Exam Bulletin - State Park Interpreter I

Department of Parks & Recreation

Exam Code: EX-2744

Examination Plans Included:

  • STATE PARK INTERPRETER I - Open

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

Classification Details

STATE PARK INTERPRETER I: $4,514.00 - $5,653.00 per Month

View the STATE PARK INTERPRETER I 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):

  • STATE PARK INTERPRETER I - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    2744

For STATE PARK INTERPRETER I, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 9 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02744

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.

00102826 - STATE PARK INTERPRETER I

Experience: One year of experience in research and development of historical or natural resource interpretive programs. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in interpretation, social sciences, natural sciences, communications, or closely related fields. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on a year- for-year basis.)

Position Description

00102826 - STATE PARK INTERPRETER I

Assists in planning, developing, and researching portions of large interpretive projects; directs the work of intermittent staff on small interpretive projects; performs the less difficult research and development of material for interpretive projects; maintains a reference library, and photographic and specimen collections; compiles information and prepares reports and other interpretive material; assists in training intermittent and other staff in interpretive methods and techniques; assists in the planning and development of material for interpretive exhibits.

Special Personal Characteristics

Willingness to travel throughout the State and to work irregular hours and weekends.

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. Methods and techniques of interpretation
  2. Principles of public interpretation
  3. Principles of exhibit design and preparation
  4. Natural and social sciences
  5. Scientific research methods
  6. Audio-visual techniques
  7. Methods and techniques used in preserving and interpreting historical objects, sites and buildings
  8. The diverse media used in commercial or fine art
  9. California cultural and natural history
Ability to:
  1. Plan interpretive exhibits and programs
  2. Coordinate the interpretive input of other specialists
  3. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action
  4. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of the work
  5. Interpret historical concepts to the public
  6. Communicate effectively
  7. Keep necessary records and prepare reports
  8. Analyze facts and draw conclusions

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the STATE PARK INTERPRETER I Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Parks & Recreation

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.

State Park Interpreter I 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. 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. Conducting research regarding the cultural and/or natural history of an area or site (e.g., trails, historic area, historic buildings, plants and animals, geology, habitat areas) in order to plan and develop themes and content for interpretive programs (e.g., natural and cultural field trips, environmental and cultural study programs).
  2. Assessing the quality of information (e.g., authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage) obtained through research by evaluating the source through methods of cross-referencing and verifying the information with experts in the field (e.g., primary sources, historians, subject matter experts).
  3. Developing goals and objectives (e.g., increasing environmental awareness, species preservation, historical preservation) for educational or interpretive programs.
  4. Developing and/or reviewing interpretive program content or materials (e.g., audio/visual props, themed costumes, narration, handout materials, digital content) by translating concepts gathered from research into a presentation that is organized, thematic and is easily understood by and relevant to visitors.
  5. Preparing reports to explain and/or present plans, objectives or proposals; and/or summarize information.
  6. Reviewing public feedback collected from various sources (e.g., visitor surveys, reviews, social media) to identify trends and/or issues in order to inform the planning, modification, and development of interpretive programs.
  7. Assessing current interpretive programs to determine program effectiveness, if changes are required, if visitor needs are being met, and/or if interpretive program resources (e.g., staff, exhibits, facilities, technology) are being effectively utilized.
  8. Identifying the resources needed (e.g., financial, personnel, materials and facilities) for new interpretive programs.
  9. Identifying tactile or visual objects (e.g., specimens, artifacts, natural resources, animals) to be used in interpretive programs.
  10. Planning the interpretive program format (e.g., walk, site talk, demonstration, virtual tour), reviewing the program details (e.g., theme, content, materials, available resources, visitor characteristics, ADA considerations), and compiling the information into an outline.
  11. Planning interpretive program routes (e.g., physical or virtual tours) based on a consideration of the physical and environmental factors (e.g., physical terrain, distance, weather, wildlife) by identifying accessible pathways and avoiding hazards (e.g., uneven terrains, steep inclines/declines, potentially dangerous animals that could be encountered) to map out a safe and enjoyable route.
  12. Developing interpretive media (e.g., publications, bulletin boards, trail panels, digital media, kiosks) by translating concepts gathered from research into language and images that are relevant to and easily understood by visitors.
  13. Communicating effectively with members of the public verbally and/or in writing to increase attendance and interest in interpretive programs.
  14. Designing informational and/or promotional materials (e.g., flyers, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, social media, notifications) for events and community engagement purposes.
  15. Taking and/or editing photographs and/or video content for use in interpretive programs, exhibits, publications, digital media and/or promotional materials (e.g., brochures, flyers, pamphlets, social media).
  16. Maintaining accurate records to track, monitor, and document information.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Parks & Recreation

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Parks & Recreation
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Phone: (916) 902-8674

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 Parks & Recreation 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)