Exam Bulletin - Automobile Mechanic, Correctional Facility

Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

Exam Code: EX-3643

Examination Plans Included:

  • AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES) - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Drop off applicaiton address updated

Classification Details

AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES): $4,833.00 - $5,786.00 per Month

View the AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES) classification specification.

Application Instructions

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications for this examination by the cut-off date

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 9/2/2025
  • 10/1/2025
  • 11/3/2025
  • 12/1/2025
  • 1/2/2026
  • 2/2/2026
  • 3/2/2026
  • 4/1/2026
  • 5/1/2026
  • 6/1/2026
  • 7/1/2026

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.

Note: Check back periodically as cut-off dates may be added in the future. Additionally, cut-off dates are subject to change or be cancelled at any time. Such changes or cancellations will be cancelled at any time. Such changes or cancellations will be in accordance with civil service laws rules.

 

Results notices will be sent in 6 - 7 weeks following each cut-off date. Please contact Talent Acquisition at (279) 223-2700 if you have not received your notice after 7 weeks.

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):

  • AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES) - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    3643

For AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03643

How To Apply:

All applicants must complete and submit an Examination Application (STD. 678) and Qualifications Assessment.

NOTE: Applications submitted by mail or in person must be signed.

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 Corrections & Rehabilitation
    Talent Acquisition - Examination Services Unit
    P.O. Box 942883
    Sacramento, CA 94283-0001

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 Corrections & Rehabilitation
    Talent Acquisition - Examination Services Unit
    9825 Goethe Road, Suite 200
    Sacramento, CA 95827-3565
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    (Drop off not available on weekends and holidays)

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.

The following items must be submitted with your Examination/Employment Application form. Failure to submit these items may result in rejection of your application.

  • Transcript (Official or Unofficial)
  • Certificate - Completion of a recognized apprenticeship

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.

00106868 - AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES)

Possession of a Class III California driver’s license valid for the operation of any two-axle single-motor vehicle and one towed vehicle (i.e., a trailer with a gross weight of 6,000 pounds or less).  Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination, but must secure the license prior to appointment. and

 

Either 1

Experience:  Twelve months of experience as an Automobile Mechanic Trainee, Range C, in California state service. and

Education: Eighteen semester units in automobile mechanics from an accredited junior college or comparable institution.

 

Or 2

Four years of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Mechanic’s Helper, at least one year of which shall have included experience in the overhaul and repair of the major components of automotive equipment.

 

Or 3

Completion of a recognized apprenticeship as an Automobile Mechanic.  (Apprentices who are within six months of completing their apprenticeship program may be admitted to the examination, but they must present evidence of completion of a recognized apprenticeship before they may be appointed.)

 

Or 4

Three years of experience diagnosing malfunctions, overhauling, repairing, and maintaining engines, automatic and standard transmissions, clutch, and brake systems, and other major components of automobiles and trucks.  [Successful completion of automotive technology or automotive mechanics technology vocational education or training courses offered by an institution recognized of accredited by the Western Associate of Schools and Colleges may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience on the basis of three (3) semester units or four and one-half quarter units, equal to one (1) month experience.]

  

OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE: A “completion of an out-of-class assignment” memorandum, dated within one year of assignment completion, is required to use as out-of-class experience to meet the minimum qualifications for examination purposes. Employees may obtain this documentation from his/her Institutional Personnel Officer/Personnel Liaison. Out-of-class experience without required documentation will not be considered for examination purposes.

Position Description

00106868 - AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES)

An Automobile Mechanic, Correctional Facility, under direction, performs skilled work in the adjustment, servicing, and repair of automotive equipment; maintains order and supervises the conduct of incarcerated persons; protects and maintains the safety of persons and property; may instruct, lead or supervise incarcerated persons; inspects automotive equipment to determine the corrective action necessary; makes major repairs to automotive equipment, including major engine overhauls, tune-ups, relining and adjusting brakes, wheel aligning, transmission and differential replacement and repair, electrical replacement and repair, and minor body repair; operates and maintains automotive shop equipment; advises in the selection and storage of automotive parts and equipment; estimates the cost of automotive repairs; instructs operators in the proper  operation and servicing of their equipment; does minor welding and brazing work; keeps simple records and makes reports; test drives vehicles on public streets; instructs and supervises unskilled assistants; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves or others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches incarcerated persons for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs and does other related work.

Positions exist statewide with CDCR.

Persons appointed to positions in this class must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental, and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well-being or that of their fellow employees or that of incarcerated persons.  Assignments during tour of duty may include sole responsibility for the supervision of incarcerated persons, and/or the protection of personal and real property.

Possession of a Class A Motor Vehicle Pollution Control Device Installer’s License.

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.

Qualifications Assessment for Automobile Mechanic, Correctional Facility is available from the CDCR website at: Automobile Mechanic, Correctional Facility.

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:

Scope:  Emphasis in the examination will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each candidate’s:

 

Knowledge of:

  1. Methods, tools, materials, and equipment used in the maintenance, adjustment, and repair of automotive equipment, including internal combustion engines.
  2. Methods used in a program of preventive maintenance for automotive equipment.

 

Skill in:

  1. Adjustment and repair of automotive equipment.

 

Ability to:

    1. Operate machine tools used in automotive repair and do welding and brazing work.
    2. Inspect automotive equipment, locate defects, and estimate the cost of repairs.
    3. Read, interpret, and work from plans, drawings, and specifications.
    4. Requisition and store a supply of automotive parts.
    5. Keep records and make reports.
    6. Instruct and supervise unskilled assistants.
    7. Follow oral and written directions.
    8. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
    9. Read and write at a level appropriate to the classification.

    Eligible List Information

    A Departmental Open eligible list for the AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES) Classification will be established for:

    • Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

    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.

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) are committed to building an inclusive and culturally diverse workplace. We are determined to attract and hire more candidates from diverse communities and empower all employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts to increase representation at all levels of the Department.

    Testing Departments

    • Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

    Contact Information

    Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

    Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
    Talent Acquisition - Examination Services Unit
    9825 Goethe Road, Suite 200
    Sacramento, CA 95827-3565
    Phone: (279) 223-2700
    HRCustomerConnect@cdcr.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 Corrections & Rehabilitation 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)