Exam Bulletin - Automotive Program Representative

Department of Consumer Affairs

Exam Code: EX-4458

Examination Plans Included:

  • AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE - Open

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

Classification Details

AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: $5,873.00 - $7,284.00 per Month
AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: $6,445.00 - $8,008.00 (B) per Month
AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE: $5,873.00 - $7,284.00 (A) per Month

View the AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE 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):

  • AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    4458

For AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-04458

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.

00106840 - AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE

Four years of professional experience performing automotive mechanical, smog check, or collision repair. Any combination of education in automotive engineering, collision, or mechanics and/or automotive mechanical, smog check, or collision inspection technology or related field from an accredited college or trade school may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
Driver License Requirements
Incumbents must maintain a valid driver license free of any court-ordered restrictions and are expected to safely operate vehicles. Additionally, employees appointed to positions required to operate commercial vehicles must maintain the appropriate commercial vehicle operator license prior to the completion of the probation period. Applicants will be admitted to the examination without a commercial vehicle operator license.

Drug Testing Requirements
For positions requiring the operation of commercial vehicles, employment applicants and incumbents must submit to random drug testing for controlled substances and alcohol as required by State and Federal drug and alcohol testing regulations.

Position Description

00106840 - AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE

This classification is the entry through full journey level with alternate ranges that allow incumbents to move through the appropriate ranges as competencies, responsibilities, and duties increase. Under close through general supervision, incumbents perform a full range of duties including but not limited to: investigate automotive-related consumer complaints; conduct audits and automotive repair dealer inspections to ensure compliance with provisions of the law and/or related state contracts; conduct field inquiries into complaints; mediate consumer complaints; investigate instances of suspected fraudulent activity; prepare documented vehicles in order to identify substandard or fraudulent automotive repair practices; develop recommendations for appropriate disciplinary action when fraudulent activity is identified; testify in civil, criminal, and administrative proceedings as a subject matter expert; assist law enforcement agencies in their investigations; provide information and expertise regarding laws and regulations pertaining to the Automotive Repair Act and Smog Check Program; and collaborate with staff to conduct inspections and investigations, improve processes, and develop and update regulations. Incumbents may also act as a lead or technical resource person and assist team leaders, team coordinators, and management in the following areas: regulation development and updates, regulatory workshops, training development and delivery, communication, administrative tasks, planning, evaluation/assessment, problem-solving, quality improvement, and team leadership.

Some positions in these classifications may be eligible for safety retirement in accordance with Government Code section 19816.20 .

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications
Possession of current licenses such as but not limited to Vehicle Safety Systems Technician, Smog Check Inspector, and Smog Check Repair Technician issued by the Bureau of Automotive Repair.

Possession of automotive or collision repair certifications obtained from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and/or the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).

All employees shall have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

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. Provisions of the Automotive Repair Act and the Smog Check Program 
  2. Industry standards for diagnosis and repair of automobiles
  3. Tools, equipment, and methods used in the repair, adjustment, and servicing of automobiles and automotive pollution control systems
  4. Principles of team leadership
Ability to:
  1. Read and write English at a level required for successful job performance 
  2. Speak and communicate at a level required for successful job performance
  3. Analyze information and/or data and provide sound conclusions and/or recommendations 
  4. Use a personal computer and demonstrate proficiency with widely used software programs
  5. Work under changing priorities and deadlines 
  6. Effectively operate under challenging conditions 
  7. Maintain privacy and confidentiality 
  8. Interpret current vehicle manufacturer specifications 
  9. Analyze cause of equipment failure or excessive wear 
  10. Prepare automobiles for use in detecting substandard or fraudulent automotive repair practices 
  11. Effectively mediate and/or investigate consumer complaints 
  12. Determine the necessity for replacing as opposed to repairing equipment 
  13. Testify under oath as a subject matter expert 
  14. Act as a subject matter expert to interpret and apply regulations 
  15. Effectively convey technical information to persons of varying backgrounds in the course of the work 
  16. Write letters and prepare reports 
  17. Demonstrate ability to work as a member of a team, flexibility, open-mindedness, and tact when dealing with the public as well as team members 
  18. Act as a team leader 
  19. Contribute suggestions for process improvement 
  20. Review the quality of others’ work 
  21. Willingly follow supervisory directions 
  22. Demonstrate professionalism at all times while representing the State of California

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the AUTOMOTIVE PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE Classification will be established for:

  • Department of Consumer Affairs

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.

Automotive Program Representative Training and Experience Evaluation Exam Preview

Instructions:   

Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks. 

 

Respond to each of the following statements by indicating how the statement applies to you. You are required to respond to every question and provide relevant examples. Also, indicate the references who can verify the information you provide, using the reference numbers from the Verification References listing.

 

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

 

PLEASE NOTE: This examination is designed to gain an overall assessment of your education, training, and experience as it directly relates to the duties and the knowledge, skills and abilities required for this position.  Possession of specific education is not required to be successful in this examination; however, such achievements may substitute for desirable levels of experience.  All components of this examination have been carefully validated by tying them directly to job requirements and documenting their relevance to the position.

Tasks:

  1. Researching vehicle test data, manufacturer specifications, technical service bulletins, and testing procedures.
  2. Preparing reports to document investigations and/or findings.
  3. Determining whether vehicle repairs were performed correctly, adhere to trade standards, and are based on accurate diagnoses.
  4. Examining relevant records (e.g., repair, insurance, and payment records) and vehicles to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.  
  5. Analyzing information, identifying inconsistencies, and applying sound judgment to ensure compliance with laws, regulations, and industry standards.
  6. Communicating complex technical, regulatory, and/or policy information clearly, both orally and in writing, to address consumer concerns in a respectful and professional manner.
  7. Entering and tracking project information, work in progress/complaint logs, hours, and/or vehicle usage, while providing status updates to supervisors.
  8. Conducting research regarding applicable vehicle laws, regulations, and/or data.
  9. Reviewing complaints to determine merit, complexity, and best course of action.
  10. Investigating issues using confirmed sources of information (e.g., databases, internet, manuals) in order to identify and compile needed information.
  11. Diagnosing and repairing vehicles using advanced diagnostic tools, standard repair equipment, and specialized tools for mechanical repairs, overhauling components, and testing diagnostic systems.
  12. Understanding and applying current vehicle manufacturer information and specifications.
  13. Determining the cause of vehicle component failure or excessive wear, and the necessity for replacing as opposed to repairing vehicle components.
  14. Managing time effectively, prioritizing tasks, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing work demands while ensuring the timely and high-quality completion of assignments.
  15. Maintaining and securing sensitive information encountered in the course of work.


Testing Departments

  • Department of Consumer Affairs

Contact Information

Technical questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

California Department of Human Resources
CalCareer Service Center
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
Phone: (866) 844-8671
CalCareer@Calhr.ca.gov

Administrative questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of Consumer Affairs
Department of Consumer Affairs - Examination Services Unit
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-321
Sacramento, CA 95834
Phone: (916) 574-8370

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 Consumer Affairs 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)