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.

A Scientific Specialty may be selected in the Work Type Preferences on the Optional Conditions of Employment Selections section found in the exam application's "Application Package" tab. The selected Scientific Specialty indicates the types of experience and educational background you have obtained.

To view detailed descriptions of the specialties, please refer to the Classification Specification link provided above.

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):

• RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR II - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

4907

For RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR II, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 6 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-04907

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.

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.

Special Requirements

FDA-Related Positions:

For Positions involved in conducting inspections and collecting samples under contract to United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), operating under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act or reviewing confidential FDA investigative and other non-public information, the candidate must meet the requirements to be commissioned by the FDA which may include a background check prior to appointment.

Veterinary-Related Positions:

Positions involving the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery, or any branch thereof, will require a valid license issued by the Board of Examiners in Veterinary Medicine for the State of California to practice as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine prior to appointment.

Clinical Laboratory Positions:

For positions involving testing that is regulated by the federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), the incumbent must meet the education, experience, certification, or licensing requirements specific to applicable essential job functions.

Federal Select Agent Program Positions:

Positions that are involved with testing of pathogens, toxins, or chemicals regulated by the Federal Select Agent Program will require a background check and compliance with the California Department of Public Health Select Agent Personnel Suitability Assessment Program.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

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:

1. Current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area.
2. Principles and procedures of scientific research and investigation planning, design, methodology and analysis.
3. Methods of preparation of scientific research reports.
4. Scientific and statistical methods and procedures.
5. Data processing techniques.
6. Bibliographic survey or previous related scientific research techniques.
7. Determination and qualification of variables and mechanization of compilation of scientific data.

1. Evaluate the adequacy of proposed scientific research and investigation designs and techniques.
2. Think independently and creatively.
3. Establish and maintain cooperative relations with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university and private research organizations.
4. Communicate effectively, prepare scientific articles for publication.
5. Prepare scientific reports.
6. Provide persuasive and skilled guidance to other staff in scientific research, principles and methods.
7. Apply professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations.
8. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
9. Participate as a team member on research or scientific investigation projects.
10. Make independent decisions in a very limited area of a scientific specialty.
11. Provide information to higher-level scientists in support of decisions on scientific research.
12. Interpret scientific findings and present to higher-level scientists.
13. Apply established guidelines and scientific techniques. 
14. Lead small scientific projects.
15. Organize, and direct scientific research studies of a highly developed scientific scope and complexity.
16. Serve as a team leader for complex research or scientific investigation projects.
17. Serve as a consultant to other research scientists.
18. Make complex scientifically-based decisions within their scope of expertise.
19. Act as a subject matter and scientific technical expert.
20. Make recommendations to management on scientific policy issues.
21. Apply expert scientific knowledge in their stated area of specialty.
22. Work independently and develop scientific guidelines and technical procedures.
23. Act as a subject matter and scientific technical expert.
24. Make recommendations to management on scientific policy issues.
25. Serve as team leaders for complex scientific research or investigation projects.
26. Apply expert knowledge in their stated area of specialty.
27. Coordinate research and scientific studies involving other agencies that result in a comprehensive finished scientific product.
28. Act as a subject matter and scientific technical expert.
29. Serve as a spokesperson in a scientific area appropriate to the specialty.
30. Provide scientific support for the legal, legislative, and regulatory actions that occur in policy development. 
31. A supervisor’s responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment which is free of discrimination and harassment.
32. Principles of personnel management, supervision, and training.
33. Serve as a direct supervisor for complex scientific projects. 
34. Supervise and direct a work unit of professional staff.
35. Make scientifically based decisions within the project scope that may affect department policies.
36. Effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
37. Direct complex and sensitive programs or components.
38. Make decisions on operational plans.
39. Use scientific expertise to plan and direct major research studies and investigations.
40. Apply expert knowledge.
41. Serve as a spokesperson in a specific scientific area.
42. Participate in the development of policy.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the RESEARCH SCIENTIST SUPERVISOR II Classification will be established for:

• State of California

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.

Instructions:

"Length of Experience"

Candidate will indicate the length of experience they have at performing this task.

"Level of Skill"

Candidate will indicate the type of skill they have in performing this task.

