Exam Bulletin - Senior Telecommunications Engineer

State of California

Exam Code: EX-2592

Examination Plans Included:

  • SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Any editable section on the Exam Bulletin has been updated.

Classification Details

SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER: $11,104.00 - $13,898.00 per Month

View the SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER 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.

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 TELECOMMUNICATIONS 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):

    2592

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

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02592

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.

00103637 - SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

Education: Candidates applying under non-State requirements must meet the following education requirements: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in electrical, electronic, or communications engineering. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) (A Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering with specialization in electronics or communications may be substituted for the required experience for Assistant Telecommunications Engineer. Applicants who are pursuing graduate work toward a master's degree will be admitted to the examination, but they must receive the degree before they will be considered for appointment.)

and

Either 1

Two years of experience performing the duties of an Associate Telecommunications Engineer.

Or 2

Five years of engineering experience in the field of telecommunications which must have included three years in the design, construction, or maintenance of radio communications systems or wire communications systems.

Position Description

00103637 - SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEER

This is the first supervisory level of the series. Under general direction, incumbents plan and direct the work of a staff in an assigned program area; or as a nonsupervisor, make telecommunication engineering surveys and studies of major statewide importance.

Special Personal Characteristics

Willingness to travel throughout the State; tact, and reliability.

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. Electronics theory 
  2. Engineering mathematics
  3. Principles, practices, methods, terminology and trends in wire communication systems engineering and mobile and microwave radio communications engineering including the fields of radio frequency allocations, electromagnetic wave propagation, radio field strength measurements and tolerances 
  4. Theory and operation of telephone, data telegraph and teletype systems 
  5. Engineering economics 
  6. Federal Communications Commission rules and regulations 
  7. Traffic handling procedures 
  8. California State Communications Law and the Federal Communications Act of 1934
  9. Principles of personnel management and supervision 
  10. Procedures used in hearings before regulatory bodies, methods of organization 
  11. Principles of budgeting 
  12. Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives 
  13. A manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives
Ability to:
  1. Perform radio and electronic research projects 
  2. Prepare engineering reports and surveys 
  3. Design 
  4. Write specifications and make final engineering recommendations on various radio and wire communications systems 
  5. Analyze technical data 
  6. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the work 
  7. Interpret and apply provisions of the California State Communications Act and the Federal Communications Act of 1934 
  8. Apply knowledge of wire communications systems to the communications problems of State agencies 
  9. Secure a valid second class or higher radio-telephone operator license issued by the Federal Communications Commission when such license is or will be necessary for performance of the assigned work
  10. Plan, organize and direct the work of a group of telecommunications engineers 
  11. Effectively contribute to the department's affirmative action objectives

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the SENIOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS 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 Telecommunications Engineer Training and Experience Exam Preview

Section 1: Task Ratings for Senior Telecommunications Engineer

Instructions:
Using the rating scales provided below, you will 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 statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided.

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

1. Designing telecommunication systems (e.g., wireline, radio, fiber, satellite) to satisfy voice, video, and/or data requirements of an end user.
2. Conducting telecommunication studies/surveys utilizing appropriate tools or methods (e.g., computer simulation modeling, field strength measurements, analytical calculations) to predict system performance related to satisfying end user requirements.
3. Conducting telecommunication systems studies to identify and evaluate alternatives, estimate costs, and recommend solutions for satisfying end user requirements.
4. Developing and writing technical specifications for telecommunication systems to satisfy end user requirements.
5. Developing and writing technical specifications for telecommunication equipment to satisfy end user requirements.
6. Evaluating vendor proposals for telecommunication systems and/or equipment to ensure compliance with technical specifications and end user requirements.
7. Conducting acceptance testing on equipment and systems to verify specification compliance.
8. Developing technical standards for telecommunication systems to ensure compliance with federal, state and local requirements, and for effective implementation, operation, and maintainability.
9. Applying appropriate standards to the design, implementation and management of telecommunication systems.
10. Acting as technical advisor to management on telecommunication issues.
11. Preparing engineering reports (e.g., feasibility reports, functionality reports, study reports) for presentation to stakeholders.
12. Analyzing technical data to determine if new equipment is compatible with other system components.
13. Planning, leading, and directing the work activities of staff to ensure projects are completed within established timeframes and budget.
14. Developing and monitoring a program or work unit to ensure appropriate spending of approved budget.
15. Identifying and resolving employee performance problems to improve worker performance and productivity.
16. Administering provisions of collective bargaining agreements to ensure compliance in the course of supervising represented employees.
17. Establishing controls (e.g., project plans, schedules, risk analysis) to ensure the timely completion of work tasks.
18. Monitoring and managing controls (e.g., project plans, schedules, risk analysis) to ensure the timely completion of work tasks.
19. Managing the implementation of projects to control scope creep with regard to budget and schedule impact.

Section 2: Knowledge, Skill and Ability Ratings for Senior Telecommunications Engineer

Instructions:
Using the rating scale provided below, you will rate your experience in accordance to specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every statement by marking one option from the scale(s) provided.

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

20. Knowledge of the theory and principles of telecommunications and electronics for the installation, maintenance, modification, and repair of equipment and systems.
21. Ability to apply the theory and principles of telecommunications and electronics for the installation, maintenance, modification, and repair of equipment and systems.
22. Knowledge of the design, uses, and functions of telecommunication systems and equipment (e.g., wireline, radio, fiber, satellite, data communications, telephone systems).
23. Ability to delegate work assignments at the appropriate level of responsibility.
24. Knowledge of leadership practices and motivational techniques to maintain a productive work environment.
25. Ability to effectively manage changes in scope, schedule and/or resources for a telecommunications project or task.
26. Ability to write technical reports to communicate complex information to various audiences.
27. Ability to effectively communicate in front of groups to facilitate an open exchange of ideas.

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)