Exam Bulletin - Conservationist Supervisor

CA Conservation Corps

Exam Code: EX-4081

Examination Plans Included:

  • CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR - Open

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

Classification Details

CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR: $6,700.00 - $8,328.00 per Month

View the CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 3/7/2025

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):

  • CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    4081

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

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-04081

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:

  • Donna Tritt
    CA Conservation Corps
    Exam Analyst
    1719 24th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95816

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:

  • CA Conservation Corps
    Exam Analyst
    1719 24th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95816
    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.

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.

00101202 - CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR

Possession of a valid Commercial Class C driver license with a Passenger Transport Vehicle special endorsement or equivalent. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination, but must secure and provide evidence of their license prior to appointment.); and

Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade; and

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties of a class with the level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Conservationist II; or

II

Two years of progressively responsible experience in program operations and management, including one year at an administrative level performing a variety of management-related activities including supervision of staff, program planning, management and evaluation, and personnel management. This experience shall have included the preparation of written reports and the presentation of written recommendations to management. Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year performing duties of a class with a level of responsibility no less than that of Conservationist II; or

III

Three years of experience in California state service performing duties of a class with the level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Conservationist I; Range B; or

IV

Five years of experience in organizing, instructing, supervising and evaluating six or more people in an organization requiring specific accomplishments or completion of specific tasks. Such experience must include direct responsibility for the discipline, direction, and welfare of the persons involved, two years of which involve direct supervision of staff. Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year performing the duties of a class with a level of responsibility no less than that of a Conservationist I, Range B. Qualifying experience can be gained through work in the following types of business/activities: labor crew in the private or public sector; organized outdoor adventure programs; service-oriented organizations  (fast foods chains, park and recreation facilities, summer camps, group homes, and daycare facilities); seasonal labor; or educational  programs. College education may be substituted for up to 12 months of non-supervisory qualifying experience with 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university being equivalent to 12 months of experience; substitution of college education does not apply toward the supervision of staff requirement.

Position Description

00101202 - CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR

This is the full supervisory level in the series. Under direction, incumbents supervise conservationist staff performing projects, educational, and mission critical tasks and are responsible for obtaining project agreements; and other related work.

Incumbents plan, organize, and direct the operations of conservationist staff performing projects; plan and implement in-service training and employee development programs for subordinate staff; evaluate performance and take or recommend appropriate action; oversee training, safety, welfare, development, and performance; maintain community resource support, develop funding source sponsors, and negotiate project agreements; develop and maintain relationships with project sponsors, and maintain the confidence and cooperation of sponsors; manage the quality, completion, and evaluation of project and overnight camp/spike operations; and coordinate emergency response.

Associate of Arts Degree or equivalent to completion of two years of college, preferable with specialization in public business administration, environmental studies, the social sciences or youth services administration. Experience in the operations or management of a youth or adult work experience and/or training and education program; experience in human resource programs; background in ecology and natural resource conservation; excellent communications skills; ability to take effective action under extreme pressure and/or during emergency situations; ability to effectively manage the operation and maintenance of facilities and grounds; ability to manage several priorities simultaneously; general knowledge of budget preparation and administration; knowledge of grant writing and reporting requirements; and knowledge of State and Federal audit guidelines.

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 ReportAfter Acceptance100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

The link to the exam will be emailed to the applicants who meet the minimum qualifications after the cut-off date. 

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 of personnel management, business and public administration;
  2. Purposes, organization, policies, procedures and rules of the department;
  3. Principles of ecology and natural resource conservation;
  4. Principles of facilities and grounds maintenance;
  5. Principles and practices of health and safety standards;
  6. Principles and practices of employee supervision;
  7. Principles and practices of employee/employer relations;
  8. Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives;
  9. And a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment. 

 Ability to:

  1. Maintain a healthy and safe working and living environment;
  2. Organize, coordinate and plan programs for conservationist staff and crew members’ training;
  3. Maintain facilities and grounds;
  4. Complete center, overnight camp/spike, and emergency projects;
  5. Prevent and solve problems by utilizing management and communication skills, concepts and techniques;
  6. Analyze situations and take effective action;
  7. Keep records and prepare written reports;
  8. Maintain effective external relations with public community and organization interests specifically in the development of funding sources;
  9. Analyze data and present ideas and information effectively;
  10. And effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Eligible List Information

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the CONSERVATIONIST SUPERVISOR Classification will be established for:

    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.

    This list will be used by all state agencies.

    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

    • CA Conservation Corps

    Contact Information

    Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

    CA Conservation Corps
    Donna Tritt
    Exam Analyst
    1719 24th Street
    Sacramento, CA 95816
    Phone: (916) 341-3140
    Fax: (877) 826-5231
    Donna.Tritt@ccc.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.

    CA Conservation Corps 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)