SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN

State of California; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 54,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Motor Vehicles, Santa Clara Field Office, is seeking a Senior Motor Vehicle Technician for a 12‑month limited term appointment. In this Lead Technician role, you will perform advanced technical work with a high degree of initiative, independence, and accountability for accuracy and thoroughness.

Salary ranges from $4,794 to $6,002 per month; new-to-State candidates are hired at the minimum. Work location is in office (Telework: In Office).

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications are described in the Class Specification.

Responsibilities

• Lead Technician for technical work in a field office with initiative and independence and responsibility for accuracy and thoroughness.

Job description

Job Posting: Senior Motor Vehicle Technician

Department of Motor Vehicles

$4,794.00 - $6,002.00 per Month New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 9/21/2026

Job Description and Duties

This position is located at the Santa Clara Field Office in Santa Clara.

This Limited Term position may be extended to 24 months and may become Permanent.

Under general direction of the Administrative Manager in a Grade IV field office, the Senior Motor Vehicle Technician (SMVT) is a Lead Technician for the performance of technical work in a field office of the Department of Motor Vehicles. In this capacity, the SMVT should exhibit a high degree of initiative, independence of action, and responsibility for the accuracy and thoroughness of their work.

All eligible applicants may apply. A training and development assignment may be considered. SROA/Surplus candidates are encouraged to apply.

The position(s) being advertised may be subject to allocation approval by the Human Resources Branch. Fingerprint/Criminal Record Clearance is required before hire. The Salary Range shown is the minimum and maximum for a full-time appointment. Moving and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed for this position.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Works in an office setting at a public counter. Saturday/extended office hours may be required.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-531225

Position #: 525-632-1890-906

Working Title: Senior Motor Vehicle Technician

Classification: SENIOR MOTOR VEHICLE TECHNICIAN

$4,794.00 - $6,002.00 New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: Santa Clara County

Telework: In Office

Job Type: 12 Month Limited Term - Full Time

Work Shift: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Work Week: Monday through Friday

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Applicants must be eligible for appointment (e.g., must take and pass examination); see Who May Apply section below for more information. Additionally, applicants must have authorization to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.

Using the online application system as specified in this announcement is the preferred method of applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement. Advertisement may be used for subsequent vacancies within 180 days.

Do NOT include ANY confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your Examination/Employment Application (STD. 678), resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver license number (unless required), photograph, basis of eligibility, examination results, Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) status, gender, marital status, ethnicity, and age. Confidential information on STD. 678s submitted electronically online, such as SSN, will automatically be redacted upon submission.

Possession of the Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If it is determined that you do not meet the Minimum Qualifications, your name will be removed or withheld from the eligibility list, rendering your eligibility as inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates whose names have been withheld from an eligibility list may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, please include a copy of your unofficial transcripts for verification. Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an academic credential evaluation. Below is the link to a list of approved agencies.

• Foreign Transcript Evaluation (CL-635)

Desirable Qualifications

None

Benefits

The Department of Motor Vehicles and the State of California offer many benefits to its employees. These include health, vision, and dental benefits; retirement plans (CalPERS); savings plans (401K and 457b); leave benefits; insurance (such as group legal insurance and group long term disability insurance); and employee assistance program. Benefits may be based on the job classification, bargaining unit, tenure, time base, and length of appointment. Click on each web link below for more information.

• Benefits summary – https://benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/general-benefits/
• Benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System – https://benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/retirement/
• Benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service – https://www.calhr.ca.gov/about-calhr/divisions-programs/selection-division/merit-system-services-program/
• Job descriptions and pay scales – https://calcareers.ca.gov/CalHRPublic/Tools/ClassSalarySearch.aspx

Department Information

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is a recognized leader in public service and has existed for over 100 years. The DMV is responsible for registering approximately 36 million vehicles in California, and serving 34 million driver license and identification card holders, collecting over $14 billion in annual revenue. The DMV also maintains and oversees many other functions. The DMV provides quality licensing and motor vehicle-related services in its field offices located throughout California and online at www.dmv.ca.gov

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Human Resources Contact: Talent Acquisition Unit [phone]

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact: Office of Civil Rights and Resolution [phone]

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.