Exam Bulletin - Disaster Assistance Programs Specialist I

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

Exam Code: EX-1995

Examination Plans Included:

  • DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I - Open, Non-Promotional

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

Classification Details

DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I: $4,490.00 - $5,621.00 (A) per Month
DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I: $4,930.00 - $6,178.00 (B) per Month

View the DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 9/30/2026
  • 10/31/2026
  • 11/30/2026
  • 12/31/2026

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 about mailed in applications. Applications must be submitted electronically.  Please see the "How to Apply" section for details. 

Examinations will be processed monthly (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 be cancelled at any time. Such changes or cancellations will be in accordance 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):

  • DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I - 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):

    1995

For DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-01995

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.

Applications will be reviewed to ensure the minimum requirements for participation in this examination are met. Possession of the minimum requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list.

Prior to starting the examination process, it is recommended to have your relevant education and employment history readily accessible.

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.

00108025 - DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I

Either

Pattern I

Experience: Four years of broad and progressively responsible coordination experience with disaster assistance programs. (College education may be substituted for up to three years of the required qualifying experience on a year-for-year basis.)

Or

Pattern II

Experience: Four years of experience in a field related to construction cost estimating, construction management, contracting, building inspection, basic engineering, basic architecture, property appraisal, building insurance adjustment, urban or environmental planning, and/or grant writing. (College education may be substituted for up to three years of the required qualifying experience on a year-for-year basis.)

 Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.

Position Description

00108025 - DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I

Incumbents at all levels of the series provide consultation and coordination of disaster assistance programs to local, State, and Federal entities. Incumbents perform field inspections, including buildings and facilities damaged as a result of an event or disaster, to document damages and identify hazard mitigation opportunities; document cost estimates for eligibility; review projects for compliance with local, State, and Federal disaster program regulations; conduct project monitoring and project completion review; assist in the preparation of grant proposals; provide technical disaster assistance program guidance and training; review architectural and engineering plans for program eligibility; attend briefings and meetings; maintain cooperative working relationships with local, State, and Federal officials; may serve as a designated agency representative and participate in various levels of potentially controversial, politically sensitive discussions, analysis, and recommendations; and do other related work.

Demonstrated ability to be flexible and a willingness to work effectively under adverse conditions; tact and professional demeanor; travel for extensive periods at any time emergencies arise, including weekends and holidays; and work odd hours and long shifts.

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 application and examination.  A stable internet connection is recommended as no additional time will be provided for internet loss, power loss, or computer/browser issues. If you are unable to complete the 120-minute timed examination, it is recommended you do not take the examination until you are able to do so.

Note: This is a 120 minute timed examination. There is no way to pause, stop, or reset the timer once you start. A stable internet connection is recommended as no additional time will be provided for internet loss, power loss, or computer/browser issues. If you are unable to complete the timed examination, it is recommended you do not continue until you are able to do so.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1WrittenWith Application100%

Components that are due with your application will be scored and will count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items may result in disqualification or elimination from the examination.

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

This examination consists of the following components:

Online Multiple-Choice Examination – Weighted 100% of the final score.

The online multiple-choice examination is comprised of the following sections:
  1. Cost Estimating
  2. Communication
  3. Construction
  4. Code
  5. Evaluating Situations Accurately / Taking Effective Action
When you select the link below, you will be directed to the Disaster Assistance Programs Specialist I online multiple choice written exam process.

Examination scores will be processed monthly (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.

Click on the following link to access the 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: Construction management and engineering principles; local, State, and Federal building codes; State and Federal regulations; environmental and historic law; risk assessment and analysis; accounting principles and estimating techniques; mitigation and environmental planning techniques and principles; methods of program report preparation and program reporting techniques; grant writing techniques; organization and operations of local, State, and Federal disaster assistance programs; methods and procedures of local government and State organizations; public administration; and basic computer skills.

Ability to: Interpret applicable codes, laws, rules, regulations, and policies; analyze situations accurately, and take effective action; reason logically; analyze data and effectively present ideas; communicate effectively; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with various agencies and all persons contacted in the disaster assistance programs.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the DISASTER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SPECIALIST I Classification will be established for:

  • California Governor's Office of Emergency 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 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.

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

  • California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services
Human Resources Examinations
3650 Schriever Avenue
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)