• Updated section to refrence recent change in Government Code Section 1031

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

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 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 in accordance with civil service laws and 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.

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):

• SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

4145

For SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-04145

All applicants must complete and submit an Examination Application (STD. 678), Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire, and Qualifications Assessment.

For all peace officer examinations, a Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with an Examination Application (STD. 678).

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 and Rehabilitation
  Talent Aquisition - 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 and Rehabilitation
  Talent Aquisition - 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.

• Other - Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire - https://calcareers.ca.gov/pdf/crsq.pdf
• Transcript (Official or Unofficial)

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.

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.

• Possess a valid driver’s license prior to appointment.
• Have qualifying peace officer experience consistent with Penal Code section 830, and specifically defined in one of the following Penal Code sections: 830.1, 830.2, 830.3, subdivisions (a), (c), (d), (f), (h), (i), (k), (p), (q), or (s), 830.33, subdivision (a), 830.38, subdivision (a), or 830.5 to meet the minimum qualifications.

Education requirement for all levels may be substituted with additional qualifying experience on a year-for-year basis.

Candidates who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for this class series will be admitted to the examination but must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.

Education: Equivalent to completion of 60 semester units of college credits; and

Pattern 1

Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a classification with a level of responsibility equivalent to Special Agent, Range B; or

Pattern 2

Experience: Eight years of experience as a peace officer in a California State or local governmental agency. Experience applied toward this pattern must include at least four years of full-time work performing increasingly responsible investigative duties* in an investigative unit, or in a specialized unit or taskforce, and one year of experience performing duties at a level of responsibility comparable to a Special Agent, Range B.

*Definition of Investigative Duties to Meet Minimum Qualifications for All Patterns

In order to meet the minimum qualifications, investigative experience must have been in an investigative unit, or in a specialized unit or task force, performing duties such as: apprehend and arrest suspects; develop field operation/investigation plans, and safely execute them; develop relationships with informants; examine a variety of records to locate links in chains of evidence or information; gather in-depth background data and information; identification and surveillance of suspected criminal activity and location; identify, gather, preserve, verify, and analyze pertinent records and all types of evidence including photographs and taking measurements and drawing diagrams/sketches; identify, locate, and interview/interrogate suspects or witnesses and analyze their testimony; investigate complaints of civil, criminal, and/or administrative misconduct; monitor electronic surveillance equipment; plan, coordinate, and participate in law enforcement actions involving criminal suspects, and work undercover as well as participate in covert investigations and raids; prepare the case for legal proceedings and/or testify in court proceedings; report facts and statements; work with other law enforcement agencies and the courts; write and serve search warrants and administrative subpoenas; and, write arrest and investigative reports.

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.

Firearm Requirement:  Any person prohibited by State or Federal law from possessing, using, having in his/her custody or control any firearm, firearm device, or other weapon or device authorized for use by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is not eligible to compete for, be appointed to, or continue employment in this classification.

Felony Disqualification:  Any person convicted of a felony is disqualified from being employed as a peace officer under Government Code Section 1029, an applicant with a felony conviction is not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in the class.

In completing the Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire, you may answer "NO" to the question "Have you ever been convicted by any court of a felony?" if:

(1) The record of such an incident has been sealed in accordance with Penal Code Sections 851.7, 861.8, 1000.5, 1203.45; or  

(2) The record of such an incident has been or can be expunged pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 11361.5, which pertains to various marijuana offenses; or

(3) The conviction was under Health and Safety Code Section 11557 or its successor 11366, when that conviction was stipulated or designated to be a lesser included offense of the offenses of possession of marijuana.

However, you must list the conviction if you have received a release (per Penal Code Section 1203.4 or 1203.4a or Welfare and Institutions Code Section 1179 or 1772) or a pardon (per Penal Code Section 4852.16).

Background Investigation:  If you are successful in this examination, you may be required to complete a background investigation form disclosing (with the exception of the three items numbered above) information on arrests regardless of conviction, felony and non-felony convictions, and driving violations.  Candidates for peace officer positions will be fingerprinted for search of local, State, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.  The hiring agency uses this information to determine your suitability to become a peace officer.

Information collected for a background investigation after the examination is distinct from that required on the Examination Application (STD. 678) and the Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire which is filled out prior to the examination.  You will be required to divulge arrest and/or conviction information on the background investigation document that is not required of you when completing the Examination Application and the Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire.

Age Limitation - minimum age for appointment: 21 years.  (Applicants must state their birth date on the Examination Application.)

Work Status Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code section 1031(a) in the state of California, individuals seeking employment as public officers or employees declared by law to be peace officers must be legally authorized to work in the United States under Federal Law. 

Drug Testing Requirement: Applicants for positions in this classification are required to pass a drug screening test. An applicant’s experimental use of marijuana or other drugs may not be a disqualifying factor. Illegal drug activity will be evaluated to determine suitability for employment as a peace officer, based on how recent, how frequent and the specific circumstances. The drug screening test will be waived for CDCR’s employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board, Rule 213.

