Exam Bulletin - Graphic Designer III

California Highway Patrol

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-2394

Examination Plans Included:

  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER III - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Continous filing dates have been deleted.
  • A link between a Component and a document/link in the bulletin has been added.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.
  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

GRAPHIC DESIGNER III: $5,924.00 - $7,417.00 (A) per Month
GRAPHIC DESIGNER III: $6,100.00 - $7,638.00 (L) per Month

View the GRAPHIC DESIGNER III classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 10/10/2024

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.

NOTE: Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the United States Postal Service, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit their application on time and to ensure the envelope is postmarked.

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):

  • GRAPHIC DESIGNER III - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2394

For GRAPHIC DESIGNER III, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02394

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:

  • California Highway Patrol
    Selections Standards and Examinations Section
    P.O. Box 942898
    Sacramento, CA 94298-0001

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:

  • California Highway Patrol
    Selection Standards and Examinations Section
    601 North 7th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95811
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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.

All application (STD 678) forms must include: employment history “from” and “to” dates (month/day/year), hours per week, title/job classification, and duties performed. Application (STD 678) forms received without this information will be rejected. Résumés or other documents will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application (STD 678) form.

NOTE: DO NOT SUBMIT APPLICATIONS TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES (CALHR) OR TO A LOCAL CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICE. FAXED OR E-MAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

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

NOTE: All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the cutoff date to be accepted into the examination. Part-time or full-time jobs, regardless of whether paid or volunteer positions, and inside or outside California state service will count toward experience.

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.

00102886 - GRAPHIC DESIGNER III

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service as a Graphic Designer II.

Or II

Experience: Three years of experience in concept development, consulting, page layout, drawing, photo editing, color correction, file preparation, on-line publishing, multimedia, and other mediums AND

Education: Successful completion of a total of 30 semester college units with a minimum of six units in the following areas: graphic design theory, graphic computer software, and printing technology. (One year of additional experience can be substituted for one year of college.)

Position Description

00102886 - GRAPHIC DESIGNER III

This is the advanced journey level in the Graphic Designer series. Incumbents create and produce materials and/or publications at the highest level for print, on-line publishing, multimedia, and other mediums. Incumbents in this class serve as high-level specialists responsible for the development and production of the most complex graphic design work.

Special Personal Characteristics

Applicants for the Graphic Designer III positions are required to have visual acuity and color vision sufficient to successfully perform the job; and creative ability.

Additional Desirable Qualifications

A certification or degree from an accredited or recognized professional institute or body in the program areas of art, design, visual communications, and computer graphics; and neatness.

Examination Information

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.

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 of interpreting statistical data to create an accurate visual graphic that represents patterns and trends.
  • Methods and techniques of freehand drawing and color illustration for look and feel.
  • Elements of design such as: line, shape, texture, space, size, value, and color for look and feel of visual design projects.
  • Principles of design such as: balance/symmetry, rhythm/repetition, emphasis, unity, movement, and proportion/scale for look and feel of visual design projects.
  • Page layout, color theory, and typography to execute visual design projects.
  • Hands-on graphic tools (e.g. utility knife, mounting supplies) and other equipment to execute projects.
  • Graphic design hardware/software applications to execute projects.
  • Procedures for creating traditional and/or electronic files for output for single color and multicolor product.
  • Stages of design (research, thumbnail, mock-ups, and production ready art) to an electronic file to execute projects.
  • Methods and techniques to visually communicate concepts and ideas.
  • Graphic resources (e.g. shared asset libraries, templates, stock photography) for efficiency in productivity.
  • Image editing (e.g. resizing, color correcting, restoration) to execute projects.
  • Principles and techniques of trade show exhibits preparation to execute projects.
  • Project leadership to execute departmental objectives.
  • Time management to complete tasks in a timely manner.
  • State-of-the-art graphic design techniques, theories, and processes to execute projects.
  • Departmental programs and objectives to execute projects.
  • Alternate strategies for work-flow efficiencies within design software to execute projects.
  • Communication techniques and principles for collaboration with staff, stakeholders, and teams.
  • Principles of effective proposal writing to execute projects.
Skill to:
  • Industry standard hardware/software at an advanced level to complete graphics, reports, presentations, create documents, and communicate with others.
  • Compose clear, concise, and visually appealing layouts through the use of composition, hierarchy, and typography in order to organize and convey information.
  • Create/manipulate basic vector illustrations for output.
  • Troubleshoot graphic design hardware/software applications to execute projects.
  • Present clear and concise information to the intended audience to execute projects.
  • Create new or modify existing forms, to include interactive elements (e.g. text-fields, checkboxes, buttons).
  • Create and adhere to project schedules appropriately to effectively manage priorities.
  • Determine the appropriate usage of design elements such as colors, fonts, size, message hierarchy, and symbols to formulate designs that will be most effective, appropriate, and visually appealing for a specific target audience, and that conform to department guidelines (e.g., handbook, manual).
  • Creative thinking to solve problems by developing high-quality design materials.
  • Incorporate feedback to make changes to initial designs or mockups to ensure designs conform to concepts and requests.
  • Manage daily work effectively to meet project deadlines.
  • Use a camera and photo editing software to make tonal corrections and other edits to ensure images and scanned documents will be of the highest quality for the final product based on the characteristics and quality of the image, and the type of media (e.g., print versus electronic) being developed.
  • Create, test, and prepare files for use in print and in electronic and/or digital communications.
  • Produce accurate proofs to ensure quality control and objectives are being met.
  • Examine printed materials to assess print quality, sharpness, contrast, and color correctness to ensure final product meets project parameters and quality standards.
  • Review finished graphics and designs from requestors to determine if they conform to original specifications or instructions.
  • Conceptualize designs based on the needs, purpose, ideas, and concepts for design work to translate ideas of stakeholders into visual concepts for initial layouts and mockups for review.
  • Develop concepts, implement edits, create proofs, and prepare files for final output.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships for a cohesive work environment.
  • Develop clear specifications and instructions for services to be provided by outside vendors to ensure vendors' products or services meet project needs.
  • Communicate with others to effectively convey information (e.g., spelling, sentence structure, grammar) to produce clear and concise written materials.
  • Build files to comply with accessibility requirements.
Ability to:
  • Communicate effectively for quality work production.
  • Apply color theory and typography for clear, concise communication and overall look and feel.
  • Apply creativity in the preparation of art-work to execute projects.
  • Learn and apply new software and processes to execute projects.
  • Produce freehand drawing and color illustration for quality work production.
  • Maintain project files to organize workload.
  • Design and prepare exhibit materials to execute projects.
  • Interpret written content in order to create appropriate visual components (e.g. illustrations, infographics, photos, layouts).
  • Analyze situations accurately and take effective action to execute projects.
  • Research subject matter to execute projects.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships for collaboration.
  • Negotiate to execute projects.
  • Present clear and concise information to the intended audience to execute projects.
  • Troubleshoot within graphics hardware/software applications to execute projects.
  • Prepare timely project status updates for stakeholders (e.g. supervisors, clients) to ensure efficient workflow.
  • Use time effectively to manage workload.
  • Consult with customers (e.g. clients, supervisors) to effectively work within a budget to provide cost effective solutions to execute projects.
Others:
  • Visual acuity and color vision sufficient to successfully perform the job.
  • Creative ability.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the GRAPHIC DESIGNER III 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.

Testing Departments

  • California Highway Patrol
  • State of California

Contact Information

California Highway Patrol
Selection Standards and Examinations Section
097/Examination Services
P.O. Box 942898
Sacramento, CA 94298-0001
Phone: (916) 843-3820

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 Highway Patrol 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)