Exam Bulletin

Department of State Hospitals

Exam Code: EX-4519

Examination Plans Included:

  • CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY - Open

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

Bulletin Updates

  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been added.

Classification Details

CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY: $7,937.00 - $9,819.00 per Month

View the CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 12/19/2025
  • 1/2/2026
  • 1/16/2026
  • 2/6/2026
  • 2/20/2026
  • 3/6/2026
  • 3/20/2026
  • 4/3/2026
  • 4/17/2026
  • 5/1/2026
  • 5/15/2026
  • 6/5/2026
  • 6/19/2026
  • 7/3/2026
  • 7/17/2026
  • 8/7/2026
  • 8/21/2026
  • 9/4/2026
  • 9/18/2026
  • 10/2/2026
  • 10/16/2026
  • 11/6/2026
  • 11/20/2026
  • 12/4/2026
  • 12/18/2026

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.

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):

  • CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

    4519

For CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-04519

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:

  • Department of State Hospitals
    Selection Services Unit
    1215 O Street, MS 14
    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 State Hospitals
    Selection Services Unit
    1215 O Street, MS 14
    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.

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.

00101934 - CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY

Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. and Either I Experience: Three years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Hospital Lieutenant.

Or II

Experience: Five years of full-time paid peace officer experience, three years of which must have been as a second-line supervisor at a level comparable to the rank of Lieutenant. (Possession of a two- year Associate's Degree in Police Science or a related field in law enforcement may be substituted for one year of the required nonsupervisory experience. Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Police Science or a related law enforcement field may be substituted for two years of the required nonsupervisory experience.) and Successful completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Academy.

Driver License Requirement

Possession of a valid driver license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the driver license prior to appointment and must maintain a valid driver license throughout employment.

Age Limitation

Minimum age for appointment is 21 years of age.

Peace Officer Standards

Citizenship Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. Citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. Citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.

 

Felony 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 this class.

 

Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 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 background investigation may be required to undergo only a partial background investigation.

 

Medical Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a medical examination to determine that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job safely and effectively.

 

Psychological Screening Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(f), all candidates must pass a psychological screening evaluation before appointment to this classification. Persons unsuccessful in the psychological screening cannot be appointed as peace officers.

Position Description

00101934 - CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY

At a State hospital, coordinates the protective services operations with hospital staff and subordinate Hospital Peace Officers, including two or more Hospital Lieutenants; may act as the liaison with local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies, the public, district attorney offices, and correctional agencies; develops and implements operational policies and procedures to conform to the State hospital goals and objectives; consults with hospital management staff and the headquarters' Chief, Protective Services and Security, on complex and difficult security and law enforcement issues; and coordinates and monitors investigations of reported assaults and crimes with clinical staff and outside authorities.

 

At headquarters, one position is allocated to the Chief, Protective Services and Security, classification and has management responsibility for the standardization and coordination of all statewide security decisions for the State hospitals. The incumbent develops and implements plans to improve the internal and external physical security and the operating practices of the State hospitals; provides functional supervision or oversight of all hospital security issues; conducts periodic unannounced audits of both internal/external security; proposes legislative changes to protect the public, patients, and staff at the State hospitals; acts as the primary liaison between the Department of Mental Health, the public, and political entities on all politically sensitive issues regarding statewide hospital security; and provides management direction and policy guidance to the Department's Security Committee that consists of top-level hospital personnel.

Special Personal Characteristics

A sympathetic understanding of the problems of the mentally ill; emotional maturity and stability; demonstrated leadership ability; tact; ability to remain calm in emergency situations; ability to assess and coordinate resources as emergencies arise.

Special Physical Requirements

Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

Applicants must submit their exam applications AND complete the exam during the same cut-off period.  

Filling Cut-Off Dates are listed at the beginning of the exam bulletin.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1Supplemental ReportWith Application100%

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.

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: Principles and practices of law enforcement and criminology, including procedures and laws on security, investigation, and search and seizure; principles and practices of personnel management and supervision; principles and methods of employee training; interviewing and investigative techniques; familiarity with the role of the security used in the environment of a State hospital; hospital and departmental rules and regulations as applied to the welfare, safety, and protection of patients; hospital and departmental rules and regulations regarding conduct and control of employees and visitors; procedures and techniques in handling patient-related incidents; effective public relations as applied to the hospital operation and law enforcement functions; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal employment opportunity in hiring, employee development, and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct the work of others; operate within budget constraints; establish and maintain cooperative relations with persons contacted in the course of work; enforce hospital rules and regulations with tact and impartiality; think and act quickly in emergencies; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; communicate convincingly and effectively; maintain confidential and other related records and prepare reports; apply sound judgment in the enforcement of hospital rules and regulations and applicable State laws necessary for the protection of persons and property; effectively promote equal employment opportunities in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the CHIEF, PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SECURITY Classification will be established for:

