Exam Bulletin - Driver Safety Hearing Officer (LEAP)

Department of Motor Vehicles

Exam Code: EX-2090

Examination Plans Included:

  • DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER - Open

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

Classification Details

DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER: $4,250.00 - $5,322.00 (A) per Month
DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER: $4,627.00 - $5,793.00 (B) per Month
DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER: $5,300.00 - $6,635.00 (C) per Month

View the DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER classification specification.

Application Instructions

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

 

Introduction to the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP)

 

The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an alternative examination and appointment process for the recruitment and hiring of persons with disabilities into the California state civil service. The LEAP is a two-part process that consists of: (1) a Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation and (2) a Job Examination Period that is administered and evaluated in the work setting.

 

To qualify to take this Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation, you must first have LEAP certification issued by the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). For information on how to obtain LEAP certification, visit the DOR website at https://www.dor.ca.gov/Home/LEAP. To find a DOR office near you, contact the DOR at (916) 558-5300, TTY (916) 558-5302, or online at www.dor.ca.gov.

 

The legal authority for the LEAP is Government Code Sections 19240-19244.

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):

  • DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER - Open

Individuals who meet all of the following criteria:

  1. Individuals with a disability, a record of a disability, or who are regarded as having a disability that limits one or more major life activities;
  2. Individuals who have Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) certification from the California Department of Rehabilitation
  3. Individuals who satisfy the minimum qualifications as stated in the minimum qualifications section below

    For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 24 months:

    Exam Code(s):

      2090

    For DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 24 months:

    Exam Code(s):

    • EX-02090

    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.

    00108727 - DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER

    Pursuant to California Government Code Section 1040, fingerprint/criminal record clearance is required for these positions, and to be eligible for appointment. and

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

    Either 1

    Education:     Equivalent to graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from a four-year accredited college or university, preferably with a degree in criminal justice, prelaw, psychology, sociology, or a related field. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

    Or 2

    Education:     Successful completion of the equivalent of nine semester units of college, which must have included at least one course in English composition and two courses in psychology, sociology, or a related field. and

    Experience: One year of experience in the Department of Motor Vehicles performing the duties of a Licensing/Registration Examiner or Senior Motor Vehicle Technician. (Additional college education may be substituted for the required general experience on the basis of one year of education being equivalent to six months of general experience.) or

    Experience: Two years of experience in the Department of Motor Vehicles with 18 months of that experience performing the duties of a Motor Vehicle Representative, Range C. (Additional college education may be substituted for the required general experience on the basis of one year of education being equivalent to six months of general experience.)

    Or 3

    Education:     Equivalent to completion of two years (60 semester units or 90 quarter units) of college education which must include at least one course in English composition and two courses in psychology, sociology, or a related field. (Students in their second year of college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of completion of the required 60 semester or 90 quarter units before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) and

    Experience: One year of experience in the Department of Motor Vehicles performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility comparable to that of at least a Motor Vehicle Assistant, Range B, or Motor Vehicle Representative, Range B. (Additional college education may be substituted for the required general experience on the basis of one year of education being equivalent to six months of general experience.) or

    Experience: Two years of experience in the Department of Motor Vehicles with at least 18 months of that experience performing duties of a class with a level of responsibility comparable to that of at least an Office Assistant, Range B. (Additional college education may be substituted for the required general experience on the basis of one year of education being equivalent to six months of general experience.)

    Position Description

    00108727 - DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER

    Under direction, conduct hearings, interviews, and reexaminations, and rule on various legal matters; review and interpret various administrative, medical, and legal documents to verify accuracy and to determine how the information affects the decision to take an action against the driving privilege, issuance of certificates, and endorsements; in accordance with statute, case law, policy and procedures, obtain and verify evidence to make findings of fact to determine if an action against a driving privilege should be taken; prepare a legally sufficient report detailing case issues, findings, and decisions; and issue appropriate orders and notices of decision.

    All incumbents are expected to understand the application of laws, administrative procedures, rules of evidence, and regulations relating to the types of hearings, interviews, and reexaminations conducted and to develop skills in report writing, interviewing, and interpersonal communication.

    Incumbents in all ranges make public presentations related to the Driver Safety Program.

