GETTING A JOB WITH THE COUNTY OF SONOMA

EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COUNTY...

The County of Sonoma Human Resources Department is the starting point for jobs in the County of Sonoma classified civil service, and for jobs in the Sonoma County Water Agency, Fairgrounds, Open Space District, Community Development Commission, and Economic Development Board.  This brochure will help you understand the civil service hiring process. 

 The civil service ordinance requires that jobs be filled by someone who has demonstrated his or her qualifications for the job through competitive examination.  You will compete with other applicants at all stages of the exam process, so it is important to understand the exam process.

• FINDING OUT ABOUT RECRUITMENTS
• THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
• THE EXAMINATION PROCESS
• THE APPLICATION APPRAISAL
• THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
• EXAM SCHEDULING
• THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION PROCESS
• THE ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION
• EXAMINATION RESULTS
• GETTING TO A HIRING INTERVIEW
• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
• MEDICAL EXAMINATION
• PROBATIONARY PERIOD

FINDING OUT ABOUT RECRUITMENTS...

Human Resources Department Bulletin Board: Job announcements for our current recruitments are posted in our office.

24-Hour Job Hotline -  (707) 565-2803: Call our  24-hour job hotline and listen to a recorded listing of our current recruitments.  The hotline is updated on Tuesdays and Fridays at 5:00 p.m.

Press Democrat: Look for our block ad in the Classifieds on Sunday.             

Website: Job information is available on Sonoma County's website -

www.sonoma-county.org

If you want a job announcement and application, visit or call our office -

(707) 565-2331, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., OR apply on-line!

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THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT...

READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT FROM BEGINNING TO END!  It contains important information about the job, the requirements to qualify, and the selection procedure.  It may also include additional information you MUST provide, such as DMV reports, answers to supplemental questionnaires, copies of licenses, etc.  If requested, turn this material in WITH your application or you may be disqualified.

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THE EXAMINATION PROCESS...

The job announcement indicates the type(s) of examination (and may include tentative test dates or

areas to be tested) under the "Selection Procedure."  Exams are designed to identify the best qualified candidates from among those who apply.  Typical types of exams include:

• Competitive Application Appraisal (Including Supplemental Questionnaires)                 
• Written Tests
• Oral Interview Examinations

Exam components may be combined and weighted differently for each examination.

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THE APPLICATION APPRAISAL

Your application could be the most important part of the process! Typically, a screening panel will evaluate your application to determine who will be invited to the next step of the process.  PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION VERY CAREFULLY.  Be sure to fill out every section that applies to you.  A neat and complete application form makes it easier for reviewers to evaluate your qualifications. If you are returning a paper application, you may attach a résumé but you must still complete the entire application.  Your application will first be reviewed to ensure that your work experience and educational background meet the minimum qualifications for the position.  Read the "Minimum Qualifications" section of the job announcement, and be sure to indicate clearly the related experience and training you possess.  Credit cannot be given for information you do not provide! Incomplete information may result in disqualification during the application appraisal.  READ AND FOLLOW the instructions at the top of the "Employment History" page of the application form.  Remember to sign your name!

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THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Read the job announcement to determine if you are required to complete a supplemental questionnaire.  Answers to the questionnaire are used to identify the best qualified candidates from among those applicants who meet the minimum requirements. If you do not include answers to a required supplemental questionnaire or provide incomplete information, you will be disqualified during the application appraisal.

Answer each question thoroughly and separately.  The person(s) reviewing your application will NOT "read into your answers" any more information than you provide.  Do not combine answers or write "See résumé."  Give specific details, clearly describing your relevant training and experience.   Before responding to a question that asks you to link your experience to the job, it's important that you know what the job requires, and identify the skills needed to be successful.  Review the description of the position and consider any relevant experience you might have. You must make the connection between experience and skills asked about in the supplemental questionnaire and your own skills and work experience.  Be sure that the work experience you refer to in answering the supplemental questionnaire is also included in the employment history portion of the application.

