STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES-

Department-of-Consumer-Affairs; California; On-site; USD 35,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

State of California seeks a Student Assistant in Engineering and Architectural Sciences to support testing, lab work, and engineering tasks under supervision. You will gain practical exposure to BAR procedures, technical analysis, and equipment maintenance while learning in a structured program.

Responsibilities include assisting with equipment testing, laboratory research, and quality control. The position is located in Rancho Cordova, CA, with a Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM work schedule.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester units or 9 quarter units per term.
• GPA at least 2.0; field of study must relate to duties.
• DCA/ BAR procedures familiarity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support engineering and research activities in a learning capacity.
• Assist with equipment testing and certification.
• Conduct laboratory research and quality control tasks.
• Perform general engineering tasks under supervision.

Skills

Laboratory work

Field work

Safety procedures

Team collaboration

Education

Enrolled in college (6+ units)

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Safety gear

Job description

Student Assistant
STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES-

$3,167.00 - $4,881.00 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: 11/12/2026

Under the close supervision of the Senior Air Quality Engineer (AQE), the Student Assistant supports engineering and research activities in a learning capacity. The role involves assisting with equipment testing and certification, laboratory research, quality control, and general engineering tasks, while gaining practical experience with BAR procedures, technical analysis, and maintenance of inspection equipment.

In all job functions, employees are responsible for creating an inclusive, safe, and secure work environment that values diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences, and is free from discrimination. Employees are expected to provide all members of the public equitable services and treatment, collaborate with underserved communities and tribal governments, and work toward improving outcomes for all Californians.

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

Working Conditions

40% Laboratory and Field Work – The incumbent works in the Engineering laboratory under extreme temperatures (from 35 degrees to 100 degrees) or out in the field in varied weather conditions. Incumbent is required to wear safety equipment and apply safety procedures, stand for long periods of time, occasionally lift over 50 pounds of materials/equipment, set up and/or operate various machineries and equipment, drive a vehicle, and perform housekeeping in the laboratory.

40% Office Work – The incumbent works in an office setting with artificial light and temperature control and uses a personal computer, laptop, fax, copier, and other office equipment.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, they must reside in the State of California once they are hired and start working.

Effective July 1, 2025, the State of California implemented the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) which reduces an employee's monthly salary in exchange for leave credits. Employees appointed to this classification will have their monthly salary reduced and will accrue hours of PLP 2025 on the first day of each pay period as outlined on "Section 2113 - Personal Leave Program (PLP)" of the CalHR Manual. The salary range(s) included on this job posting do not reflect the reduction in pay.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES-

STUDENT ASSISTANT -ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURAL SCIENCES- $3,167.00 - $3,598.00A $3,402.00 - $3,858.00B $3,661.00 - $4,153.00C $3,806.00 - $4,322.00D $3,951.00 - $4,488.00E $4,112.00 - $4,665.00F $4,298.00 - $4,881.00G New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions: Multiple

Telework: In Office

Job Type: Student Assistant

Facility: Bureau of Automotive Repair

Work Shift: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Work Week: Monday - Friday

Department Information

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) protects and serves California consumers while ensuring a competent and fair marketplace. DCA educates consumers and protects professionals from unfair competition by unlicensed practitioners.

DCA is a unique and dynamic department consisting of 36 different boards, bureaus, a commission, and a program that license and regulate more than 3.4 million licensees in more than 280 license types including certificates, registrations, and permits. DCA has many exciting career opportunities available and is dedicated to hiring and retaining qualified employees.

The Bureau of Automotive Repair's mission is to protect and serve California consumers by ensuring a fair and competitive automotive repair marketplace and administering a model motor vehicle emissions reduction program.

This position is located in Rancho Cordova, CA.

This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position. Individuals who are, or have been a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating "preference under Government Code section 18220". Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.

Applicants must provide transcripts (unofficial or official) and/or verification of college enrollment with their application when applying for this position. Candidates must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 semester units or 9 quarter units per academic term with no less than 12 semester units or 18 quarter units per academic year. Candidates must have a 2.0 grade point average. Additionally, the candidate's field of study shall correlate with the duties of this position.

Required Application Package Documents

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Supplemental Application - Please see "Supplemental Questionnaire Instructions" below.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

• Positive attitude and highly motivated.
• Ability to analyze information and make decisions in a competent and timely manner.
• Ability to work well with others and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to ask effective questions, evaluates information, apply guidelines and procedures, and make accurate and timely decisions.
• Ability to work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to maximize utilization of computers to accomplish daily tasks.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance.

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Hiring Unit Contact:
Lyndsay Chambers
[phone]
[e-mail]

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:
EEO Officer
[phone]
[e-mail]

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

* Employment information on the STD 678 MUST be completed with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Failure to submit a completed STD 678 may result in you being screened out. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, as specified in the classification specification (http://www.calhr.ca.gov/state-hr-professionals/pages/job-descriptions.aspx), please include a copy of your degree or unofficial transcripts with your application package. Please be aware that if you are selected for the position, you will be required to submit official sealed transcripts.

* DO NOT include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, or LEAP information.

* Electronic applications through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended.

Applicants who fail to submit the most current version of the STD 678 may be disqualified.

• Multiple positions may become available.

SUPPLEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE INSTRUCTIONS

Supplemental Questionnaire: To be considered for the position, please provide a response to each of the questions noted below.

The response should not be more than 1 page, using Arial 12-point font size with 1” margins.

Responses to the supplemental questionnaire will assist in appraising the relative qualifications of candidates; consideration will be given to the extent and type of pertinent experience and education over and above that which is required under the minimum qualifications.

When responding to the supplemental questionnaire, ensure your responses are complete, specific, clear, and concise.

• Please list the Job Control and Position Number listed in the JOB ANNOUNCEMENT POSTING for the position you are applying for.
• Please describe why you are interested in working for the Bureau of Automotive Repair’s Engineering and Research Branch.
• Please describe how your knowledge, skills, abilities and experience qualify you to perform the essential functions outlined in the duty statement.

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.