    Special Personal Characteristics

    Demonstrated willingness to accept, and an aptitude for, increasing responsibility; desire to pursue on-the-job training; a willingness to travel to various hearing points and/or resident hearing locations; and possession of a good driving record which includes no convictions within the past three years for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, hit and run, reckless driving, or manslaughter. A good driving record also includes not being a negligent operator, and having no Administrative Per Se suspensions within the past three years, no Financial Responsibility suspensions within the past three years, no failures to answer a signed promise to appear, and no failures to pay a lawfully imposed fine, affecting the status of their driving privilege. If a person has failed to answer his/her signed promise to appear or has failed to pay a lawfully imposed fine, he/she will not be hired until the court case has been cleared.

    Well-developed interpersonal skills including sensitivity, patience, and flexibility in order to communicate with internal and external customers in a friendly, courteous, and efficient manner.

    Incumbents are expected to be dependable and punctual to provide quality customer service.

    Incumbents who have contact with internal and external customers are expected to present a business-like image.

    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
    1CalHR Online ExamN/A100%

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

    LEAP Process Information

     

    PART 1: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT/READINESS EVALUATION – Weighted 100%

     

    This Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation consists solely of minimum qualification questions that assess the training, experience, and education that you have previously obtained. Your responses to the questions will determine if the training, experience, and education you have meet the minimum qualifications for the Driver Safety Hearing Officer classification. If you pass the Minimum Qualifications Assessment/Readiness Evaluation, your name will be placed on the Driver Safety Hearing Officer LEAP Referral List, and you will have referral list eligibility to apply for Driver Safety Hearing Officer vacancies.

     

    Applicants who obtain Driver Safety Hearing Officer LEAP Referral List eligibility must compete for job vacancies in order to begin PART 2 of this process, which is called the Job Examination Period.

     

    PART 2: JOB EXAMINATION PERIOD (JEP)

     

    The JEP begins after you are hired and obtain an examination appointment. When you perform the duties of your state job, you will be evaluated on your job performance at least every four weeks, or more often, if needed. Your evaluation will be based on the classification specification and the duty statement of the position.

     

    The JEP will be the same length as the length of the probationary period for the same non-LEAP classification.

     

    After successful completion of the JEP, the result will be a transition from an examination appointment to a standard appointment as a Driver Safety Hearing Officer. If appointed to a permanent position through the LEAP process, you will not be required to serve a probationary period.

    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. Rules of Evidence, Administrative Law, applicable case law, hearing procedures, and practices 
    2. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, and modern English usage 
    3. Effective writing and interviewing techniques 
    4. Basic arithmetic 
    5. Effective usage of modern office equipment
    6. Provisions of the California Vehicle Code
    7. Rules, regulations, and policies of the Department of Motor Vehicles relating to driver licenses, traffic laws, and financial responsibility requirements
    8. Medical terminology 
    9. Principles, procedures, and practices relating to driver control and driver safety 
    10. Departmental technical hearing procedures relating to driver licenses and methods of examination 
    11. Physical and mental disabilities as they relate to driving performance 
    12. Rules of evidence and regulations relating to the types of hearings, interviews, and reexaminations conducted  
    13. Appropriate provisions of Administrative Law, Government Code, the Code of Civil Procedures, and rules governing the admissibility of evidence, as they apply to the conduct of Administrative Per Se and other hearings and Departmental Reviews and Quality Control Reviews

    Ability to:
    1. Interpret and apply statutes and applicable case law, regulations, and policies relating to driver licenses and traffic safety 
    2. Interpret and apply financial responsibility requirements 
    3. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with persons contacted concerning driver safety work and procedures 
    4. Conduct departmental hearings, interviews, and driver license reexaminations relating to issuance and control of driver licenses 
    5. Work independently
    6. Communicate effectively 
    7. Examine and cross-examine witnesses, rule on motions and objectives, weigh evidence, identify facts, resolve issues of credibility, identify appropriate law, apply law to facts, and make objective and impartial decisions based solely upon the merits of the case 
    8. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action 
    9. Exercise sound judgment in applying rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and laws
    10. Maintain the confidentiality of information

    Eligible List Information

    A Departmental Open eligible list for the DRIVER SAFETY HEARING OFFICER Classification will be established for:

    • Department of Motor Vehicles

    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.

    Testing Departments

    • Department of Motor Vehicles

    Contact Information

    Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

    California Department of Human Resources
    CalCareer Service Center
    1810 16th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    Phone: (866) 844-8671
    CalCareer@CalHR.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 Motor Vehicles 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)