Exam Bulletin

Department of State Hospitals

Multiple Testing Departments. Please see list of Departments.

Exam Code: EX-3319

Examination Plans Included:

  • AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES - 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.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.

Classification Details

AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES: $3,991.00 - $5,226.00 per Month

View the AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 1/2/2026
  • 2/6/2026
  • 3/6/2026
  • 4/3/2026
  • 5/1/2026
  • 6/5/2026
  • 7/3/2026
  • 8/7/2026
  • 9/4/2026
  • 10/2/2026
  • 11/6/2026
  • 12/4/2026

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):

  • AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    3319

For AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03319

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.

00106386 - AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Possession of a driver license valid for operation of any bus designed to carry more than 15 passengers, any single vehicle with three or more axles, any such vehicle towing another vehicle weighing less than 6,000 pounds gross. Applicants who do not possess this license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment. and

One year of experience in the operation and care of automotive equipment, including light trucks.

Drug Testing Requirement:

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug screening test. Testing of current employees who are applicants in an examination or who are transferring is permitted only if the person does not have a current appointment to a class for which drug testing is a requirement.

Position Description

00106386 - AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES

Operates, services, washes, and makes minor adjustments and repairs to passenger vehicles, trucks, small-wheeled tractors, and other automotive equipment; transports passengers; loads, unloads, and delivers laundry, ice, food, furniture, freight, farm products, gravel, rubbish, and other materials; performs miscellaneous manual laboring work and messenger service; supervises the work of helpers; keeps simple records.

Special Personal Characteristics:

Willingness and ability to do general manual labor, tact, and patience.

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.

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: Operating, servicing, and making minor adjustments and repairs on various kinds of automotive equipment, including passenger vehicles and trucks; provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code pertaining to the operation of vehicles on the highway.

Skill in: Operating, servicing, and making minor adjustments and repairs on various kinds of automotive equipment, including passenger vehicles and trucks.

Ability to: Load and unload vehicles correctly and safely; demonstrate good mechanical ability; follow directions; do simple clerical work; supervise the work of helpers.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPERATOR I, DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES 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.

Examination Preview

Instructions:

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

Task:

1. Maintain daily inventory of all equipment used, using weekly/quarterly reports and visual observation to ensure all are accounted for.

2. Conduct pre/post trip inspections on all facility vehicles using visual observation and appropriate tools to ensure operational safety before being dispatched.

3. Transport passengers (up to 15 passengers) by operating facility automobiles/busses to transport patients and outside contractors to on-and-off facility grounds to attend appointments and conduct other facility business as needed.

4. Pick up and deliver food and supplies within facility using proper truck dollies, freight carts, transit wheels, and other equipment.

5. Collect and distribute all linens used and needed within facility using delivery equipment/automobiles, as needed to designated areas.

6. Perform manual labor duties using proper lifting, pushing, and pulling techniques in accordance with all health and safety standards.

7. Operate large delivery vehicles, requiring class B license and air brake endorsement to transport materials and equipment.

8. Operate passenger vehicles, requiring class B license, and passenger endorsement to transport patients.

9. Pick-up medical waste/bio-hazardous items ensuring proper disposal of containers using proper dollies and other equipment.

10. Oversee cleanliness of fleet vehicles, adhering to a daily/weekly maintenance schedule to ensure all vehicles are washed and cleaned.

11. Collect all meals from kitchen areas using refrigerated trucks and re-therming units and deliver to facility dining areas as needed.

12. Pick-up and deliver freight and supplies from local businesses within 50 miles of facility using delivery automobiles.

13. Pick-up and deliver materials (e.g., pharmaceuticals, office products) from facility storeroom using facility delivery automobiles and deliver to locations inside/outside the facility.

14. Pick-up and dispose of trash and other refuse from various areas of the facility using manual and motorized refuse collecting equipment to maintain cleanliness of facility.

Knowledge, Skill, or Ability:

1. Knowledge of safety principles and practices in the operation, service and making of minor adjustments/repairs on vehicles operated within classification (i.e. passenger vehicles, trucks).

2. Knowledge of proper handling, loading/unloading, and transportation procedures for various types of supplies.

3. Knowledge of proper disposal methods for trash, biohazard materials, recyclable items, and cleaning supplies/chemicals.

4. Knowledge of automotive maintenance requirements of an institutional-type organization.

5. Knowledge of the correct methods for controlling the spread of pathogens appropriate to job class and assignment.

6. Ability to be flexible in adapting to changes in priorities, work assignments, and other issues that may impact pre-established courses of action for completing assignments.

7. Ability to maintain vehicle/equipment maintenance logs, patient record logs, delivery slips, and daily vehicle inspection logs.

8. Ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate situations or problems to implement appropriate courses of action.

9. Ability to load and unload vehicles correctly and safely.

10. Ability to safely operate passenger vehicles, trucks, forklifts, and other automotive equipment.

Testing Departments

  • Department of State Hospitals
  • State of California

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of State Hospitals
Selection Services Unit
1215 O Street, MS 14
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-8832
SacramentoExamsUnit@dsh.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.

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)