I applied online. I interviewed at Caltrans (Los Angeles, CA) in Nov 2016
Interview
3 Questions and a Bonus Question. Basic questions. Got an offer. Accepted the offer, and it took about 2 weeks to start. Fairly simple and fast process. It is different from the full time positions since this job is managed by a third party company.
I applied online. I interviewed at Caltrans (Irvine, CA) in Mar 2016
Interview
It was a typical interview: "Tell me your strengths", "weaknesses", "what you know about Cal trans". The position I interviewed for was in Traffic Operations with an emphasis in assistance to the admin unit. As a civil engineering student I was a little hesitant, they wanted to know a lot about my writing skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office, especially excel. I was interviewed by two, one was an engineer and one was administrative in person. I was then called about two weeks later for a follow up phone interview with the person I ended up working for. He primarily wanted to re- go over skills I had mentioned in my in-person interview.
Of those interviewed (maybe 20ish) 5 were hired. 4 were underclassmen finishing up their first year of school, I was the only upperclassmen. The Unit really wanted people who would be able to stick around long term, I told them I was planning to do my masters so that may have affected why they chose to hire me.