Exam Bulletin - Construction Supervisor III

Department of General Services

Exam Code: EX-1655

Examination Plans Included:

  • CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III - Open

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

Classification Details

CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III: $11,957.00 - $14,967.00 per Month

View the CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III 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):

  • CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    1655

For CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01655

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.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00104029 - CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(Applicants who do not possess the required license may be admitted to the examination, but must obtain the license before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) And

Either 1

Experience: Two years of experience performing the duties of a Construction Supervisor II in the California state service.

Or 2

Experience: Broad and extensive (more than five years) experience: (1) as an owner's, architect's, engineer's, or construction manager's representative in full-time charge of inspection or supervision on construction of major buildings such as schools, hospitals, prisons, institutions, high-and mid-rise office buildings, or other comparable institutional or commercial buildings; and (2) two years of which shall have included responsibility for supervision of other inspectors, supervisors, or construction managers, and for coordination and management of the various parties to the contract.

(Experience as a construction superintendent on projects of the type mentioned above may be substituted for the three years of nonsupervisory experience on a year-for-year basis.)

(Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include at least two years performing duties of a Construction Supervisor II.) and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in engineering or architecture.

(Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on the basis of two years of qualifying experience equaling one academic year of education.)

Position Description

00104029 - CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III

Supervises, inspects, coordinates, and administers construction projects in an extensive geographical area or for a very large project with $100 million or greater construction value and requiring more than three subordinate personnel in this series; assigns and checks work, gives instructions, maintains discipline, and passes upon inspection and construction problems within an assigned area or very large project covering several major building projects or bid packages; makes final decisions regarding contract and code requirements; makes decisions on matters relating to construction and the adequacy of methods, materials, workmanship, and progress; coordinates the various contractors, designers, client and regulatory agencies, and other State support and management staff on the projects; keeps a diary of important conditions and occurrences; directs the taking of various material samples and tests; supervises the preparation and maintenance of extensive documentation on all contract activities including disputes and construction claim issues; initiates and negotiates change orders; prepares correspondence and reports; approves progress reports and progress payments; corresponds with contractors, client agencies, regulatory agencies, and headquarters relating to the satisfactory quality and progress of the work; plans the staffing of all projects or bid packages, budgeting manpower, and resources; monitors and directs a statewide program, coordinating the work of all Office of Construction Services and Division of the State Architect staff; keeps abreast of current construction trends; must drive from one site to another site, and on large sites, drive from one area to another area within the site.

Special Personal Characteristics

Tact and keenness of observation; demonstrated administrative ability; and physical stamina.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

Possession of a certificate in general building construction, inspection, or code enforcement from the: American Construction Inspector's Association; International Conference of Building Officials; Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development; other similar association or regulatory governmental organization; or current registration as an architect or engineer (civil, structural, mechanical, or electrical).

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

Examination Information

We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for optimal performance when accessing the examination.

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. Materials, methods, and processes used in the construction of wood, steel frame, masonry, and concrete buildings
  2. Work of the various building trades
  3. Proper methods of mixing, placing, and curing plain and reinforced concrete
  4. Methods of steel frame erection and reinforced concrete construction
  5. Various codes and safety orders applicable to building construction
  6. Personal computers and related software programs
  7. Principles of various scheduling techniques including critical path scheduling
  8. Structural engineering designs
  9. Principles of construction management and construction industry business and accounting methods
  10. Quality control methods and procedures
  11. Principles, techniques, and processes of dispute resolution
  12. Principles of effective supervision
  13. The department's Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives
  14. A supervisor's role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program and the processes available to meet equal employment opportunity objectives
Ability to:
  1. Detect faulty and improper materials and workmanship utilizing visual inspection with knowledge of industry standards, code requirements, and test results in building and allied construction
  2. Estimate quantities and costs
  3. analyze situations accurately and take effective action
  4. Direct the work of others
  5. Dictate correspondence and write clear and comprehensive reports
  6. Organize and control complex programs
  7. Gain and maintain the confidence of those contacted during the course of the work
  8. Effectively contribute to the department's equal employment opportunity objectives

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the CONSTRUCTION SUPERVISOR III Classification will be established for:

  • Department of General Services

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 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 are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Construction Supervisor III 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, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, 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. Reviewing construction documents (e.g., plans, specifications, and submittals) against actual field conditions in order to clarify and resolve construction issues.
  2. Reviewing contract documents (e.g., plans, specifications, correspondence, pay estimates, schedules, submittals) to resolve project issues in order to provide quality assurance and contract compliance of projects.
  3. Interpreting codes (e.g., Title 24, health and safety, fire) and/or internal policies and procedures in order to appropriately apply to construction matters to provide the quality assurance and contract compliance of projects.
  4. Providing technical assistance and/or expertise to professional architectural and/or engineering staff in order to clarify construction issues through written or verbal correspondence.
  5. Providing on-the-job training and mentoring to coworkers to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to effectively complete work assignments.
  6. Establishing and/or maintaining project records (e.g., daily diaries, change orders, monthly reports, pay estimates) as required by organization policies and procedures.
  7. Writing various reports and memos (e.g., statistical analysis, monthly reports) to provide project information on construction issues, project status, and/or stakeholder concerns.
  8. Resolving disagreements and conflicts between project team members using interpersonal skills in order to achieve and/or maintain a cohesive, productive project.
  9. Monitoring and/or maintaining project inspection budget using various resources (e.g., timelines, inspection hours) to stay within allocated budget.
  10. Reviewing various project documents (e.g., pay estimates, daily diaries, visitor inspection reports) to provide quality assurance and contract compliance of projects.
  11. Conducting construction meetings (e.g., pre-construction and progress meetings, final inspections) with various groups (e.g., clients, staff, design professionals, contractors).
  12. Recommending and/or participating in the development of policies and/or procedures relating to the organization.
  13. Involve coworkers in planning work activities, monitoring timelines and due dates, and identifying resources needed using various methods and/or techniques (e.g., special assignments, lead responsibilities, etc.) to accomplish project and/or program goals and objectives.

Testing Departments

  • Department of General Services

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) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of General Services
Office of Human Resources
P.O. Box 989052
West Sacramento, CA 95798-9052
Phone: (916) 376-5400

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 General Services 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)