you may be asked
to complete a Std. 678 as part of the process of filing
for the vacancy. The advertisement for the vacancy
will tell you what type of application you need to
submit.
Category : Electronic Exams Results
Question
How do I find the results of the examination that
I took electronically on the web?
Answer
All electronic exams are administered by the State
Personnel Board. Their web site includes instructions
on how to obtain your test scores. To access the SPB
electronic exams site, use the following address:
http://www.spb.ca.gov/jobs/exams/exam_start.htm - then select on the "SPB Exam Control
Panel".
If you are unable to find your scores using this
address, you may contact the State Personnel Board
directly at:
801 Capitol Mall Sacramento, CA 95814
P.O. Box 944201 Sacramento, CA 94244-2010
(916) 653-1705
Category: Employment for Non-Citizens
Question
Do I have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
to be hired by Caltrans?
Answer
All new hires are required to complete the I-9 Employment
Eligibility form. Under Federal regulations documented
on this form, all State employees must be either 1)
a US citizen 2) a lawful Permanent Resident or 3)
an alien authorized to work in the United States.
We also accept Canadian and Mexican citizens under
the NAFTA Agreement. As part of the I-9 process, prior
to being hired by any state agency, prospective employees
need to either show proof of citizenship or provide
certification from the Federal government confirming
that you are authorized to work in the United States.