Tasks:

1. Conceiving and planning scientific research work of a large scope on a statewide and national basis that has extreme difficulty and complexity.
2. Conducting scientific research work of large scope on a statewide or national basis that has extreme difficulty and complexity.
3. Serving as a team leader or member on health projects and investigations within a program on a specific phase of a more complex scientific research study.
4. Acting as a technical consultant on health projects and investigations within a program on a specific phase of a more complex scientific research study.
5. Serving as a scientific advisor or consultant to other lower-level scientists conducting studies in a specific field of expertise.
6. Solving problems using standard and complex principles, procedures and techniques for a specific area of expertise.
7. Adapting research methods to problems within a complex scientific scope.
8. Making original, independent decisions on complex scientific problems using scientific theories and principles.
9. Developing and testing hypotheses using scientific methods.
10. Adapting scientific methods, techniques, and procedures to carry out assignments.
11. Developing conclusions and recommendations that are accepted as technically authoritative and are reviewed only for meeting the assignments objectives.
12. Conducting highly specialized phases of a major scientific projects or investigations of sufficient scope to require coordination from other State, local, or Federal agencies.
13. Presenting scientific research or investigations at conferences, meetings, or scientific lay audiences.
14. Publishing peer reviewed scientific journals or other broadly disseminated reports.
15. Providing interpretations of scientific research findings for use by others.
16. Preparing required budgetary and staffing patterns for special scientific research projects.
17. Recruiting and training research personnel.
18. Supervising research personnel.
19. Representing the department in promoting, explaining, and coordinating scientific research.
20. Providing administrative guidance and leadership in planning, organizing, and directing difficult and complex major scientific research studies or health investigations that have broad statewide scientific scope and policy impact.
21. Planning major professional research studies.
22. Executing major professional research studies.
23. Providing recommendation as scientific expert to providers, program administrators, and policy makers.
24. Conducting the development of scientific research studies to evaluate new strategies.
25. Providing scientific technical expertise in a science area appropriate to your educational qualifications and provide consultation to management and others.
26. Directing the dissemination of scientific research or investigations conducted on a statewide basis to experts and the community.
27. Practicing ethical principles in conducting research studies.
28. Ensuring compliance with state and federal guidelines, regulations and laws related to research, data analysis, and data management.
29. Directing, planning, and supporting quality management systems and guidelines.
30. Overseeing work on budgets, budget change proposals, and bill analysis in support of programs’ needs.
31. Applying scientific statistical and analytical methods, procedures and techniques.
32. Applying current scientific research literature and trends applicable to the scientific research area.
33. Using principles and practices of effective supervision.
34. Promoting equal opportunity when hiring, promoting, and maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
35. Using principles and practices of development of scientific questions, choosing appropriate research approaches and methodologies, interpreting scientific findings, developing recommendations related to specific research studies.
36. Applying principles and practice of evaluation of research evidence and casual inference.
37. Applying Quality Assurance/Quality Control methods and procedures.
38. Effectively planning scientific projects/programs based on business and management requirements.
39. Complying with information security and privacy laws/policies, as well as appropriate procedures to manage confidential data.
40. Adaptive leadership and soft skills (i.e., active listening and effective communication).
41. Using management skills and techniques to ensure workload balance.
42. Establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with professional staff and with officials of Federal, State, local, university, and private research organizations.
43. Communicating effectively to supervisors, staff, technical, and non-technical audiences in both written and oral methods.
44. Preparing scientific articles for publication.
45. Preparing research and grant proposals.
46. Providing persuasive and skilled leadership to other staff in scientific research, principles, and methods.
47. Applying professional scientific knowledge and administrative ability to resolve a variety of situations.
48. Analyzing situations accurately and taking effective action.
49. Serving as a team member of research or scientific investigation projects.
50. Evaluating the adequacy of proposed scientific research designs and techniques.
51. Serving as a consultant to other research scientists.
52. Making independent decisions in a specific scientific field.
53. Serving as a direct supervisor and team leader for complex scientific projects.
54. Supervising and directing a work unit of professional classes.
55. Making operation-planning decisions including budget for staff and related resources.
56. Coordinating diverse activities to ensure completion of projects, tasks, and assignments.
57. Applying quality management and improvement tools to operational problems.
58. Recommending, selecting, and utilizing practices and tools in support of data acquisition and data management.
59. Evaluating validity of published and unpublished scientific investigations.
60. Reasoning logically and analyzing data to reach accurate and defensible conclusions.
61. Thinking critically about complex scientific areas and evaluating strengths and weaknesses of scientific approaches.

• State of California

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.

State of California 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.