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):

• LEAD GUNSMITH - Open

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

Exam Code(s):

1318

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

Exam Code(s):

• EX-01318

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.

*Applications will be accepted for this examination via electronic submission ONLY. Hard copy applications will NOT be considered or retained. 

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.

Experience:

Pattern I - One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of Gunsmith. 

OR

Pattern II - Four years of experience at the journeyperson level, within the last ten years, in repairing small arms and accessory equipment. (Satisfactory completion of a certified program in gunsmithing at an accredited college or gunsmith school may be substituted for two years of the required experience on a year-for-year basis.)

This examination consists of the following components:

• Online Exam : A passing score must be achieved and is weighted 100% of the final score.

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. The construction, operation, maintenance and repair, and standards of serviceability of parts of the various types and models of weapons used by the department, tools, gauges, and equipment used in the repair and testing of small arms.
2. Shop mathematics sufficient to use testing devices and measuring instruments such as micrometers and gauges.
3. The techniques and equipment used in ballistics testing.
4. Regulations and procedures governing contracts and procurement of parts and supplies.
5. Record keeping.
6. Principles of effective supervising.

Ability to:

1. Read and write at a level appropriate for the work.
2. Locate and identify defects or malfunctions in small arms and make appropriate repair.
3. Review the work of other gunsmiths.
4. Test small arms for safe and proper operation.
5. Keep records and make reports.
6. Negotiate with vendors.
7. Maintain supplies.
8. Demonstrate weapons maintenance to officer trainees and field weapons officers in formal training classes.
9. Instruct and supervise assistants.
10. Follow oral and written direction.
11. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action.
12. Maintain cooperative relationships with those contacted in the work.

A Servicewide Open eligible list for the LEAD GUNSMITH 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 24 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: Rate your experience performing specific job-related tasks.

Respond to each of the following statements, 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 provided. 

In responding to each statement, you may refer to your WORK EXPERIENCE (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 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. Performs the full range of work involved in the maintenance and repair of small arms through training and experience to maintain a safe and functional fleet of arms per manufacturer specifications.
2. Execute initial diagnosis by locating mechanical deficiencies and malfunctions in small arms and accessories (e.g., pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles, automatic weapons) to ensure proper performance of weapons in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
3. Perform disassembly and/or reassembly of weapons and other components utilizing tools to perform maintenance and repairs in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
4. Examine for defects, mechanical misalignment, and malfunctions utilizing hand and specialized tools and manufacturer specified gauges to ensure proper function and safety in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
5. Replace parts and assembles (e.g., barrels, trigger mechanisms, bolts) to ensure proper function and safety in accordance with department policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
6. Make operational checks of new and/or repaired arms by test firing to ensure safety, accuracy, and proper operations in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
7. Test devices (e.g., instruments, jigs, alignment) by using hand and/or machine tools and precision gauges to ensure accurate repairs, modifications, and adjustments in accordance with manufacturer specifications.
8. Review final level of repaired weapons prior to return to designated individual through inspection for safety in accordance with policies and procedures.
9. Maintain an adequate inventory of repair facility supplies (e.g., office supplies, safety items, operational needs) to ensure safe and effective operations in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
10. Lead the work of others (e.g., helpers, employees) in the maintenance and/or repair of small arms to ensure safe and effective operations in accordance with policies and procedures.
11. Communicate (e.g., verbal, written, electronic) with supervisor the repair status of weapons (e.g., time frames, out of service, parts availability) to ensure effective small arms management in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
12. Communicate (e.g., verbal, written, electronic) with vendors to ensure that all equipment repairs (e.g., warranties, adjustments, recalls) are completed in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
13. Research information (e.g., repair manuals, diagnostic, parts) using the internet to ensure safe and effective repairs in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.
14. Create reports using computer software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, fleet software) to document information in accordance with policies and procedures.
15. Provide educational training to outside stakeholders regarding weapons maintenance, functionality, and repair to ensure personnel and public safety in accordance with policies and procedures and/or manufacturer specifications.

• Department of Forestry & Fire Protection
• State of California

Questions? Contact us below! *HARD COPY APPS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED*

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 Forestry & Fire Protection 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.