Exam Bulletin - Security Officer II, Department of Justice

Department of Justice

Exam Code: EX-4412

Examination Plans Included:

  • SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - Promotional

Final Filing Date: 7/17/2025

Classification Details

SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE: $4,903.00 - $6,335.00 per Month

View the SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE classification specification.

Application Instructions

Final Filing Date: 7/17/2025.

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 not be accepted.

Do not submit applications to California Department of Human Resources through fax or interagency mail.

If using delivery methods that do not have certified delivery confirmation, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the cut-off date. If your application is electronically submitted or received in hardcopy without a postmark and arrives after the cut-off date, your application will be considered late and not be accepted into the examination unless you are able to provide clear evidence that it was submitted timely. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either electronic delivery, parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the cut-off date. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

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.

Promotional Examination(s):

  • SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE - Promotional

In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, competition is limited to individuals who meet at least one of the following filing criteria:

  • 1. Have a permanent civil service appointment with a promotional testing department (see Testing Departments), or
  • 2. Are current or former employees of the legislature for 2 or more years as defined in Government Code 18990, or
  • 3. Are current or former non-elected exempt employees of the executive branch for 2 or more consecutive years as defined in Govt. Code 18992, or
  • 4. Are persons retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active duty with a service disability or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code 18991. Applicants must provide a copy of discharge papers (DD 214) for verification purposes at the time of application.

Under certain circumstances other employees may be allowed to compete under provisions of Rules 234, 235 and 235.2. California Code of Regulations Rules 233, 234, 235.2 and 237 contain provisions regarding civil service status and eligibility for promotional examinations.

How To Apply:

Applications received without the required doucments will be considered incomplete and may be rejected. To apply for this examination, please complete and return the following required documents:

  • Standard State Employment Application (Form STD 678): All applications must include “to” and “from” employment dates (month/day/year), time-base, and applicable classification titles 
  • Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire
  • Job Requirements Questionnaire - Job Requirements Questionnaire (ca.gov)

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 Justice
    Testing and Selection Unit
    ATTN: Security Officer II, Department of Justice
    P.O. Box 944255
    Sacramento, CA 95814

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 Justice
    Testing and Selection Unit
    ATTN: Security Officer II, Department of Justice Examination
    1300 I Street, 1st Floor Lobby
    Sacramento, CA 95814
    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.

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

  • Criminal Background Supplemental Questionnaire
  • Other - Job Requirements Questionnaire - Please refer to the link provided in the "How to Apply" section

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.

00101961 - SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Education: Equivalent to completion of high school; and


Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Security Officer I, Department of Justice; or

II

Two years of experience performing security-related duties in a supervisory capacity in a local, State or Federal governmental agency. 

Position Description

00101961 - SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

This is the working supervisory level in the series. Incumbents supervise a minimum of five Security Officer I, Department of Justice; prepare shift schedules; assign and relieve shift; check periodically on shift coverage; supervise the handling of problem incidents; prepare special incident reports; review and approve reports prepared by Security Officers I, Department of Justice; assist in training Security Officers I, Department of Justice, evaluate their performance and take or recommend appropriate action; make recommendations on changes in security procedures; as necessary, work with Department of Justice management, State Police and local law enforcement personnel; perform other security related functions as required.

Positions exist in Sacramento County

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Willingness to work at night and/or overtime; report for duty at any time emergencies may arise; firmness and tact; alertness; and neat personal appearance.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, endurance and agility necessary to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation; hearing, vision and color vision sufficient to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.

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.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE QUESTIONNAIRE – 100%

The Training and Experience (T&E) questionnaire consists of job-related questions designed to assess an applicant’s education, training, and experience with performing relevant job duties, as well as the possession of job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities. The exam will be scored using objective, point-based scoring criteria. The exam will be conducted online through a third-party testing platform utilized by the Department of Justice.

The T&E Questionnaire will be administered online typically via a personal computer. Prior to the test administration, applicants will receive a Notice to Appear that will be mailed to the address listed on the application. This letter will include the test date and timeframe for the examination. Additionally, a web link for the online examination will be emailed on the morning of the exam to the email address listed on the application. Therefore, please ensure accurate physical and email addresses are included on the application.