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EXAM SCHEDULING

If your application is accepted to participate in an examination process, you will be

notified by mail of the exact date, time and location of the test.  Often test dates are published in the job announcement.  Check the announcement for any scheduled dates and make a note of them.  Report all changes of address and telephone number to the Human Resources Department immediately.  If it has been several weeks since the application filing deadline, and you haven't received your notice, contact the Human Resources Department.

Sometimes the job announcement tells you to bring your completed application to a scheduled examination--if so, follow the instructions on the announcement.

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THE WRITTEN EXAMINATION PROCESS

Written examinations usually include multiple choice and true/false items. It's natural to experience nervousness before taking a test.  The best way to overcome that nervousness is to properly prepare yourself to take the exam.  Check the job announcement for a description of the areas covered by the test.  If these are not listed on the job announcement, call the Human Resources Department and ask to speak to the analyst conducting the exam.  The County does not provide sample tests, but there are civil service test preparation books published which give help on test taking, and provide practice tests for specific areas.  These are available at public libraries, or for sale in bookstores.

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THE ORAL INTERVIEW EXAMINATION

The oral examination is one of the most frequently used methods of testing.  It often counts as your entire final score. The questions asked will cover a variety of job-related knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences, so you should have your thoughts well-organized before you come to the oral examination.  The following suggestions will help you prepare yourself:

• Read the job announcement carefully to get a clear picture of the job.
• Be prepared to present your qualifications as well as you can in the time available.
• LISTEN to the questions, and answer what is asked.  If you are not sure what the question requires, it's OK to ask for clarification.
• Be yourself. The interviewers understand you may be nervous and will be left with the best impression if you act naturally.
• Unless specifically requested, don't bring extra résumés, work evaluations, letters of recommendation, or other documents relating to your proficiency or character. (Save these for a hiring interview later if you are successful in the process.)

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EXAMINATION RESULTS...

You will receive a results notice from the Human Resources Department after participating in each step of the process.  All candidates who are successful in all steps of the examination process are placed on an "eligible list."   You will be given a final exam score and your standing (ranking) on the eligible list.  The highest score achieved is ranked #1 and so on.  More than one person may have the same standing, if they have the same exam score.

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GETTING TO A HIRING INTERVIEW...

The County of Sonoma's civil service rules require a "certification of three standings".  This means that for a single vacancy, the candidates with the three highest standings on the eligible list are sent to the department with the vacancy for a hiring interview. Additional standings may be sent for multiple vacancies. Some positions have specific criteria (i.e., shift work, bilingual, etc.), which are not part of the exam process.  In such cases, the three highest standings who meet the criteria are sent for an interview.  If your name is sent, you will receive a letter from the Human Resources Department directing you who to call for an interview.  After interviewing,  the hiring department will notify the candidates of the results of the interviews.  If you are not selected for a position, you will continue to be sent to departments as vacancies occur-unless you do not call the department by the date on your notification letter, refuse a job offer, or fail to appear for an interview.  Your name will be removed from the eligible list due to any of these actions. Also, if you don't want to be considered for a specific position, you must follow the waiver instructions in the notification letter, or you will be removed from the eligible list.  If you waive three job opportunities, you will be removed from the eligible list.  If you are still on the eligible list when a new recruitment is announced for the job class, you should plan to re-apply.

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 BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION...

You are required to sign a waiver allowing a check into your employment and personal history.  The background check may include: criminal and civil filings, verification of addresses/ social security/driving history/relevant professional license or certification/ education/employment history, and reference checks.  Sometimes credit history, and information related to bankruptcy, liens, and financial judgements is also required.  Failure to sign the waiver means that you will not be considered further.

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MEDICAL EXAMINATION...

As a last step before employment, you must complete a medical examination conducted

by a county physician.  You must meet the medical standards for the specific position you have been offered.  Drug and alcohol testing is also conducted as part of the medical screening.  Do not quit your present position before passing the medical exam.

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PROBATIONARY PERIOD...

For all jobs, there is trial period called a "probationary period" when the newly-hired employee's work performance and "fit" for the job will be evaluated. This period is usually 6 months.  An employee may be dismissed during probation without the right to a civil service appeal.