  • Department of State Hospitals

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 in

  • Alameda County
  • Alpine County
  • Amador County
  • Butte County
  • Calaveras County
  • Colusa County
  • Contra Costa County
  • Del Norte County
  • El Dorado County
  • Fresno County
  • Glenn County
  • Humboldt County
  • Imperial County
  • Inyo County
  • Kern County
  • Kings County
  • Lake County
  • Lassen County
  • Madera County
  • Marin County
  • Mariposa County
  • Mendocino County
  • Merced County
  • Modoc County
  • Mono County
  • Monterey County
  • Napa County
  • Nevada County
  • Orange County
  • Placer County
  • Plumas County
  • Riverside County
  • Sacramento County
  • San Benito County
  • San Bernardino County
  • San Diego County
  • San Francisco County
  • San Joaquin County
  • San Luis Obispo County
  • San Mateo County
  • Santa Barbara County
  • Santa Clara County
  • Santa Cruz County
  • Shasta County
  • Sierra County
  • Siskiyou County
  • Solano County
  • Sonoma County
  • Stanislaus County
  • Sutter County
  • Tehama County
  • Trinity County
  • Tulare County
  • Tuolumne County
  • Ventura County
  • Yolo County
  • Yuba County
  • Los Angeles County
  • Cook County
  • New York County
  • Harris County
  • Honolulu County

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.

Training & Experience Exam Preview

Section 1: Tasks

Instructions:

Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Tasks:

1.   Conducting meetings to gather information, resolve problems, and/or promote department goals and objectives.

2.   Providing leadership, direction, and/or guidance to ensure equal opportunities and services for all employees as outlined in the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) policies.

3.   Providing recommendation to administrators on various incidents or policy issues regarding the safety and security of the department.

4.   Providing functional supervision and oversight for all department operational (e.g., security, safety, etc.) issues.

5.   Acting as liaison on behalf of the department with local, state and Federal law enforcement agencies, oversight agency, the public, and/or local agencies to coordinate communication between management, staff, and internal and external stakeholders on sensitive and routine department security issues.

6.   Managing department programs and procedures designed to enhance the safety and security of the staff, patients, visitors, and/or community.

7.   Overseeing the department logistical system to ensure that employees have the proper equipment and resources to perform their assigned duties effectively and safely.

8.   Ensuring that all employees are in compliance with the requirements of the facility and/or that they are competent to perform their assigned duties.

9.   Maintaining effective communication with employees, law enforcement agencies, and/or the public to ensure current operations are performed appropriately and professionally.

10. Monitoring the allocation of personnel and logistical resources to track the use of specific functions, programs and/or work activities.

11. Monitoring Facility Plan Objectives as they relate to the improvement of departmental services to ensure timely completion.

12. Analyzing and evaluating security and/or enforcement issues in order to prepare recommendations for members of the Executive Team and/or appropriate staff.

13. Developing corrective action plans regarding deficiencies (e.g., recommendations, adverse actions, administrative response, etc.)

14. Implementing and/or updating Administrative Directives and/or policy pertaining to the security needs of the department.

Section 2: Knowledge and Abilities

Instructions:

Rate your experience in accordance to specific job-related knowledge and abilities.

KSAPC:

1.   Knowledge of the procedures and laws on security, investigation, and search and seizure.

2.   Knowledge of the principles and practices of law enforcement and criminology necessary for the protection of persons and property.

3.   Knowledge of a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal employment opportunity in hiring, employee development, and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

4.   Knowledge of interview and investigative techniques to obtain necessary information to complete investigations.

5.   Knowledge of the principles and practices of management techniques needed to manage and oversee the progress of a variety of programs and activities.

6.   Knowledge of management roles and responsibilities (e.g., hiring, discipline, promotion, assignments) to effectively administer all department related programs.

7.   Knowledge of effective public relations as applied to the department operation and law enforcement functions.

8.   Knowledge of leadership roles, principles, practices, and techniques to appropriately plan, implement, and lead the work activities of subordinate employees.

9.   Knowledge of the role of the security used in the environment of a State hospital.

10. Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others.

11. Ability to think and act quickly in emergencies.

12. Ability to assess and coordinate resources as emergencies arise.

13. Ability to provide information and recommendations to management and/or employees regarding program related issues.

14. Ability to prepare reports using relevant data and information.

 

Testing Departments

  • Department of State Hospitals

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Department of State Hospitals
Selection Services Unit
1215 O Street, MS 14
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-8832
SacramentoExamsUnit@dsh.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 State Hospitals 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)