What the process for getting hired by CDCR

240zRN · Sep 15, 2012

CDCR, like most correctional institutions, is a process of jumping through red tape to reach the finish line in the hiring process.

CDCR Hiring process is as follows.

1.) Take the Self Assessment and Inquiring to Vacancies on the website Prison Healthcare Career Opportunities, Apply Online

2.) Either wait for Employment Inquiries in the mail to show up listing your rank number OR Pre-emptively send your CA STD687 Formal employment application to the application receiving office, which can be found on the job listing for the specific position on the aforementioned website.

3.) Getting selected for an interview by either a letter received by mail with an already-decided date and time (usually give you about 2 weeks to prepare) OR some facilities also call to confirm you have been selected for an interview--they will give you a date and time [i prefer this method because it gives you an immediate option to negotiate times or dates)

4.) Once you interview, you typically wont hear back for another 4 weeks--this is the average time it takes for the medical department to ask Sacramento for permission to commit to filling positions based on fiscally generated numbers.

5.) Once contacted, if selected, after the average 4 week wait, you will be sent a package to do a medical clearance physical and a TB test (as usual)

6.) Most CDCR facilities will let you start as soon as you have finished medical clearance in hand, and my advice to you is to start ASAP because you will typically be hired on with others and the first person to clock in gains seniority over the others. Working for the state, you will quickly find out that your seniority score will make or break you--especially during shaky financial times.

Good Luck!