The following is the typical recruitment and hiring process candidates follow when applying for a job at CALPIA. As a state agency, CALPIA accepts applications through the civil service application system, CalCareers. CALPIA is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Search
Identify a specific job or jobs you wish to apply for at the California Prison Industry Authority. Check out all of our current open job opportunities on CalCareers and use our Job Search page for an easy way to search and filter all of our open jobs by work type, schedule, minimum salary, location, and job category.
Assessment
After you’ve identified a specific job classification you want to apply for, you will need to create an account with CalCareers. From there, you will need to locate and take the associated assessment/exam for the job classification you are interested in.
- To search and access all Statewide exams, click here.
- To search and access all CALPIA specific exams, (1) create an account here, then (2) search our exam bulletins here.
- If you have a disability, the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an alternative to the traditional testing process, allowing applicants to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities through on-the-job testing. You can view all LEAP Statewide exams here.
When completing an assessment, be sure to include all relevant work and volunteer experience related to the job classification. You may need to consult your college transcript to include the number of units you have completed on related subjects, if applicable.
There are additional preference points available for veterans, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran. For more information about veteran’s preference points, click here.
Apply
After you have taken and passed the assessment, login to your CalCareers account, create an application template (STD 678), then apply for the current open job(s). Be sure to apply by the final filing date and online through CalCareers for easy tracking and submittal process.
Tips to Applying
- Be sure to include any key words from the associated duty statement in your application that apply to your education and/or experience.
- Read the job posting carefully to see if there are any other additional supplemental questions or requested materials like college transcripts, resumes, a cover letter, or references.
- Upload your accompanying documents to your CalCareers account as PDF files.
- You will stand out if you include a cover letter and resume, even if the application doesn’t require one.
- After you finish filling out your online application, but before you submit it, download it as a PDF to see how it will appear when printed. Verify that all formatting is correct on the PDF version as this can make a difference when your application is printed for the hiring manager/supervisor.
Interview
It generally takes 2 – 4 weeks after the final filing for top candidates to be contacted for an interview and 1 – 2 weeks for the first-round interview process to be completed. Depending on the job, there may be more than one round of interviews conducted.
Reference & OPF Checks
If you are selected as the top candidate, your references are checked and, for current/past State employees, your official personnel file (OPF) is reviewed. This process generally takes up to 1 week to be completed.
Conditional Job Offer
If you are provided a conditional job offer and accept, all new employees must complete and pass a Live Scan and tuberculosis (TB) Testing to receive a formal job offer. This process generally takes 1 – 2 weeks to be completed.
Official Job Offer
After receiving TB Test results and your Live Scan pass, we will make an official job offer, generally within 1 – 3 business days.
First Day
If you are provided an official job offer and accept, your new supervisor will work with you to determine a start date. Generally, new employees are provided with a start date of the first Monday of the following month.
