Exam Bulletin - Engineer, Civil

State of California

Exam Code: EX-3854

Examination Plans Included:

  • ENGINEER,CIVIL - Open

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

Classification Details

ENGINEER,CIVIL: $6,299.00 - $7,510.00 (A) per Month
ENGINEER,CIVIL: $7,212.00 - $9,025.00 (B) per Month
ENGINEER,CIVIL: $8,637.00 - $10,807.00 (C) per Month
ENGINEER,CIVIL: $9,429.00 - $11,798.00 (D) per Month

View the ENGINEER,CIVIL 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):

  • ENGINEER,CIVIL - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    3854

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

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-03854

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.

00103130 - ENGINEER,CIVIL

Either 1

Graduation from a four-year curriculum in civil engineering accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology. (Registration as a senior in such a curriculum will admit an applicant to the qualifying examination, but must produce evidence of graduation before being considered eligible for appointment.) (Possession of a valid certificate as an Engineer-in-Training issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, and Geologists, or issued by another jurisdiction and accepted by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors, and Geologists in lieu of the first division of the examination as an engineer may be substituted for the required education.)

Or 2

Possession of equivalent qualifications may be demonstrated by graduation from an engineering curriculum which includes the basic engineering courses normally covered in a standard four-year engineering curriculum, and by qualifying in a written examination covering basic engineering. (Registration as a senior in such a curriculum will admit an applicant to the qualifying examination, but must produce evidence of graduation before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Or 3

A master's or doctorate degree in a civil engineering curriculum from a college or university that has a baccalaureate degree program in a civil engineering curriculum which is accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering Technology. (Registration as a candidate in such a curriculum will admit an applicant to the qualifying examination but must produce evidence of graduation before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Position Description

00103130 - ENGINEER,CIVIL

An Engineer, Civil prepares engineering design documents, specifications and estimates for various types of onshore/offshore construction and maintenance projects, including buildings, bridges, roads, wharves, piers, offshore structures, pipelines, outfalls, dams, aqueducts, levees, ditches, retaining walls, and similar structures; prepares maps, plans, charts, and diagrams; plans and directs the work of survey parties; makes foundation studies and lays out water mains, sewers, sewage structures, outfalls, disposal plants, and drainage systems; inspects structures under construction; provides construction oversight,  inspects existing structures, prepares repair plans and cost estimates of repairs; determines the hydraulic properties of stream channels and hydraulic systems and structures, analyzes hydrologic data to determine flood frequencies, unit hydrographs and the characteristics of water quality, precipitation, stream flow, and ground water; analyzes and designs site grading plans, erosion control measures, and storm-water management plans; writes memoranda and prepares reports; keeps or assists in keeping the necessary records pertaining to construction progress, job expenditures, budget programs, and work order balances; confers with contractors regarding compliance with plans and quality of work and construction activity; monitors the preparation of maps, plans, charts, or diagrams; monitors the maintenance of various engineering records and performs difficult engineering office work in connection with budget preparation, purchases, cost analyses, and progress reports; plans and directs field surveys; inspects or directs the inspection of structures under construction or repair; makes detailed analyses of proposed projects for the economic as well as the practical engineering phases; analyzes and prepares description of property; makes specialized technical studies and investigations and performs difficult research work; prepares complete and comprehensive reports and makes recommendations on engineering problems.

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
1Online ExamContinuous100%

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. Principles and practices of civil engineering
  2. Surveying 
  3. Hydraulics 
  4. Engineering mathematics 
  5. Stress analysis, design of simple structures
  6. Strength, properties, and uses of the materials of engineering construction 
  7. Common descriptions of real property
  8. Hydrology
  9. Valuation methods, procedure, and terminology
  10. Familiarity with current building codes and industry standards
Skill in:
  1. Design, mapping, and drafting
Ability to:
  1. Do mapping and drafting 
  2. Prepare detailed plans and specifications
  3. Perform technical research work and make detailed analysis 
  4. Keep necessary records 
  5. Prepare complete and comprehensive reports and make recommendations 
  6. Inspect construction projects make neat and accurate notes and computations 
  7. Establish and maintain cooperative working relations
  8. Prepare clear and concise reports
  9. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
  10. Communicate effectively

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the ENGINEER,CIVIL 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.

Engineer, Civil Training and Experience Examination Preview

Section 1: Tasks

Instructions:
Using the rating scale provided below, you will self-rate your experience in relation 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 on the scale below.

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

  1. Knowledge of principles and practices of civil engineering to design, write specifications, perform construction support, design review, or project management.
  2. Knowledge of hydraulics and hydrology to ensure designs are practical and feasible.
  3. Knowledge of engineering mathematics to develop accurate civil and structural analysis and design.
  4. Ability to perform technical research work and make detailed analysis of issues related to engineering projects.
  5. Ability to review designs to ensure they comply with building codes, regulations, plans or specifications, project scoping documents, or to determine constructability/feasibility of the design.
  6. Ability to interpret plans and specifications to perform observations and provide construction inspection support.
  7. Ability to analyze and interpret data to produce technical reports or recommendations on a wide variety of civil and structural engineering issues.
  8. Ability to perform and understand mathematical computations applicable to engineering, surveying, and design operations in order to produce plans, specifications, or reports.
  9. Ability to utilize computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, Autodesk AutoCAD, etc.) to produce specifications, plans, calculations, or reports for a wide variety of civil and structural related projects.
  10. Ability to read and understand technical information and ideas presented in writing to understand various documents (e.g., policies, procedures, codes/regulations, research articles).

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)