Exam Bulletin - Caltrans Heavy Equipment Mechanic

Department of Transportation

Exam Code: EX-1650

Examination Plans Included:

  • CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC - Open, Non-Promotional

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Classification Details

CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC: $5,445.00 - $6,276.00 per Month

View the CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC classification specification.

Application Instructions

This is not a timed examination. If you request a Reasonable Accommodation, your account will be locked and you will not be able to proceed with the examination until the request is processed.

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC - Open, Non-Promotional

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    1650

For CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01650

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00103713 - CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Possession of a valid Class C driver license. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be allowed to compete in the examination, but the license must be obtained prior to appointment.) And

Either 1

Completion of a recognized apprenticeship as a gas-and diesel-powered truck mechanic, or a heavy construction equipment mechanic. (Apprentices who are within six months of completing their apprenticeship program may be admitted to the examination, but they must present evidence of completion of a recognized apprenticeship before they may be appointed.)

Or 2

Four years of varied mechanical experience consisting of diagnosis, repair and overhaul of major components on gas-and diesel-powered trucks or heavy construction equipment. An Associate of Arts Degree in Heavy Equipment Maintenance, Diesel Mechanics, or Heavy Equipment Mechanics or a certificate of completion from an accredited community college or equivalent degree or certificate approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310 may be substituted for two years of the required experience. (Students who are within six months of completing their degree will be admitted to the examination but must present evidence of completion prior to appointment.)
Drug Testing Requirements

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.

Position Description

00103713 - CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC

Under direction, an incumbent inspects equipment to locate and determine the extent of necessary repairs and the corrective action necessary; maintains and repairs automobiles, trucks, tractors, personnel hoists, graders, snowplows, pumps, air compressors, diesel and gasoline engines and similar equipment; constructs new special equipment or modifies existing equipment including body frames and running gear; makes installation of, or repairs to, special equipment; operates and maintains tools and machinery used in the repair and maintenance of heavy maintenance and construction equipment; advises in the selection of parts and equipment; estimates repair costs; instructs operators in the proper operation and servicing of equipment; performs welding and brazing work; keeps simple records and completes reports; uses computer equipment to input time spent and tasks performed; may assist in instructing or giving direction to helpers, apprentices, Service Assistants (Automotive), or other employees; and performs other related work.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

A valid Class A or Class B driver license.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

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This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of:
  1. Methods, materials, tools and equipment used in construction, assembly, overhaul, repair and adjustment of gas-and diesel-powered trucks, heavy construction and maintenance equipment
  2. Operating characteristics of heavy construction and maintenance equipment and gas-and diesel-powered trucks
  3. Basic occupational safety and health work practices to protect their own safety and health and the safety and health of others
Skill in:
  1. Mechanical repair, adjustment, and fabrication of special equipment
Ability to:
  1. Communicate effectively as required for successful job performance
  2. Fabricate, diagnose, repair and make adjustments to various equipment and systems (e.g., heavy construction and maintenance equipment, gas- and diesel-powered trucks and electronic systems)
  3. Install and test pumps, motors and similar equipment
  4. Perform welding
  5. Estimate repair costs
  6. Work from drawings and sketches and make sketches of broken parts for replacement
  7. Make repairs in the field without supervision

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the CALTRANS HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Transportation

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 12 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits will only be added to the final score of those applicants who are successful in examination(s) administered on an Open, Non-Promotional basis in accordance with Government Codes 18951 and 18951.5.

Caltrans Heavy Equipment Mechanic Training and Experience Examination Preview

Instructions:
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, and/or FORMAL EDUCATION whether paid or volunteer.


PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks
  1. Operating advanced electronic and computerized diagnostic equipment (e.g., scanners, laptops, meters, digital volt ohm meters (DVOM)) for the diagnosis, testing, and repair of automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment.
  2. Operating and maintaining powered hand tools and shop equipment (e.g., welding equipment, lifts, drill presses, machine tools) necessary for the service, repair, and maintenance of gas and diesel powered highway maintenance and construction equipment.
  3. Conducting regular and mandated inspections (e.g., opacity, crane, biennial inspection of terminals (BIT), safety) of automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment to determine maintenance and repairs.
  4. Inspecting emissions control systems on gas and diesel powered vehicles (e.g., On Board Diagnostics (OBD), diesel particulate filters) in compliance with State and federal air quality control standards and regulations.
  5. Diagnosing automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment to locate and determine the need or extent of repairs and corrective action.
  6. Jacking, hoisting, cribbing, suspending, and securing automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment for maintenance and repair using vehicle lifting devices.
  7. Performing preventive maintenance and service (e.g., fluid changes, brakes, steering, hydraulics, air systems) on automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment.
  8. Performing repairs to various systems (e.g., engine, powertrain, suspension, heating and air conditioning, brakes, hydraulics) on automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment.
  9. Disassembling and assembling automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment for repair or maintenance in compliance with State and federal Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards and regulations.
  10. Building, overhauling, and/or modifying automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment in compliance with engineering guidelines.
  11. Welding, fabricating and cutting metal for the construction and repair of automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment.
  12. Documenting and maintaining records of inspection, preventive maintenance, and repairs (e.g., the nature of inspection, repair and service type, labor hours, and replacement parts/modified) performed on automotive vehicles and heavy maintenance and construction equipment.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Transportation

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-7671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Transportation
Examination & Recruitment Services MS-86
P O Box 168036
Sacramento, CA 95816-8036
Phone:
askexams@dot.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.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State 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.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Department of Transportation 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 laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.
Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)