If you require reasonable accommodation for the exam, please select yes from the dropdown menu under “General Questions” in the electronic application package in CalCareers. For mail in and drop off applications, please check the box for question #10 on the STD 678 "Standard Application" submitted as part of your application package. You will be notified electronically or in writing to determine next steps and what assistance can be provided.

Test Date:

It is anticipated that the test will be conducted online during the week of August 25, 2025 or September 1, 2025.

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. The structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar, to ensure that written materials prepared and reviewed complete, concise, and free of mechanical errors.
  2. The different types of crime, crime elements, and the criminal justice system to perform various law enforcement related duties.
  3. The requirements necessary for establishing "reasonable suspicion" and/or "probable cause."
  4. State, county and city laws, codes and ordinances.
  5. Department of Justice policies and procedures
  6. Evacuation procedures, alternate routes, sites, department emergency plans, and building access systems.
  7. Professional medical response techniques (e.g., first aid, CPR, triage) to respond in emergencies.
  8. Report and citation writing procedures to provide accurate documentation.
  9. Facility entrance points, fire control rooms, utilities locations, typical environmental patterns and general floor plans.
  10. Protocols in response to distressed situations (e.g., down officer, vehicle collision, suspicious objects, threats).
  11. Radio codes to communicate effectively with other law enforcement personnel.
  12. Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques to plan, oversee, and direct the work activities of others.

 

SKILL IN:

  1. Operating various computer programs (e.g., Microsoft Office, emails) to type and receive job-related documents.
  2. Determining the appropriate verbal and/or physical response based upon the individual's behavior, body language, tone, and verbal responses.
  3. Assessing potential threats (e.g., suspicious objects, pattern recognition of vehicle routes, attack indicators) to determine an appropriate response.
  4. Safely and effectively handling a firearm (e.g., loading, carrying, aiming, shooting) in accordance with departmental policy.
  5. Basic clerical functions (e.g., file retention) to maintain an organized workspace.
  6. Providing accurate directions to a variety of individuals.
  7. Managing multiple tasks simultaneously on a consistent basis (e.g., maintain surveillance of facility entrances while monitoring video surveillance, as well as communicating with DOJ employees).
  8. Maintaining a positive rapport with external organizations and agencies (e.g., local Police Department, Fire Department, other state agencies) to ensure effective working relationships.
  9. Administering training curricula to enhance employee performance and further the career development of other officers and/or support staff.
  10. Monitoring officer and/or support staff’s workload, including timely completion of work tasks.
  11. Identifying officer and/or support staff strengths and deficiencies to ensure they are meeting unit expectations and to enhance employee development.
  12. Documenting employee performance and completing performance evaluation and probationary reports.

 

ABILITY TO:

  1. Operate communication devices and video equipment (e.g., radios, surveillance system) to relay information and monitor the facilities.
  2. Recognize various crimes (e.g., elder abuse, theft, vehicular theft, assault, trespass) to respond appropriately to the situation.
  3. Communicate with DOJ personnel, witnesses, victims and/or suspects to accurately respond to emergency or unusual situations.
  4. Observe facility traffic in addition to perimeter activity (i.e., normal daily foot or vehicle traffic versus unusual occurrences) to monitor the facility or assigned post.
  5. Remain calm in emergency or high-stress situations.
  6. Multi-task in emergency or high-stress situations, including communication and responsiveness.
  7. Sit, stand, and/or walk for extended periods of time in a variety of environments.
  8. Conduct oneself in a professional manner to ensure proper representation of the DOJ.
  9. Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  10. Work independently or under minimal supervision to complete work tasks.
  11. Work cooperatively with individuals with a variety of backgrounds and capabilities.
  12. Follow directions given by supervisors and managers to ensure accurate work task completion.
  13. Direct officers and/or support staff to ensure adequate coverage and accurate work task completion.
  14. Rapidly respond to situations despite extended periods without physical activity.
  15. Adapt to adverse or uncomfortable environments (e.g., night vision, glare or bright lighting, inclement weather conditions) to ensure continual service with minimal interruption.
  16. Recognize the general features of authorized and unauthorized personnel (e.g., former employees, vendors, visitors) and their identification to prohibit entrance to unauthorized persons.
  17. Recognize changes in human behavior (e.g., tone of voice, behavioral patterns) to determine potential threats.
  18. Identify unusual circumstances (e.g., sounds, smoke, noxious fumes, suspicious objects) and determine the source to maintain a safe environment.
  19. Mentor and train others to assist in developing knowledge, skills, and abilities and to maintain productivity.
  20. Lead and guide the work of others to ensure projects are completed, including communicating expectations, delegating, monitoring progress, and providing feedback.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Promotional eligible list for the SECURITY OFFICER II, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Justice

