Employment Opportunities
DSA needs dedicated professionals who are committed to ensuring that our public schools and facilities are structurally safe, and accessible to persons with disabilities. Our staff help to promote our department's mission of excellence in the business of government by being a partner in the design and construction of great schools. Our core values are integrity, accountability, communication, excellence, innovation, and teamwork. If you embody these values, then we would like to meet you.
How to Apply
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Review the Exam Bulletin
This webpage lists examinations for which we are currently accepting applications. Download the examination that interests you for details, including:
- Final Filing Date
- Where to Submit Your Application
- Minimum Qualifications
- Type of Exam
- Scope of Exam (the knowledge and abilities you will be tested for)
- Position Description
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Apply for an Examination
Please go directly to the link for the online exam you are interested in and follow the bulletin instructions. The state's examination application is incorporated into the Online Exam; therefore, you will not need to complete a form STD 678: State Employment Application when applying for an online exam. Please see DSA’s Online Exam FAQs below for additional information.
Complete and submit a form STD 678: State Examination Application (PDF) to the address listed on the bulletin. Read this form carefully and answer all questions which apply to you. Include all education and relevant experience, dates of employment, hours worked per week, etc. on the application. It is important for you to be thorough when including any experience, education or training you believe enhances or substantiates your qualifications. The person reviewing your application can only determine if you meet the minimum qualifications to take the exam based on the information you provide. Do not make any assumptions. Send your application to the address listed on the exam announcement by the final filing date. Paper applications must be postmarked by the final filing date or they will not be accepted. Electronic Applications must be submitted by the final filing date on the announcement. NOTE—Continuous Filing: If the exam announcement states that the exam is continuous filing, applications postmarked or delivered after the indicated Final Filing Date or after the deadline will be held for the next examination period.
Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications. If you do not meet the minimum qualifications, you will receive a notice informing you of that decision. If you receive this notice and believe you meet the minimum qualifications, contact the exam analyst at the phone number provided in your notice. It is possible that information on your application was unclear, inadvertently left out, or misinterpreted. You will have seven working days from the date of the notice to provide any additional information that you feel may qualify you for the examination.
If you have not received any notice within three weeks of the final filing date or three days prior to a written test date, contact the Office of Human Resources at the number listed on the exam announcement.
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Prepare for the Examination
Refer to the examination announcement and read the section entitled “Examination Information.” It will tell you what type of test will be used and what effect (known as “weight”) each test will have on your final score. Read the “Scope” section carefully; it will tell you what subjects will be covered.
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Employment List
All candidates who are successful in passing the exam are given a score based on their responses to the interview questions. An employment or eligibility list is established which places the successful candidates in a “rank” based on their scores. Each rank can include one or more candidates. Only candidates from the top three ranks can be selected for employment. However, as a rank is cleared of candidates either by the candidate(s) hire or non-interest in the position, candidates from the next rank may then be selected.
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Hiring Interview
The hiring interview is specific to the position within the DSA Regional or Headquarters Office where the vacancy exists. When the hiring office is ready to fill a vacancy, “contact letters” may be sent to candidates on the employment list to ask if you are interested in an interview. It is not necessary to wait for a contact letter to apply for a vacancy. You may submit your application for any listed vacancy for which you have eligibility status. All DSA vacancies are listed on our website under Current Job/Exam Bulletins.
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Probation
When you have been hired, you will serve a probationary period of six months to one year. You will receive three probationary reports from your immediate supervisor, which will be discussed with you and reviewed by another supervisor. When you have successfully completed your probation, you will attain permanent status as a State employee.
The state offers comprehensive benefits for its employees, who provide essential and exceptional service to millions of Californians every day. The California Department of Human Resources Salary and Benefits page provides salary and benefit information for State of California employees. From entry-level jobs to student opportunities to full career paths, the state of California offers a wide variety of opportunities for job applicants.
The Division of the State Architect (DSA) has career opportunities in the areas of Access Compliance, Fire and Life Safety, Construction Supervision and Structural Safety. DSA Employment Opportunity announcements provide specifics on experience and educational qualifications needed to apply for positions described below.
Access Compliance
Our architectural team has multiple components. Access Plan Review ensures that plans comply with state standards for building and accessibility. Code Development develops policies and regulations for access compliance. Training and Quality Assurance develops curriculum and presents training for access compliance. DSA employs:
- Associate Architects
- Senior Architects
- Principal Architects
Fire & Life Safety
Our fire and life safety architectural plan review teams ensure that plans comply with the code for life safety, including exiting, occupancy separations, and any fire resistive construction requirements. DSA employs:
- Fire and Life Safety Officers I
- Fire and Life Safety Officers II
- A Principal Fire and Life Safety Officer
Structural Safety
Our Structural Safety teams have multiple components. In the Regional Offices, structural engineers conduct plan review for K–12 schools and community colleges to ensure seismic safety and compliance with the California Building Code. In the Headquarters Office, the Code Development Section develops policies, regulations, and standards for structural safety compliance. They also develop training curriculum for internal staff, project inspectors, and other stakeholders. DSA employs:
- Construction Supervisor IIs
- Senior Structural Engineers
- Supervising Structural Engineers
- Principal Structural Engineers
Construction Oversight
Our District Structural Engineers conduct construction reviews and inspections for major buildings, K–12 schools and community colleges to ensure compliance with the California Building Code for Structural Safety, Fire and Life Safety, Access Compliance, Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing. DSA employs:
- District Structural Engineers
Administrative & Technical Support
Our Regional Offices and Headquarters Office employ a variety of administrative and technical support to help meet the division’s mission and goals. DSA employs:
- Program Technician IIs
- Office Assistants—Typing and General
- Office Technicians—Typing and General
- A Graphic Designer III
- Staff Service Analysts
- Associate Governmental Program Analysts
- Staff Service Manager Is
- Staff Service Manager IIs
The California Department of Human Resources Salary and Benefits page provides salary and benefit information for State of California employees.
