How to Apply

As a state department, Energy Safety accepts applications through a civil service application process, which is a merit-based system designed to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity to all applicants. California has a centralized employment website called CalCareers where applicants can search for and apply for state jobs. Within the state system, job titles are called classifications. Similar classifications are often grouped into a series that illustrates the advancement opportunities available along that career path.

More Information

1. Create a CalCareers Account and Profile
    1. Go to https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/
    2. Fill out a Standard State Application (STD 678).
      1. Optional: You can save your application as a template to easily apply to multiple state vacancies.
        1. In CalCareers, click on “My Account” on the top navigation bar.
        2. Click on “Application Templates (STD 678)” on the left navigation bar.
        3. Click “Create New Template” and answer all required questions.
        4. If you passed the exam, select “List Eligibility”
        5. The “Duties Performed” section for each employment record should be accurate and complete. Putting “See Resume” is highly discouraged.
      2. Once your template is complete, you will be able to select it when starting a new job application. For each job application, you will be able to “Choose/Upload” any required supporting documents like your resume, statement of qualifications, supplemental questionnaire, transcripts, etc.
    3. Other CalCareers features:
      1. Submit applications to jobs and examinations
      2. Store work history and cover letters
    • Review job vacancy statuses and examination results
2. Research and Identify Which Classifications (or Jobs) you are Qualified and Interested in
    1. You can search job openings by job title.
    2. Read the duty statement (job description) and the classification specification for the job carefully.
      1. The job classification specification will provide you with the minimum qualifications (MQs) required for the position. MQs are the skills, experience, licensure, education, etc. that an individual must have in order to be considered for the position. Review the MQs for the position before taking the exam to make sure you are qualified for the position and have met all requirements.
    3. If you meet the minimum qualifications for the position, take the exam.
3. Take an Exam
    1. Examinations are administered through CalHR or through specific Departments to assess knowledge, skills, and abilities of candidates.
      1. Search for exams on https://www.calcareers.ca.gov/ or here to see which classification you are qualified and interested in.
      2. Review the Minimum Qualifications, Position Description, Examination Scope, and other important information.
    • Preview the exam by clicking the link under “Examination Information.”
    1. Take the exam by clicking the link under “Taking the Examination.”
4. Search for Jobs
    1. Once you take and pass an examination, you will obtain list eligibility and will receive a letter stating your score and rank. Your eligibility will also be stored in your personal CalCareers account. Now that you have obtained list eligibility, you can begin to search for specific jobs at www.calcareers.ca.gov.
    2. You can also visit California Department of Human Resource’s Steps to a State Job webpage or check out some tutorials for job seekers.
5. Apply for Jobs
    1. Apply for the job electronically by the final filing date. After you’ve completed and electronically submitted your application, the application will show under the “Submitted” tab in your CalCareers account.
    2. The job’s duty statement and job posting are helpful to review if invited for an interview.
Tips for Applying for a State Job
  • Be sure to include in your application and resume any key words from a job’s duty statement that apply to your education or experience.
  • Many applications ask for a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) in which you must respond to specific questions. This takes more time to do, but since far fewer people apply for these positions because they don’t want to spend the time doing an SOQ, you have a better chance of getting an interview for one of these positions.
  • Upload your accompanying documents to your application as smaller, PDF files.
  • You will stand out if you always include a cover letter and resume, even if the application doesn’t ask for one.
  • After you finish filling out your online application, before you submit it, download it as a PDF to see how it will appear when printed. Check that on the PDF version the bullet points line up properly in the “Duties Performed” section. This detail can make a difference when your application is printed for the hiring manager.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I become an Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety Employee?
  1. Search for Jobs on the CalCareers Website.
  2. Go to calcareers.ca.gov and create a CalCareers account.
  3. Pass an Exam. To determine whether you qualify for a specific job type, you must complete an examination for that job type (classification) to establish list eligibility. If you pass an exam for a specific job type, you can apply for any job vacancy advertised under that classification.
  4. Apply for Job Openings. Search and apply for Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety online using your CalCareers While online applications are highly recommended, you can also apply by submitting the Standard State Application (STD 678) and any other required documents by mail. All paper applications must be postmarked as instructed in the job bulletin.
What is an eligible list?
An eligible list consists of applicants who have passed all parts of the examination and can be considered for employment, based on their score. Generally, the top three ranks (highest scores) are considered immediately employable and will be contacted first.

Eligible List:  A list of persons who have been examined in an open competitive examination and are eligible for certification for a specific class.

Eligibility:  Term used to describe a passing score received on an examination. In order to apply for employment with the State of California, list eligibility must be established for the classification. List eligibility can be up to four years but is typically one year in length. When list eligibility expires, an applicant must reapply to re-establish eligibility by retaking the examination.

How do I know what rank I'm in?
When you receive your notice of exam results, it will indicate your total score and the rank on the list this score represents. If you are in Rank 1, 2, or 3, you can immediately begin looking for job openings/vacancies. However, even if you are in lower ranks, you could become reachable as hires are made, and employment preferences for individual positions are not selected by persons in higher ranks.

If you receive an employment contact letter from Energy Safety’s Human Resources, that means your name was certified on the eligible list and you are probably reachable for consideration for that position. Again, due to employment preferences, you may be contacted as reachable for one position and not be reachable for another position.

What is a contact letter?
When Energy Safety uses an employment list to fill an open position, employment contact letters are sent to the individuals on the eligible list to determine if they are interested in a position.

