This blog will briefly go over the hierarchy from the lowest position you can obtain through the highest you could get from an outsider position. While this information may not always be the case, knowing exactly what job you're applying for in the "ranks" will give you a better understanding where you fall into the mix. Alot of the titles and terms may throw you off a bit so I will include some explanation, so you don't waste your time on a position that's "permanent intermittent" when you want a steady job with no interruptions.
Permanent Intermittent
What this means simply is that you're a permanent employee for Caltrans but are limited to the number of hours you can work in a fiscal year. If you meet your hour cap you are laid off temporarily and your supervisor will call you when you can come back. You are able to work about 1500 hours in this time period and over time is included toward deduction of those hours. Do not worry though, you do have the chance to get your hours extended if you hit the cap before then. I will say though that if you're not showing your willingness to advance and working hard toward becoming full-time it may deter your supervisor from pressing upper management to get you those hours. Even if your supervisor is on your side pushing for this understand it's not always up to your supervisor nor does his/her opinion count for what is "mission critical" but it helps to be a great employee. Because this position is not full-time having a great recommendation from your supervisor will help when interviewing for full-time positions because to advance from a P.I. you will have to interview for a full-time position.
To add on a little to the P.I. section I will describe when a job posting includes Caltrans Highway Maintenance Worker P.I. Snow. Now this is a little different from a normal maintenance worker position because you will be solely hired for snow work during the winter. But don't be discouraged from applying for this job because any job you take gets your foot in the door. Chances are if you are applying for a snow job you will be placed in a snow yard. Everything still applies from the original P.I. section but, you may not work if it doesn't snow. I really want to say this because we all have bills and going through all of this waiting during the application processes can be a long stretch of time just to be unsure if you're working when you actually get the job. There's no way to tell if you're going to be working 12-hour shifts for 7 days straight for weeks or work 1 day it all depends on the weather.
Service Assistance Maintenace (SAM)
I would say that SAM'S are at the same level as a P.I. but the only difference is that they are typically full-time. But understand that you're below a regular maintenance worker in the hierarchy and will be doing odd jobs if your unlucky and didn't read this blog! So, with any maintenance position you have to read the fine print. The job title maybe says Maintenance Worker, but you could be doing landscape, highway litter crew, building maintenance, or other random positions. As of now SAMS seem to be the top position hiring. If you're trying to get your foot in the door it's a great start. But know that you're going to be working alongside people with essentially the same job getting paid more. Though if you are in a tough spot and don't have a license for example, you can get hired as a SAM but not as a full-time maintenance worker because a driver's license is required in the duty statement. So, if you are able to just go for the maintenance worker position off the bat and try to skip being a SAM altogether!
Maintenance Worker (Fulltime)
Getting a job as a Maintenance Worker should be your goal other than an Operator 2. If you are a SAM or PI this is going to be what your next step will be unless you get/have a Class A license which is required for an Operator position. Becoming a fulltime Maintenance Worker can be really tough if you don't have any experience or any contacts that currently do the job. I did not know anyone who worked at Caltrans, so this blog is for the outsiders like me who want a great job and some real insight. Read my other posts about Maintenance Worker for more information on testing, interview readiness, and day to day activities.
Operator 2
If you do not have a Class A with two years' experience, then you can always become an Operator 2 through Caltrans. When you become a Maintenance Worker, they have a program called fast track where they help you get your Class A license. BUT you should have worked as a Maintenance Worker for 3 years and obtain a permit to be qualified. This is not always the tale, but this is generally how it works. Along with this position it opens a lot of other opportunities for advancement like Lead Worker or other Class A required jobs that pay pretty good.
Conclusion
TLDR; Just aim for fulltime Maintenace Worker unless you need a job asap then just take whatever to get your foot in the door.
Yorumlar