The list(s) will be abolished 12 months after being established, unless the needs of the State and conditions of the list(s) warrant a change in this period.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference is not granted for promotional examinations.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Disqualifiers

FELONY CONVICTION DISQUALIFICATION:

Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in these classes.

CITIZENSHIP REQUIREMENT:

Existing law provides that peace officers be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. citizenship at least one year prior to the final file date for this examination. The one-year requirement does not apply to permanent resident aliens who have applied for peace officer classes prior to their 19th birthday.

MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENT:

Must meet minimum age requirement to be appointed as a California peace officer per the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and in accordance with existing law.

Additional Examinations

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Pursuant to Government Code 1031, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a Department of Justice background investigation may be required to undergo an additional background investigation. Information collected for the background investigation after the examination will require you to divulge arrest and/or conviction information on the background investigation documents at the time of employment, but is not required of you at this time. The information you furnish will be used to help determine your suitability for employment with the Department of Justice. Under Section 432.7(e) of the Labor Code, persons seeking employment with the Department of Justice may be asked to disclose arrest or detention information regardless of whether or not the arrest or detention resulted in conviction, referral, or participation in diversion programs. Department of Justice regulations require, as a minimum, preemployment investigations consisting of fingerprinting; inquiry to local, State, and national files to disclose criminal records; verification of minimum qualifications (i.e., college transcripts); financial status; previous employment background; and personal interviews to determine applicant’s suitability for employment.

Any applicant for a State civil service examination for a peace officer class who discloses, or whose background investigation reveals, use of a drug for which possession would constitute a felony offense under the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (Health and Safety Code, division 10, beginning at 11000) subsequent to his or her eighteenth birthday and prior to his or her twenty third birthday, shall be disqualified from the examination in which he or she is competing until 5 years have elapsed from the date of the disclosed or revealed use of the drug; and shall not be eligible to take any State civil service examination for a peace officer class until 5 years have elapsed from the date of the disclosed or revealed use.

If any such disclosed or revealed use occurred on or after the applicant’s twenty-third birthday, he or she shall be disqualified from the examination in which he or she is competing until 10 years have elapsed from the date of the disclosed or revealed use of the drug; and shall not be eligible to take any State civil service examination for a peace officer class until 10 years have elapsed from the date of the disclosed or revealed use. The disqualification period shall begin on the date that the drug was used, and not on the date that the drug use was disclosed or revealed.

DRUG TESTING REQUIREMENT: 

Applicants for positions in this class series are required to pass a drug screening test. In addition, use of "hard drugs" (e.g., heroin, cocaine, or hallucinogenics) at any time as an adult constitutes basis for disqualification from peace officer examinations.

PSYCHOLOGICAL SCREENING EXAMINATIONS:

Pass/Fail – This test will consist of a written examination and an interview by a psychologist.

Appeal Information

Candidates may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board (SPB) within 30 days of the postmarked date of any decision notice (e.g., Minimum Qualifications denial, exam results). Examination appeals are required to meet one of the following grounds to be accepted by the State Personnel Board; (1) fraud; (2) discrimination; (3) erroneous interpretation or application of minimum qualifications (MQs); or (4) a significant irregularity in the examination process. Appeals can be filed online at the website above or mailed to Appeals Division, State Personnel Board, 801 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814-4806. Please refer to SPB's website for more information this process at https://www.spb.ca.gov/appeals/appeals.aspx

Testing Departments

  • Department of Justice

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Justice
OHR/Testing & Selection Unit
1300 I Street, Suite 720
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 210-6021
Fax: (916) 445-1218
TSU@doj.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 Justice 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)

Blank Criminal Record Supplemental Questionnaire