Pre-Employment Medical Examinations:  Physical and psychological suitability examinations are conducted prior to appointment.  Tests include TB skin test, urinalysis, complete blood count, blood chemistry panel, VDRL, a general physical examination, and other tests if necessary.  Any limitation which restricts a person from safely performing the essential functions of the position may constitute basis for removal of the candidate's name from the eligible list.

Training Requirement:  Under the provisions of Penal Code Section 832, successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, and in firearms and chemical agents is a requirement for permanent status in this classification.

High School Equivalence for Peace Officer Classifications:  Equivalence to completion of the 12^th grade may be demonstrated by:  1) passing the California High School Proficiency Test; 2) passing the General Educational Development (GED) test indicating high school graduation level; or 3) possession of a degree (Associate of Arts or higher) from an accredited college.  No other equivalency is accepted for Peace Officer classifications.

Pursuant to Penal Code Section 6065, prior to training any peace officer who is selected to conduct internal affairs investigations, the Department shall conduct a complete and thorough background check.  This background check shall be in addition to the original background screening that was conducted when the person was hired as a peace officer.  Each person shall satisfactorily pass the second background check.  Any person who has been the subject of a sustained, serious disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, termination, suspension, or demotion, shall not pass the background check.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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 Senior Special Agent is available from the CDCR website at: Senior Special Agent.

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. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s mission, activities, laws, rules, and regulations.
2. Provisions of Penal Code, Evidence Code, and Code of Civil Procedures.
3. Investigative operational plans.
4. Gang management.
5. Criminal and administrative investigation techniques and procedures.
6. Interrogation, interview, information and intelligence gathering processes and procedures.
7. Principles, procedures, and recent trends in corrections and parole administration.
8. Illegal drugs, controlled substances, paraphernalia, packaging, trafficking, and addiction.
9. Laws of arrest.
10. Constitutional rights including proper tactics and use of force in affecting arrests of suspects.
11. Search and seizure and the service of legal process, techniques for collecting, securing and preserving evidence, and the rules of evidence, and court procedure.
12. Tactical operations.
13. Officer safety.
14. Training techniques and methods used in creating, modifying, and delivering training.
15. Principles and techniques of personnel management and supervision.
16. A supervisor’s role in Equal Employment Opportunity and the prevention of discrimination and harassment in the workplace.
17. Advanced peace officer training techniques and methods.
18. Applicable collective bargaining memorandum of understanding and related issues.
19. Disciplinary guidelines and personnel rules.

Ability to:

1. Collect, process, and secure evidence.
2. Develop techniques, methods, and skills and apply applicable laws required to conduct criminal and administrative investigations.
3. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships, and promote collaborative participation with law enforcement, government agencies, and others.
4. Prepare and present well organized, accurate, timely, clear, and thorough written reports and presentations.
5. Maintain written and electronic files.
6. Communicate effectively for successful job performance.
7. Represent the department.
8. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
9. Exercise good judgement.
10. Demonstrate good work habits.
11. Remain observant for prolong periods of time.
12. Recall an incident, and retain the memory of names, faces, have and maintain sufficient strength, dexterity, and good physical agility, including 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 employee or offender.
13. Have and maintain sufficient strength, dexterity, and good physical agility, including 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 employee or offender.
14. Judge an emergency situation and maintain mental and emotional stability, determine the appropriate use of force, and carry out that use of force.
15. Determine the appropriate use of force, and carry out that use of force pursuant to departmental policy.
16. Not be psychologically manipulated by offenders.
17. Operate a motor vehicle safely and effectively.
18. Maintain a satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen.
19. Maintain and ensure confidentiality of Department information.
20. Effectively organize, prioritize, and handle changing priorities.
21. Prepare and present well-organized, accurate court testimony.
22. Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts and evidence.
23. Successfully use, maintain, and qualify with approved firearms and required safety equipment.
24. Use current technology.
25. Utilize a variety of weaponry and communication technology.
26. Continuously maneuver all parts of the body in every direction (e.g., bending, standing, twisting, etc.) for long periods of time to accomplish various job tasks.
27. Remain functional with exposure to fumes, gases, or various chemicals (e.g., pepper spray, tear gasses, etc.)
28. Plan, direct, and conduct the more difficult and complex criminal and administrative investigations.
29. Plan for and allocate resources to achieve the Department’s goals and objectives.
30. Effectively supervise the work of a group of Special Agents, in addition to other peace officer, and non-peace officer classifications, and other law enforcement personnel.
31. Initiate and review personnel matters.
32. Effectively contribute to establishing equal opportunity in hiring and employee development.

A Departmental Open eligible list for the SENIOR SPECIAL AGENT 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.

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.

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.

• Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

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.

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.