Our Benefits Include:
- Competitive Salaries California State Civil Service Pay Scales (PDF)
- Flexible Work Schedules
- Vacation/Sick Leave or Annual Leave
- Holidays—11 paid holidays per calendar year
- Professional Development Days—2 per fiscal year
- Health, Dental and Vision insurance with options
- CalPERS Retirement Plan
- Enhanced Benefits for Managers, Supervisors, Confidential, and Excluded Employees
- Reimbursement of Professional License Renewal Fees
- Discounted Public Transportation
- Employee Assistance Program
Examinations: Open
These examinations are open to anyone who meets the minimum qualifications.
Technical Classifications:
Associate Architect
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Construction Supervisor II
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
District Structural Engineer
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Fire and Life Safety Officer I (Division of the State Architect)
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Fire and Life Safety Officer II (Division of the State Architect)
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Principal Structural Engineer
Final Filing Date: Continuous Filing
Senior Architect
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Senior Electrical Engineer
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Senior Mechanical Engineer
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Senior Structural Engineer
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Supervising Architect
Final Filing Date: Continuous Filing
Supervising Structural Engineer
Final Filing Date: Continuous Filing
Administrative Classifications:
Associate Governmental Program Analyst
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Office Technician (General)
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Office Technician (Typing)
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Program Technician II
Final Filing Date: Online Registration
Staff Services Analyst (General)
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Staff Services Manager I
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Staff Services Manager II
Final Filing Date: Online Exam
Examinations: Promotional
No promotional examinations are available at this time.
Examinations: Transfer
Staff Services Analyst (General)
Continuous – Transfer Exam (Written)
Associate Governmental Program Analyst
LOCATION: Oakland
Final Filing Date: 04/26/2024
Supervising Architect
LOCATION: OAKLAND
Final Filing Date: 04/28/2024
Associate Governmental Program Analyst
LOCATION: SAN DIEGO
Final Filing Date: 04/29/2024
District Structural Engineer
LOCATION: Oakland
Final Filing Date: 05/15/2024
What is an online exam?
An Internet exam is an online exam given by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). The Department of General Services, Division of the State Architect, currently uses Internet exams for the following classifications. These exams are available on a continuous basis:
- Associate Architect
- District Structural Engineer
- Fire and Life Safety Officer I
- Fire and Life Safety Officer II
- Senior Architect
- Senior Structural Engineer
- Staff Services Manager I
- Staff Services Manager II
- Associate Governmental Program Analyst
- Staff Services Analyst
- Office Technician
Who can take an online exam?
Anyone who meets the minimum qualifications of the classification being tested may apply for an Internet exam. You do not have to be a State employee. See the exam bulletin or CalHR class specification to see if you meet the minimum requirements.
Where can I take an online exam?
You can go to the Online Exam page on the CalHR’s CalCareers webpage.
When will I know my score?
You will receive your test score as soon as you complete and pass the exam. However, it may take up to a week for your exam ranking to update on the hiring list.
How long will I remain on the eligible list?
The length of eligibility depends on the specific classification of the exam. The majority of the exam eligibility lists are one year from the date you complete and pass the exam. Check your exam results and CalCareers account for the duration of eligibility.
How often can I take the online exam?
You are eligible to take most exams every twelve months. There may be a window of time in which you appear on the list twice. However, the system will remove your earlier score after 12 months. The system will tell you when you are eligible to take the exam again.
Who can I contact if I have more questions on the online exam?
The DGS Office of Human Resources, Selections Unit at (916) 376-5400.
Additional Information
For more CA State employment opportunities, go to CalHR’s CalCareers website.
Download a State of California Exam/Job Application (Form STD 678) (PDF).
State Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
It is the policy of the State of California to provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified job applicants and employees based on merit, and to prohibit illegal discrimination in every aspect of personnel policies and employment practices, including recruitment, examining, hiring, promotion, training, work assignments, work environment, and other benefits and privileges of employment. Agencies and departments shall ensure that this policy is fully implemented and that no harassing or retaliatory actions are taken against applicants or employees for exercising their civil rights under this policy.
Contact DSA HQ Employee Resources Office
Headquarters Office
Division of the State Architect
Sacramento, CA 95811
DSA Human Resources