Exam Bulletin

Department of Transportation

Exam Code: EX-3448

Examination Plans Included:

  • LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN - 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.

Classification Details

LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN: $4,340.00 - $6,227.00 per Month

View the LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN classification specification.

Application Instructions

Please Note: Examinations and Applications must both be submitted via ECOS and Surveymonkey for your attempt to be considered.  Your cut-off window for processing is determined only after both items have been received.  Results may take between 4-6 weeks to process after each cut-off date indicated above. 

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 1/31/2025
  • 4/30/2025
  • 7/31/2025
  • 10/31/2025

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):

  • LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    3448

For LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03448

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:

  • Caltrans Examination Services (MS 86)
    Caltrans
    Examination Services
    P.O. Box 168036
    Sacramento, CA 95816-8036

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:

  • Caltrans
    Examination Services
    1727 30th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95816
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    **Candidates are responsible for obtaining proof of mailing or submission of their exam.

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.

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.

00101769 - LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN

Either I

Two years of experience in the California state service working in a landscape architecture unit performing duties comparable to those of a Junior Engineering Technician, Drafting Services Aid, Range B, or Delineator.

Or II

Three years of increasingly responsible landscape architectural experience in a landscape architectural office. [Full-time study (30 semester units or the equivalent number of quarter units) in Agricultural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Architecture, Irrigation Management, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Management, Ornamental Horticulture, or another closely related field from an accredited college or university or a college or university approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 3, may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis up to a maximum of two years of experience.]

Or III

A certificate of completion of a Landscape Architecture Program from the University of California, Irvine Extension, or Los Angeles Extension.

Or IV

A Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Engineering, Architectural Engineering, Architecture, Irrigation Management, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Management, Ornamental Horticulture, or another closely related field. (Registration as a senior in an accredited college or university or a college or university approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 3, will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Position Description

00101769 - LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN

Assists landscape architects in the preparation and design of both simple and complex landscape architectural projects, including: drafting contract planting and irrigation plans; refining and expanding upon sketches prepared by landscape architects; preparing presentation, graphic, and perspective drawings for landscaping and transportation facility structures and for visual and scenic resource studies; preparing base layout plans and field checking such plans for accuracy; developing quantities for the preparation of preliminary estimates for landscape architectural projects; coordinating landscape activities with various phases of engineering work; designing simple irrigation systems and sizing pipe and other irrigation components; preparing specifications; contacting utility companies to arrange for utility services; preparing correspondence and various types of reports, including assisting in the preparation of environmental documents; using and assisting others in the use of computer-aided drafting and various other technical aids; assisting in the inspection of construction projects involving planting or irrigation systems and preparing inspection notes and performing calculations; assisting in the review of permit requests for planting projects on highway right of way; and performing other related activities in support of the landscape architectural program.

Additional Desirable Qualification:

Education equivalent to completion of the 12th grade.

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

Examination Information

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: State-of-the-art technology, i.e., Computer-Aided Drafting/Design (CADD) and related computer programs; scope, problems, and methods of landscape architectural design, procedures, practices, and landscape construction; adaptability, requirements, and use of plants, shrubs, and trees, both native and cultivated, in different landscaping situations; engineering as applied to landscaping features; California soil conditions; soil preparation, irrigation, and planting techniques; the safety and health policies and procedures contained in the Department's Injury and Illness Prevention Program; basic safe work practices.

Ability to: Communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance; understand landscape architectural design work, and refine and develop design sketches for landscape architectural projects in connection with transportation facilities and buildings; read, interpret, and prepare plans; prepare sketches for details on major beautification projects and act as leadworker on the construction of such projects; use state-of-the-art technology, i.e., Computer-Aided Drafting/Design (CADD) and related computer programs; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; prepare correspondence and reports.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Transportation

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.

Testing Departments

  • Department of Transportation

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Transportation
California Department of Transportation
Examination & Recruitment Services MS-86
P O Box 168036
Sacramento, CA 95816-8036
Phone: (916) 227-7858
askexams@dot.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 Transportation 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)