Some important information you should know about employment contacts are:

  • Employment contact (Inquiry) letter: Any communication, including, but not limited to, by way of letter, telephone, email, or other electronic means, used to contact candidates to determine their interest in a job vacancy. Most commonly seen as a letter sent to individuals on a Cert Lists to ascertain their interest in a specific position. Also referred to as a “Contact” or “Contact Letter” (2 CCR § 80.1)
  • If you receive a contact letter, you must respond by the date indicated on the letter to be considered for the position. If you do not respond by the date indicated, the department does not have to consider you for the position.
What information should I include in my application?
Application (std. 678):  The official state application form for examinations and employment.  It is available in hard copy form, or electronic through a MyCalCareer Account.  It contains a person’s personal information, basic employment questions, education, work history, demographic and Employment Equal Opportunity (EEO) data.

The application you submit for a job opportunity bulletin is a reflection of your ability to read, understand and follow directions, as well as your ability to present complete and accurate information. Carefully fill out your application and answer all questions.

You may include a resume with your application to describe in detail your education and experience; however, be sure to include the following information directly on the application form, in the event the resume gets separated from the application: the job title of each job you held, the employer you worked for, the dates you worked in each job (to and from dates), whether the job was full-time or part-time, and the number of hours worked each week.

CalHR provides a job application package checklist which can be found on CalCareers in the Additional Documents section of the job posting.

The checklist lists the required documents that you must submit when applying for a job on CalCareers. Please note that every job application package may request different required documents (i.e., resume, cover letter, Statement of Qualifications (SOQ), transcripts or copy of diploma, or an Employment Application Form (STD 678). Each job opportunity listed on CalCareers will have set requirements for the job application package. This will differ depending on the position and classification. To be considered for the position you are applying for, you must include all the required documents listed on the job application package checklist.

What is normally required in a job application package?
Typically, an Employment Application Form (STD 678) and resume will be the most common requirements for an application package. However, some other documents may be required, such as a SOQ, cover letter, a typing certificate, or a copy of your degree.
What is always required in a job application package?
  1. State Application for Employment (STD 678)

What are additional common components of a job application package?

  1. Resume
  2. Cover letter
  3. SOQ (if applicable)
  4. Supplemental documentation (certificates, degrees, official transcripts, licenses, etc.), usually listed as “other” on the checklist, if applicable.

Please remember that in order to have your application considered, you must include all the required documents listed in the job advertisement in your application package. Read the advertisement carefully and in its entirety. All this information will be listed on CalCareers under the job posting. You will click on the job posting and scroll down to application instructions. You will then look under Required Application Package Documents to view what should be included in the job application package. You can also reference the job application package checklist.

Resources: CalCareers Tutorial Videos for Job Seekers

If you require Reasonable Accommodation to take a written test or interview, please check the appropriate box on the online application form.

I've already applied, what happens next?
After the application period ends, we will review all the applications and the most qualified applicants will be selected to interview.

It may take 2-5 weeks before you hear if we selected you for an interview.

What can I expect to occur in the job interview?
You will interview with hiring managers and subject matter experts in the area in which there is an opening. The panel typically consists of 2-3 people.
How will I know if I passed the interview?
Once you have completed the interview, you will receive notice about whether you have or have not been selected for the particular opening.  If you have been selected, the hiring manager/supervisor will call you to extend a formal offer and process necessary paperwork, before finally establishing an official start date.  If you have not been selected, you will be notified by email from CalCareers and encouraged to apply for other positions that are open at Energy Safety.
Do I need to complete a separate application for each open job?
Yes, but you can simply submit the same data to multiple Job opportunity and/or exam bulletins without re-entering any of your data. You should continue to update information on your application(s) in order to your changing work experience/education.
How do I write a statement of qualifications (SOQ)?
Often, a Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required to apply for a civil service position. A SOQ is a mechanism for obtaining an applicant’s qualifications and experience in job-related areas. A SOQ consists of a series of questions or require you to address desirable qualifications. A SOQ may be scored as part of the application screening process and may serve as a writing sample and written interview for the recruitment.

If you are asked to provide a SOQ, this is your opportunity to showcase the skills, experience, and knowledge you have that is needed to be successful in the position. It will also set you apart and tell the employer why you are the best candidate for the job.

Check out the tips below on how to write an effective SOQ:

  • Planning
    1. Read the entire job advertisement.
    2. Review and consider each question or desirable qualification that is listed in the job posting.
    3. Refrain from regurgitating what is on your resume.
    4. Allow yourself enough time to complete the required document(s) to eliminate room for errors.
    5. Do not sell yourself short on your experience.
  • Writing
    1. Clearly define your experience and how it aligns to the duty statement.
    2. There is not one perfect way to write a SOQ, but the best advice is to make it unique to you.
    3. Remember that grammar, clarity of expression, and legibility are considered in the evaluation process.
    4. If a question doesn’t pertain to you, write in the most closely related answer possible to showcase your transferable skills.
    5. Be specific when answering questions regarding your experience (where, when, what, how, and why).
    6. Provide specific examples that demonstrate your qualifications.
    7. If the question has multiple parts (A, B, and C), answer each part separately.
    8. Address each question/desirable qualification described in the recruitment individually.
  • Reviewing
    1. Ensure you address all questions/desirable qualifications.
    2. Ensure you follow all SOQ instructions regarding font, font size and number of pages.
Can I use a college degree from a foreign country?

Yes, however education acquired outside of any State of the U.S., the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, or any territory or possession of the U.S. must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service in order to be given credit towards meeting the minimum qualifications. Any provider from the following two national associations of credential evaluation services may be used for this evaluation: