HOW TO GET A JOB
Frequently Asked Questions
701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060
Watsonville Office:
1430 Freedom Blvd, Suite 101, Watsonville, CA, 95076
(831) 454-2600
TDD: (831) 454-2123
www.santacruzcountyjobs.com
Santa Cruz County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
When can I file an employment application?
The County of Santa Cruz only accepts applications for current job openings. A list of current openings is available for your review on our website at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com, and is also posted outside of the Personnel Department and in the basement of 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz. The County provides a 24-hour job line that can be reached by calling (831) 454-2151.How do I find out more about a specific job?
A job bulletin is created for each job opening. These bulletins are available from the Personnel Department and include information regarding the salary, benefits, job duties, minimum qualifications required, the type(s) of examination(s) to be given, and the final filing date (the last day applications for that job will be accepted). Applications will meet the final filing date if received: 1) in the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) Submitted online by midnight of the final filing date.It is important that you obtain a bulletin for each job you choose to apply. Supplemental applications, if required, are attached to the job bulletins. You may apply for as many jobs as you choose. However, a separate application must be submitted for each.
It is recommended that applicants make a copy of their application before it
is submitted. The Personnel Department will not return originals nor make copies
of any materials once it is submitted.
How do I determine if I qualify for the job?
The minimum qualifications for the position are listed on the job bulletin.
Read these requirements carefully. Minimum qualifications may include college
coursework, a specific amount of experience, a license or certificate, or
skills, knowledge and abilities in a specific field. You should be able to
determine whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications. If you are not
sure, submit your application and the Personnel Department will determine this.
How does the Personnel Department determine if I qualify for the job?
The Personnel Analyst reviews your application and any other material
required. These other materials may include a supplemental application designed
for that position, a list of college classes, or a statement of qualifications.
It is very important that everything about you--your education, experience (paid
or volunteer), licenses, certificates, and special skills be submitted on the
application so that the Personnel Analyst can make the correct decision. If all
information is not provided, your application will be disqualified. If you feel
that you meet the minimum qualifications, but receive a rejection notice,
contact the Personnel Department within 7 days to initiate a review.
What kind of examination will I have to take?
The type(s) of examination(s) given are listed on the job bulletin. They may
consist of one, or any combination of the following: a written, an oral,
performance, bilingual skills, assessment center, or rating of training and
experience shown on your application. The topics which will be covered in the
examination and weights of each exam are listed on the job bulletin.
Notification will be mailed to you regarding when and where the examination will
be given.
If you feel that you have physical limitations that would require special
testing accommodations, please contact the Employment Services Division of the
Personnel Department within 48 hours of the examination at (831) 454-2600.
What happens after I take the examination?
Those applicants who pass the examination(s) are placed on an eligible list
in order of overall score. Notification of examination results will be mailed to
you approximately two weeks after the examination. If you were successful in the
examination process, this notification will include your overall score, your
rank and the eligibility expiration date on the eligible list. Those applicants
who fail the examination will also receive notification by mail. The top ten
names on the eligible list are referred to County departments for each permanent
position. The departments schedule final selection interviews and notify
candidates of the results of these interviews.
Unless you are otherwise notified, your name will remain on the eligible list
for a minimum of six (6) months and a maximum of one (1) year. If the eligible
list is abolished before the one year, you will be notified by mail.
What should I do if called for a selection interview?
Remember that the selection interview is your opportunity to demonstrate to
the department that you are the best person for the job. The following tips may
help: review the job bulletin and your application in order to familiarize
yourself with the position and with how your qualifications match those required
of the position; conduct practice interviews with a friend (or a tape-recorder);
be prompt; dress appropriately; if the interviewer does not thoroughly explain
the job, ask for an explanation of duties; ask about training to be provided,
and ask when you will be notified of the department's decision.
What happens when I am hired?
If a department offers you a position, the following topics should be
discussed: Starting salary; orientation/physical examination appointment; and,
what your first day of work will be.
Appointment to a position is contingent upon passing a medical examination. The County of Santa Cruz provides this examination at no expense to you.
When you are selected, your name is automatically removed from the eligible
list for that job classification. Your name will remain on other eligible lists
for other classifications for which you may have applied.
What if I am not selected?
Our objective is to hire the best person for the job, so competition is
keen. If you are not successful in getting a job right away, your name remains
on the eligible list until the list expires. If you are not hired during the
life of the eligible list, you may re-apply when a new recruitment for that
position opens.
How do I find out if I am still on the eligible list?
You may request information regarding your status on the eligible list by
submitting your request in writing to the Employment Services Division of the
Personnel Department. Information given to you will be the status, expiration
date and your rank. To insure you are notified for job opportunities, please
notify the Personnel Department of any address or phone number changes, either
by phone or mail.
How do I find out about other positions that are not currently open?
The County of Santa Cruz accepts applications or resumes only when a
recruitment is open. If you did not see the position you are interested in on
this weeks job listing, you can have your name placed in the Job
Interest System to be notified when the recruitment opens.
First, check the Job Classification Schematic Listing for the exact title and class code for the position or positions you are interested in. Then complete the Job Interest Form.
You will be notified when a recruitment opens for positions you have listed on your Job Interest Form. Once the recruitment has opened, you will receive an application packet in the mail.
Your name will remain in the Job Interest System until you are notified of a recruitment. If you have a change of address, please notify the Personnel Department immediately.
The Job Interest System is maintained as a convenience to applicants. To have an application accepted for any position, a complete application packet must be submitted during the published recruitment period for that position.