Exam Bulletin - Senior Mechanical Engineer

State of California

Exam Code: EX-2581

Examination Plans Included:

  • SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER - Open

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

Classification Details

SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER: $10,876.00 - $13,610.00 per Month

View the SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER classification specification.

Application Instructions

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

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):

  • SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    2581

For SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02581

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.

00103579 - SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Experience: Five years of professional mechanical engineering experience, at least two years of which shall have been in design and inspection work in several of the fields discussed in "TYPICAL TASKS" below, and comparable in responsibility to that of an Associate Mechanical Engineer in the California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in mechanical engineering. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Position Description

00103579 - SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER

TYPICAL TASKS

Plans, organizes, assigns and checks work, gives instructions and assistance, evaluates performance, and makes technical decisions in connection with the supervision of the work of a group of designers and drafting technicians engaged in making complete designs, construction drawings, and specifications of major mechanical installations, such as heating and air-conditioning, ventilation, refrigeration, plumbing, sewage collection systems, water supply and water purification systems, drainage systems, and steam generating plants; writes technical specifications; checks drawings and makes cost estimates of mechanical systems; makes detailed inspections of construction operations in the field; makes independent surveys covering installation, repair, and recommended improvements to mechanical systems; coordinates the work of engineers and contractors; dictates correspondence and prepares reports.

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 examination.

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.

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. Design of plans, specifications, and estimates for heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, sanitary, water, water purification and drainage systems, and steam generating plants in common use
  2. Hydraulics pertaining to the design of water systems, pressure tanks, sewer systems, and other similar installations
  3. Various codes and safety orders and regulations governing the design and installation of mechanical equipment, including electric motors
  4. Materials and maintenance costs in connection with mechanical installations
  5. Electrical engineering as applied to motors in connection with air-conditioning, refrigeration, and blower systems
  6. Principles of effective supervision
  7. Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives
  8. A manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.
Ability to:
  1. Supervise the preparation of plans, specifications, and estimates for heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigeration, plumbing, sanitary, water, water purification and drainage systems, and steam generating plants in common use
  2. Plan and supervise the work of others
  3. Make field inspections and surveys and prepare reports and recommendations
  4. Direct or inspect field construction operations
  5. Check drawings and specifications
  6. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work
  7. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
  8. Dictate correspondence and prepare reports
  9. Effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the SENIOR MECHANICAL ENGINEER 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 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.

Senior Mechanical Engineer Training and Experience Examination Preview

Instructions:
Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information provided.

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE, whether paid or volunteer, your EDUCATION, and/or FORMAL TRAINING COURSES you have completed.

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position. Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience. All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks
  1. Preparing and reviewing engineering designs, plans, layouts, and calculations using computer programs (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, Excel, Energy Modeling, and hand-drafting tools) in accordance with organizational guidelines.
  2. Writing standards, procedures, and technical specifications for mechanical equipment, systems, and operations.
  3. Performing and/or overseeing engineering computations (e.g., heat loss and gain, pressure drops, load calculations, pipe and duct sizing) in order to determine capacity, size, and quantity of mechanical systems and components.
  4. Designing and detailing mechanical systems for the installation and/or repair of mechanical equipment or systems (e.g., branch piping and ducts, equipment supports, plumbing fixture connections) to sustain safe operation of building systems.
  5. Recommending improvements to existing mechanical equipment or systems to sustain safe operation of building systems.
  6. Producing biddable and buildable contract documents for the construction of new facilities or upgrading of existing facilities.
  7. Coordinating mechanical drawings with various project disciplines (i.e., architectural, landscape, structural, electrical, civil, estimating) using regulatory guidelines, specifications, contract documents, plans, and input from project disciplines.
  8. Reviewing contract plans and specifications prior to bidding for conformance with design and contract documents, applicable construction codes, and standards to produce a complete set of plans, specifications, and estimates.
  9. Reviewing and providing comments on contractors’ drawings and submittals for conformance with design and contract documents, and applicable construction codes and standards.
  10. Verifying proper operations of mechanical systems through correspondence with clients and detailed inspections of materials, equipment, and installations to ensure proper design and construction.
  11. Conducting engineering field investigations of potential or existing job sites for the installation of mechanical systems.
  12. Evaluating problems related to mechanical systems for various facilities to determine existing field conditions to maintain compliance with state laws and regulations.
  13. Preparing and/or composing engineering reports and memoranda covering design analysis, engineering criteria, construction inspection, meetings, and discussions in accordance with organizational guidelines.
  14. Contacting manufacturers regarding mechanical equipment, specifications, installations, and cost estimates to prepare project plans, specifications, and estimates.
  15. Providing guidance and technical direction to peers, engineers, designers, and delineators/draft persons to prepare studies, plans, specifications, and estimates.
  16. Maintaining cooperative relations with peers, consultants, contractors, and other engineering personnel to ensure the timely and accurate completion of projects.
  17. Managing project tasks (e.g., initiating job requests, coordinating team work, developing budgets) to ensure the timely and accurate completion of projects.
  18. Keeping abreast of new technology and equipment by attending training, conferences, engineering society meetings, and/or conducting research to accomplish organizational goals.
  19. Representing the interests of the organization utilizing interpersonal skills, professionalism, and personal knowledge regarding mechanical engineering matters to obtain or provide information in formal and informal settings.
  20. Utilizing computer programs (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit, EnergyPro, Trane TRACE) to ensure the timely and accurate completion of projects.
  21. Conducting sustainability evaluations for green building design such as water and energy conservation to reduce resource consumption in compliance with organizational guidelines.
  22. Performing value engineering on mechanical aspects of projects to obtain the best value for a project.
  23. Assigning and scheduling engineering project tasks that impact mechanical engineering work to ensure the timely and accurate completion of projects.
  24. Performing studies, research, and investigations to replace or repair mechanical systems, buildings, and various facilities.

Testing Departments

  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

State of California
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
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.

State of California 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)