Exam Bulletin - Inspector I, Department of Consumer Affairs

Department of Consumer Affairs

Exam Code: EX-2242

Examination Plans Included:

  • INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS - Open

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

Classification Details

INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS: $4,152.00 - $5,091.00 per Month *1
*1: The salary stated in this bulletin may not reflect all pay raises or any additional bonuses.

View the INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 10/15/2024

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked 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.

Postmark dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing. Applications received via email or fax will not be accepted.

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):

  • INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2242

For INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02242

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.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
    Examination Services Unit, Attn: R. Kinney
    1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-321
    Sacramento, CA 95834

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Consumer Affairs
    Examination Services Unit, Attn: R. Kinney
    1625 N. Market Blvd., Suite N-321
    Sacramento, CA 95834
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Drop off location non-operational on weekends and holidays.

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

  • Other - Examination documents. See "Taking the Examination" section for details.

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.

00108834 - INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this examination bulletin to be accepted into the examination. Parttime or full-time jobs, regardless of whether paid or volunteer positions, and inside or outside California state service will count toward experience.

Either I
Two years of experience with a governmental agency in one or a combination of the following:
1. Inspection of business establishments for compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and standards or
2. In law enforcement which has included some investigation work.

Or II
Equivalent to completion of two years of college with at least 12 units in police science or criminology. (Students within one semester of completing the required two years of college will be admitted to the examination but must produce evidence of completion before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Position Description

00108834 - INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS

In an assigned district, makes inspections and investigations and takes samples in the enforcement of the provisions of State laws such as those requiring the licensing of barbers, apprentices, barbershops and schools, cosmetologists, electrologists, instructors in cosmetology and electrology, cosmetology shops and schools, manicurists, dry cleaning shops and plants, spotters and pressers, fur and hat renovators, manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers, and retailers of upholstered furniture or bedding or those items containing concealed filling materials, veterinary hospitals, and electronic dealer records; investigates complaints in connection with alleged violations of law; gathers evidence for use and assistance in hearings and prosecutions; writes investigation reports and maintains records of inspections and activities; maintains working relationships with law enforcement agencies; has wide contact with the public and assists the public by furnishing information concerning the particular acts within the Business and Professions Code; interviews and consults with licensees to determine causes of violations and to encourage compliance.

Special Personal and Physical Characteristics Ability to walk long distances; willingness to travel throughout the State and work odd and irregular hours; keenness of observation; and neat personal appearance.

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

Training & Experience (Supplemental Report) Examination – Weighted 100%: This examination consists of a Training & Experience examination and is the sole component of the examination.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Supplemental ReportWith 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.

Complete and submit the following items with your application. These will be scored and count toward your final examination result. Failure to submit these items will result in disqualification from 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: State laws, rules, and regulations regarding individuals and businesses licensed by various agencies with the Department of Consumer Affairs; laws of arrest and rules of evidence and procedures followed in court and administrative hearings; inspection techniques and procedures; industry practices and inspection problems such as those encountered in the barber, cosmetology, dry cleaning, and furniture and bedding businesses, veterinary hospitals, and yacht and ship brokerage establishments.

Ability to: Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance; interpret and apply sections of State laws which relate to individuals and businesses licensed by various agencies in the Department of Consumer Affairs; analyze data and draw sound conclusions; think and act quickly in emergencies; write complete and concise reports; deal with the public in a courteous and fair minded manner.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the INSPECTOR I, DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Consumer Affairs

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 are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Taking the Examination

The Training and Experience Examination (T&E) will be used to evaluate your experience, education, and training. This T&E is the examination and will account for 100% of your score.

Access the T&E Examination here.

How to Submit: Your electronic examination application, the completed T&E and any other required documents can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. Sign into your profile and apply for the Inspector I, Department of Consumer Affairs examination for the Department of Consumer Affairs. Add the documents listed below as attachments to your Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678).

What to Include: In order to apply for and participate in this examination, you must submit a complete examination package. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application. The following documents must be submitted along with your Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678):

• T&E Examination including the Affirmation Statement, and Conditions of Employment form

Testing Departments

  • Department of Consumer Affairs

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Consumer Affairs
Examination Services Unit, Attn: R. Kinney
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-321
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 574-8370
Raquel.Kinney@dca.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 Consumer Affairs 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)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)