• Continuous filing dates have been added.
• Clicking the “Apply Now” above on this exam bulletin does not submit your application to the job vacancy, the link above is for the exam only. You must go to the job posting to apply for the position separately.

TIP: It is recommended to apply to a job vacancy via the job posting prior to taking the exam, as the exam process may exceed the job posting final filing date. When applying to a job posting you may choose “other” when asked for eligibility then enter in the text field “Exam application being submitted”. This is a department specific exam; you must submit your STD 678 State Application directly to the Department to be admitted to this exam.

The ONLY methods to apply for this exam is by emailing the Department’s exam unit, mailing, or dropping off to the address indicated in the instructions; applying through CalCareers is not an option. By clicking the “Apply Now” button at the top of the bulletin, you will be prompted to either use a template application or create an application. You will then be directed to either download to PDF or print a hard copy to submit via the accepted options (email, mail or drop off).

Please see the “How to Apply” section of this exam bulletin for more details.

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

• 10/2/2025
• 10/16/2025
• 10/30/2025
• 11/13/2025
• 12/4/2025
• 12/18/2025
• 1/8/2026
• 1/22/2026
• 2/5/2026
• 2/19/2026
• 3/5/2026
• 3/19/2026
• 4/2/2026
• 4/16/2026
• 4/30/2026
• 5/14/2026
• 5/28/2026
• 6/11/2026
• 6/25/2026

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.

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):

• HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITY) - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

2171

For HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITY), once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

• EX-02171

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

You may apply by mail to:

• Prison Industry Authority
  Exam Unit
  560 East Natoma Street
  Folsom, CA 95630
  

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:

• Prison Industry Authority
  Exam Unit
  560 East Natoma Street
  Folsom, CA 95630
  8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  Non-operational weekends and holidays

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.

You may apply by email to:

Exams@calpia.ca.gov

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

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.

Possession of a valid Class C driver license.  (Applicants who do not possess the license will be allowed to compete in the examination, but the license must be obtained prior to appointment.)

and

Either I

Completion of a recognized apprenticeship as a gas and diesel-powered truck mechanic, or a heavy construction equipment mechanic.  (Apprentices who are within six months of completing their apprenticeship program may be admitted to the examination, but they must present evidence of completion of a recognized apprenticeship before they may be appointed.)

Or II

Four years of varied mechanical experience on gas and diesel-powered trucks or heavy construction equipment.  An Associate of Arts Degree in Heavy Equipment Maintenance, Diesel Mechanics, or Heavy Equipment Mechanics, or a certificate of completion from an accredited Community College or equivalent degree or certificate approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education under the provisions of California Education Code Division 10, Part 59, Chapter 3, may be substituted for two years of the required experience.  (Students who are within six months of completing their degree will be admitted to the examination but must present evidence of completion prior to appointment.)

Or III

Three years performing the duties of a Heavy Equipment Mechanic Apprentice in the California state service, at least two years of which shall have included experience on gasoline and diesel-powered heavy construction or highway maintenance equipment.

This examination consists of the following component(s):

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

It is anticipated that candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for this examination will be sent an email within 2 business days after the cut-off date, which will contain the instructions and the link to complete the online Training and Experience (T&E) examination. It is the candidate’s responsibility to contact California Prison Industry’s Examination Unit at (916) 358-2696 or email Exams@calpia.ca.gov if they have not received the T&E link within 2 business days of the cut-off date.

NOTE: The Training and Experience (T&E) exam link will be sent to YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS INDICATED ON YOUR STD 678 APPLICATION from Survey Monkey. Any requests for alternative email addresses must be requested by contacting the Examination Unit at Exams@calpia.ca.gov before the cut-off date.

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 (with particular reference to Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Correctional Facility):  

1. Methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in construction, assembly, overhaul, repair, and adjustment of gas and diesel-powered trucks, and heavy construction and maintenance equipment to assemble, maintain and/or dismantle various items.
2. Heavy equipment maintenance and repair and operating characteristics of gas and diesel-powered trucks and other types of vehicles to carry out various work activities.
3. Safety regulations and practices to ensure compliance and a safe working environment.
4. Basic computer skills to ensure efficient record keeping.

Skill in (with particular reference to Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Correctional Facility):

1. Mechanical repair, adjustment, and fabrication of special equipment to efficiently and effectively carry out assignments.

Ability to (with particular reference to Heavy Equipment Mechanic (Correctional Facility):

1. Supervise, train, and discipline staff and offenders in a repair shop environment to accurately communicate and achieve CALPIA objectives.
2. Communicate effectively at a level required for successful job performance to effectively work with appropriate CALPIA management and staff.
3. Fabricate, repair, and make adjustments to various equipment and systems (i.e., heavy equipment and maintenance equipment, gas and diesel-powered trucks, etc.) to accomplish goals and objectives.
4. Install and test pumps, motors, and similar equipment to determine and implement appropriate courses of action.
5. Perform welding as needed to complete projects and assignments.
6. Procure parts and supplies and estimate repair costs to deliver services and convey information.
7. Work from drawings and sketches and make sketches of broken parts for replacement to facilitate problem resolution.
8. Make repairs in the field without supervision to meet project demands and objectives.
   

A Departmental Open eligible list for the HEAVY EQUIPMENT MECHANIC (CORRECTIONAL FACILITY) Classification will be established for:

• Prison Industry Authority

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.

• Prison Industry Authority

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.

Prison Industry Authority 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.