Exam Bulletin

Department of State Hospitals

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-2557

Examination Plans Included:

  • VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY) - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.

Classification Details

VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY): $3,891.75 - $9,019.00 per Month

View the VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY) classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 1/3/2025
  • 2/7/2025

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.

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):

  • VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY) - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    2557

For VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02557

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 State Hospitals
    Selection Services Unit
    1215 O Street, MS 14
    Sacramento, CA 95814

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 State Hospitals
    Selection Services Unit
    1215 O Street, MS 14
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    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.

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.

00102436 - VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY)

Credential: Possession of a valid California teaching credential which authorizes the holder to teach, on a full-time basis, a vocational course in the appropriate subject specialty or Industrial Arts subspecialty. Applicants who do not possess this credential may take the examination, but must meet the requirements and have an application on file with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the appropriate credential before an appointment can be made and must secure the credential within 120 working days after appointment. After issuance, the credential must be maintained by completion of any required examinations of course work.
Special Physical Characteristics:

Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

Position Description

00102436 - VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY)

The using departments have differing programs and, therefore, place emphasis on differing duties, but in general, the instructor has an important role in the total rehabilitation process, as well as in teaching the skills which will train the individual for occupational opportunities in a specialty field. The instructor's tasks include: planning, assigning, and supervising the work of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; maintaining control and discipline in the classroom or shop; controlling all materials and equipment which may be used as potential weapons; preparing course work and daily lesson plans; counseling forensic clients, patients, or inmates as to their progress in the instructional program and working with forensic clients, patients, or inmates in establishing and meeting educational or vocational rehabilitative needs and goals; participating in program evaluation; participating in Trade Advisory Committee meetings; performing other related duties; and observing and intervening in instances of disruptive or assaultive behavior.

Assists staff in the counting, distribution, and accounting for all utensils to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting the facility to identify security breaches that could lead to forensic client, patient, or inmate escape; and observing and intervening in forensic client, patient, or inmate behavior that may signal an impending escape attempt.

Instructors may be assigned as relief instructors in specialties other than those for which they have been hired. In addition, instructors may work with treatment teams that combine the services of custody, academic, vocational, psychiatric, and casework personnel. The instructor provides information of an educational nature which will assist other members of the treatment team to better determine each forensic client's, patient's, or inmate's treatment needs. Once a treatment plan is developed, the Vocational Instructor, through the classroom curriculum, provides the types of experiences that are compatible with this plan.

Special Personal Characteristics:

An interest and a willingness to work at developmental centers, State hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; must be willing to continue their educational development; participate in group-oriented treatment programs; maintain a sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of developmentally, mentally, or physically disordered offenders; maintain high standards of morals and speech; tolerance; tact; patience; and emotional stability.

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

Examination Information

Applicants must submit their exam application AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period. For example, if you submit your exam application on July 8, 2024 (which is after the July 5, 2024 cut-off) you must complete the exam by August 2, 2024. Filing Cut-Off Dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

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.

Click the above link to take the exam after you have submitted your application. Exam responses must be received with the corresponding cut-off date as your application.

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: The methods, materials, tools, machines, equipment, and safety principles involved in teaching a particular vocational specialty. In addition, candidates must be willing to learn the principles, methods, practices, current developments, and trends in vocational education.

Ability to: Perform the duties of a journeyperson in the field of their specialty. Instructors must also have the ability to provide leadership and motivation to forensic clients, patients, or inmates of State developmental centers, hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; teach and supervise these individuals; work effectively with other disciplines; read and use drawings and sketches; estimate and order supplies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; maintain fair and firm discipline; keep records and prepare reports.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the VOCATIONAL INSTRUCTOR (LANDSCAPE GARDENING SAFETY) 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 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 in

  • Alameda County
  • Alpine County
  • Amador County
  • Butte County
  • Calaveras County
  • Colusa County
  • Contra Costa County
  • Del Norte County
  • El Dorado County
  • Fresno County
  • Glenn County
  • Humboldt County
  • Imperial County
  • Inyo County
  • Kern County
  • Kings County
  • Lake County
  • Lassen County
  • Madera County
  • Marin County
  • Mariposa County
  • Mendocino County
  • Merced County
  • Modoc County
  • Mono County
  • Monterey County
  • Napa County
  • Nevada County
  • Orange County
  • Placer County
  • Plumas County
  • Riverside County
  • Sacramento County
  • San Benito County
  • San Bernardino County
  • San Diego County
  • San Francisco County
  • San Joaquin County
  • San Luis Obispo County
  • San Mateo County
  • Santa Barbara County
  • Santa Clara County
  • Santa Cruz County
  • Shasta County
  • Sierra County
  • Siskiyou County
  • Solano County
  • Sonoma County
  • Stanislaus County
  • Sutter County
  • Tehama County
  • Trinity County
  • Tulare County
  • Tuolumne County
  • Ventura County
  • Yolo County
  • Yuba County
  • Los Angeles County
  • Cook County
  • New York County
  • Harris County
  • Honolulu County

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.

Training and Experience Examination Preview

Instructions:

 

Rate your knowledge and experience performing specific job-related tasks.

 

Task:

 

1. Assist with preparing students (patients/clients) to become productive and contributing members of society by training them in a trade or vocational skill.

 

2. Teach landscape gardening techniques to students (patients/clients) in order to prepare them for job opportunities and become productive and contributing members of society.

 

3. Set up and maintain a safe, clean and organized training environment with the necessary materials in order to effectively teach landscaping techniques and assist students (patients/clients) to become productive and contributing members of society.

 

4. Direct training activities such as tool maintenance and other basic landscape skills within designated training areas for the purpose of preparing students (patients/clients) to become productive and contributing members of society. 

 

5. Develop training curriculum, task analysis and safety procedures to provide a multi-faceted vocational education program.

 

6. Maintain equipment and supplies used as part of the vocational program.

 

7. Develop tasks and activities to gauge student (patient/client) progress as noted in monthly documentation.

 

8. Conduct group activities by utilizing behavior management techniques in order to promote treatment goals.

 

9. Support a safe and hazard-free workplace through practice of personal safety and vigilance in the identification of safety or security hazards.

 

10. Participate on an interdisciplinary treatment team to maintain active and supportive communication with the patients and other members of the treatment team by discussing progress, problems, and other issues related to the patient’s vocational program.

 

11. Manage a budget to purchase materials, tools and equipment by coordinating program mechanics with security regulations for approval of items purchased.

 

12. Coordinate efforts of staff assigned to the site by scheduling classes, procuring materials, and planning lessons to provide a cohesive and successful vocational education program.

 

Knowledge, Skill, or Ability:

 

1. Knowledge of the methods, materials, tools, machines, equipment, and safety principles involved in teaching Landscape Gardening.

 

2. Ability to maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or others.

 

3. Ability to perform the duties of a journeyperson in Landscape Gardening.

 

4. Ability to provide leadership and motivation to students (patients/clients).

 

5. Ability to teach and supervise students (patients/clients) Landscape Gardening skills.

 

6. Ability to work effectively with other disciplines.

 

7. Ability to estimate and order supplies.

 

8. Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

 

9. Ability to maintain fair and firm discipline.

 

10. Ability to keep records and prepare reports.

 

11. Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with others.

Testing Departments

  • Department of State Hospitals
  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of State Hospitals
Department of State Hospitals - Sacramento
Human Resources Office
1215 O Street, MS 14
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 654-2351

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 State Hospitals 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)