Entry Level Lab Jobs in Sacramento, CA (NOW HIRING)

Will Consider Junior Engineering Technician
Under the direction and supervision of a Senior Transportation Engineer, the incumbent shall perform a variety of transportation engineering tasks related to the Construction and Design pavement and materials engineering program. The incumbent will perform engineering work related to Materials Laboratory testing, including field investigations and preparing final reports regarding the laboratory test results. The incumbent also conducts research on new pavement materials and participates in statewide task groups to improve pavement specifications and testing practices.
PARF# 04-26-0616 / JC-529100
Eligibility for hire may be determined by your score on the Transportation Engineering Technician exam. For those who do not have current eligibility (e.g., transfer, permissive reinstatement, or voluntary demotions) and/or who will be new to state civil services employment, you must be on the state examination list to be eligible for these positions. To apply for the exam, please click here and search by typing in the classification title.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Position located at 5675 Gibraltar Drive, Ste. B, Pleasanton, CA, Alameda County
Multiple positions may be filled from this recruitment.
While at their base of operation, employees will work in a climate-controlled office under artificial lighting. Employee may also be required to travel and work outdoors and may be exposed to dirt, noise, uneven surfaces, and/or extreme heat or cold. Occasional or infrequent overnight travel may be required for training and/or meetings.
This position may be eligible for telework. The amount of telework is at the discretion of the Department and based on Caltrans's current telework policy. While Caltrans supports telework, in-person attendance may be required based on operational needs. Employees are expected to be able to report to their worksite with minimal notification if an urgent need arises.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
• JUNIOR ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-529100
Position #(s):
904-501-3175-911
Working Title:
Materials Lab Technician
Classification:
TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN $3,951.00 - $4,949.00 A
$4,695.00 - $5,876.00 B
$5,644.00 - $7,063.00 C
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
Shall Consider:
JUNIOR ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN
$3,242.00 - $4,059.00 A
$3,914.00 - $4,903.00 B
# of Positions:
Multiple
Work Location:
Alameda County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information
Caltrans Mission : Improving lives and communities through transportation.
Caltrans Vision: A thriving and connected California.
The Caltrans workforce is made up of diverse and unique individuals who contribute to our organizational success.
Department Website: www.dot.ca.gov
Director's EEO Policy : https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Director's EEO Policy Statement: https://dot.ca.gov/programs/equal-employment-opportunity
Special Requirements

• Possession of a valid driver's license is required when operating a State owned or leased vehicle.
• Statement of Qualification (SOQ) is required.

This position is subject to the Post & Bid process. Applications from a certification list, transfer, reinstatement, re-employment, and/or training and development assignment will be accepted for this position, but cannot be acted upon unless the Post & Bid process does not result in a hire.
The Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) serves as documentation of each applicant's ability to present information clearly and concisely in writing. Please follow the instructions below; failure to include and complete the SOQ as instructed may result in the SOQ not being considered and in disqualification from the interview. Resumes and cover letters will not take the place of the SOQ. The SOQ must be typed, no more than two pages in length, and 12-point Arial font.
SOQ-Please include a 1 page, 12 font size Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) indicating why you believe your knowledge, skills, and experience would make you the best candidate to take on the roles and responsibilities of the Materials Lab Technician.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are basing your eligibility on education, you must include your unofficial transcript(s)/diploma for verification. Unofficial, original, or official sealed transcripts will be accepted and may be required upon appointment. Applicants with foreign transcripts/degrees must provide a transcript/degree U.S. equivalency report evaluation that indicates the number of units and degree to which the foreign coursework is equivalent. Please visit either of the following two websites for a list of evaluation agencies: https://www.naces.org/members or https://aice-eval.org . Please redact birthdates and social security numbers.
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 9/2/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of Transportation
N/A
Attn: Caltrans DHR Contact
Certification Services MS-90
P O Box 168036
Sacramento , CA 95816-8036
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of Transportation
Drop-Off Address
Caltrans DHR Contact
Classification and Hiring Unit - ECOS
1727 30th Street, MS 90
Sacramento , CA 95816
Closed on weekends and State holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• 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.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see the Special Requirements section for SOQ instructions.

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 In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
The selected candidate may be required to conduct business travel on behalf of the Department or commute to the headquartered location. Business travel reimbursements consider an employee's designated Headquarters Location, primary residence, and may be subject to CalHR regulations or applicable bargaining unit contract provisions. All commute expenses to the headquartered location will be the responsibility of the selected candidate. A valid California Drivers License is required for operating a state vehicle.
Employee may be required to move large or cumbersome reports/plans from one location to another; occasional bending, stooping and kneeling. The workload is subject to frequent, substantial, and unexpected changes within a few months.
Mental requirements include sustained mental activity needed for report writing, problem solving, analysis and reasoning. Must have the ability to multi-task, adapt to changes in priorities, and complete tasks or projects with short notice. Must have the ability to develop new insights into situations and apply innovative solutions to make organizational improvements; enable others to acquire the tools and support they need to perform well; understand linkages between administrative competencies and mission needs.
Benefits
Click HERE to view the Benefits Summary for Civil Service Employees in the State of California.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Human Resources Contact:
David Lin
(279) 234-2708
david.lin@dot.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Danielle Hendrickson
(510) 385-8155
danielle.hendrickson@dot.ca.gov
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:
Caltrans EEO Office
(844) 368-3367
Ask.eeo@dot.ca.gov
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.
Important Application Instructions:
The State application (STD. 678) is required, and each section must be filled out completely and thoroughly. For mailed or hand delivered applications to be considered for this position, the Job Control number (JC-529100), PARF# 04-26-0616 and title of the position (Transportation Engineering Technician) must be included on the STD. 678 form.
Electronic applications through your CalCareers account are highly recommended and encouraged.
Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications based on possession of EDUCATION, LICENSE, OR CERTIFICATE must include a copy of your DEGREE/TRANSCRIPTS, LICENSE, or CERTIFICATE, along with your State application (STD. 678), to be considered for this position.
NOTE: Do not submit the "Equal Employment Opportunity" questionnaire (page 5) with your completed State application (STD. 678). This page is for examination use only. Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for this job vacancy, such as your state application, 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, birth date, driver's license number, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. The job application packet checklist is not required to apply for this position. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application not being considered for this position.
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 wi