Exam Bulletin - Audio-Visual Specialist (Technical)

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-1957

Examination Plans Included:

  • AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL) - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL): $5,684.00 - $7,114.00 per Month

View the AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL) classification specification.

Application Instructions

The bulletin announcement for the above-named examination has been amended as follows:

The cutoff date for the June 28, 2024 administration has been extended to July 8, 2024. Additionally, the testing dates for this cutoff period have been extended to July 29, 2024, to August 2, 2024.

Please contact the Cal OES Examination Unit with any questions: (916) 845-8321 or examinations@caloes.ca.gov.

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 9/30/2024
  • 12/31/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Please disregard the previous statement regarding mailed in applications. Applications must be submitted electronically.  Please see the "How to Apply" section for details. 

Examinations will be processed quarterly (or as the needs of the department warrant). Applications received after the established cut-off date will be processed the next time the exam is administered.

NOTE: Check back periodically as cut-off dates may be added in the future. Additionally, cut-off dates are subject to change or to be cancelled at any time. Such changes or cancellations will be in accourdance with civil service laws and rules.

Who Should Apply:

Please read this bulletin in its entirety before taking this examination. 

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):

  • AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL) - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    1957

For AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01957

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.

All Standard State Applications (STD 678) must include:
  • The examination title and/or exam code on the application
  • “To” and “from” dates (month/day/year)
  • Hours per week you worked
  • Civil service or private sector titles
  • Duties performed (Do not list see attached resume)
  • If using education to qualify please provide a copy of your transcripts
  • Resumes do not replace a completed application (STD 678)
Applications received without this information may be rejected.

If you held more than one position within the same organization, please breakout your experience. Please note overtime and volunteer paid or unpaid experience performing duties at the appropriate level is eligible for consideration. Please keep in mind the duties you list must not only reflect your experience, but also how you meet the minimum qualifications.

Out-of-class civil service state experience:  Work experience gained in an out-of-class assignment shall be in accordance with SPB Rule § 212. Out-of-class experience without required documentation will not be considered for examination purposes. If you wish to use documented out-of-class experience to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, please choose the option to "attach/upload an extra document" on step 5 of the application package process.

NOTE: Candidates unable to provide a degree or unofficial transcripts before the cut-off date may be admitted to the examination process. However, candidates will be required to submit official transcripts upon appointment to a position. If you wish to submit your unofficial transcripts to demonstrate that you meet the minimum qualifications, please choose the option to "attach/upload an extra document" on step 5 of the application package process.

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.

00102838 - AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL)

Either

Pattern I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of an Audio-Visual Assistant.

Or

Pattern II
Four years of experience in commercial artwork; one year of which must include the creation and preparation of a wide variety of visual aids. (College work in art or a related field may be substituted for up to three years of the nonspecialized experience on a year-for-year basis.)

Position Description

00102838 - AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL)

Under direction, to independently perform the design and production of audio and visual-aid materials for the communication purposes of a State agency; to originate and prepare the most difficult audio- visual materials; and to do other related work.

Performs the technical and professional work in the preparation of audio-visual materials; selects the media by which audio-visual work is to be prepared, and determines methods and costs of reproduction; independently performs the most difficult and exacting work; advises, consults with, and originates ideas for departmental unit heads and others on design, layout, and use of audio or visual media for publications, displays, exhibits, reports, manuals, lectures, public addresses, conferences, brochures, films, and training programs; plans and prepares material for slide presentations, film strips, motion pictures, video tapes, multimedia shows, exhibits and displays (recording, sequencing, editing, titling, splicing, and repairing); maintains film files and film library; manages audio-visual equipment loan services; assists in producing and conducting radio and television programs; conducts research for audio-visual materials and devises and utilizes new techniques to meet new problems; advises and recommends selection and purchase of audio-visual equipment and materials; performs simple equipment maintenance and repair work; prepares reports and dictates correspondence.

Special Personal Characteristics: Artistic and creative ability; willingness to travel throughout the State.

Additional Desirable Qualification: Education equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade.

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

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Supplemental ReportAfter Acceptance100%

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

When you select "Apply Now", you will be directed to the Audio-Visual Specialist (Technical) online application process. If successful, you will be notified by email with a link to the Online Training and Experience evaluation. Please monitor your email account’s SPAM, Junk, Bulk, etc. folder(s) as the examination email may be filtered depending on your specific account settings.

Examination scores will be processed quarterly (or as the needs of the department warrant) and results will be emailed to the email address provided during the application process. Information regarding the examination will ONLY be sent to the email address provided on your State Application (STD 678).  Please ensure that you have access to the email address provided.

If you applied between…

Your testing dates would be…

March 30, 2024  to July 8, 2024

July 29, 2024 to August 2, 2024

July 9, 2024 to September 30, 2024

October 14, 2024 to October 18, 2024

October 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024

January 27, 2025 to January 31, 2025


Exam notifications are either electronically submitted through your CalCareers account or emailed to the email address listed on your STD 678. To ensure timely receipt of communications, please ensure that you are checking your CalCareers account and/or email account regularly. Exam results will be released within 4 to 6 weeks after the testing date. 
 
To be added to the eligibility list:
  • Candidates must meet the minimum qualifications to receive examination results and be merged onto the eligibility list. Possession of the minimum requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list.
  • Incomplete examination responses, application packages, or otherwise missing information may lead to an inability to process a candidate's examination.

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: Techniques, materials and equipment used in the design, creation and production of a wide variety of graphics, slide shows, motion pictures, video tapes and multimedia shows.

Ability to: Provide creativity in converting narrative material to visual form in a wide variety of media, direct production, provide consultation and advise on audio-visual methods, devise solutions to complex audio-visual communication problems, analyze situations accurately and take effective action; work effectively with people and situations requiring initiative, tact, and judgment; speak effectively, and read and write English at the level required for successful job performance.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the AUDIO-VISUAL SPECIALIST (TECHNICAL) Classification will be established for:

  • State of California

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.

Preparing for the Examination

Here is a list of suggested resources to have available prior to taking the exam.

Employment History: Employment dates, job titles, organization names and addresses, names of supervisors or persons who can verify your job responsibilities, and phone numbers of persons listed above.

Education: School names and addresses, degrees earned, dates attended, courses taken (verifiable on a transcript), persons or office who can verify education, and phone numbers of persons or offices listed above.

Training: Class titles, certifications received, names of persons who can verify your
training, and phone numbers of persons listed above.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by hiring and retaining individuals from a variety of backgrounds and personal experiences. Our employees are empowered with the tools and resources necessary to meet our mission, while continuing to expand equity and inclusion efforts at all levels of the organization. We are committed to the spirit and work required to ensure the safety and resilience of every community in California.

Testing Departments

  • 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds
  • California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
  • California Highway Patrol
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of Water Resources
  • Franchise Tax Board
  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Human Resources Examinations
3650 Schriever Ave
Mather, CA 95655
Phone: (916) 845-8321
Examinations@caloes.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.

California Governor's Office of Emergency 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)