EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: GENERAL

Part-time employees may qualify for some of the following benefits on a pro-rated basis. Please refer to specific Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) for details.

As a potential applicant, you will be participating in a process which endeavors to obtain the most qualified candidates for employment. The employment process consists of various examinations to evaluate and test fairly and objectively each applicant's education, experience, skills, knowledge and abilities for the position.

The general employment process steps are:

* Application: Each applicant is responsible for submitting an official Sonoma County employment application form with any supportive data by the date stated on this announcement. Carefully and completely filling out your application will improve your chances in the employment process. The application and all related papers and materials developed by reference checks and/or background investigation are the property of the Sonoma County and such information will not be made available to candidates. Do not submit your only copy of relevant documents as they will not be returned to you and we will not make copies for you. Be sure to indicate dates of employment and thoroughly describe your duties. Résumés may be submitted but are not acceptable as substitutes for any part of the standard or supplemental application forms. Initial evaluation of your qualifications will be based solely on these documents.

* Examination: All applications will be carefully and thoroughly evaluated for appropriate education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities and other personal qualifications which directly relate to the duties of this position. Successful candidates in the application appraisal process will be notified of subsequent examinations, such as written, oral, performance or other examinations appropriate to the duties of this position. Admission to an examination does not guarantee that you will be placed on the employment list. If requested on the application, reasonable accommodation can be made for disabled individuals.

* Promotional Examination: Promotional exams are limited to probationary and permanent employees of the County of Sonoma, the Sonoma County Fair and Exposition, the Sonoma County's Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District, the Sonoma County Water Agency, and the Community Development Commission.

* Background Checks: A pre-employment background investigation will be conducted on candidates for whom an offer of employment is being considered. A separate reference check will also be conducted.

* Eligible List: An eligible list is established after the examination is completed. The list contains the names of all applicants who have received a passing score ranked from highest to lowest score. The list is valid for a minimum of three months, but can be extended to a maximum of two years.

* Removal from Eligibility List: Candidates are subject to removal from an eligibility list if they have been certified 3 times to the same department or certified a total of 5 times to any combination of departments, as well as other reasons related to the job requirements.

* Selection: Vacancies are filled from among the top three to five standings of available candidates on the Eligible List. Names of candidates who are not selected are retained on the Eligible List for future consideration.

* Employment Eligibility Verification: Federal law requires that only United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States be employed in agency jobs. Documentation of eligibility to work in the United States will be required as a condition of employment. You must present your Social Security card and driver's license or other documents which prove your eligibility for employment in the United States.

* Loyalty Oath: Under California state law you will be required to sign a loyalty (constitutional) oath before employment.

* Medical Examination: Each applicant extended a conditional offer of employment must pass a medical exam authorized by the County (at no charge to the applicant) prior to appointment and starting to work. An attempt will be made to make reasonable accomodation for any physical disability or medical condition in compliance with applicable equal employment opportunity law. Successful candidates are cautioned NOT to terminate their present employment until the medical examination has been completed and approved.

* Drug and Alcohol Screening: Drug and alcohol screening will be conducted as part of the medical examination for initial hires and for all current employees extended a conditional offer of employment in law enforcement, probation, and drug and alcohol assignments. Any person who is referred for a medical examination and fails the drug and alcohol screening test will be declared ineligible for all County employment for a period of six (6) months. In addition, the person will be suspended from any current employment list on which he or she occupies a standing. The cost of the exam is paid by the County. However, any retesting based upon appeal is customarily paid by the applicant.

* Veteran's Preference: Veterans who have served more than six months of consecutive active service in the armed forces of the United States of America may have 5 points added to their final passing score on an open examination if proof of honorable discharge is received prior to each examination. Such evidence must be submitted for each and every examination.

* Appeal of Examination: You may appeal the results of the application appraisal or examination to the Human Resources Director. Appeals shall be in writing and delivered or postmarked within seven regular County business days after postmark of written notification of the application appraisal or examination results. Contact the Human Resources Department for additional information.

* Agency Shop: Employees hired into classes represented by the SEIU, ESC, Operating Engineers, DSA, or SCLEA union labor contracts are covered by the Agency Shop provisions which require new employees and certain others to pay an agency shop service fee in lieu of dues. That fee is generally 95% of membership dues, if the employee does not choose to join the union as a member.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL

Retirement Plan: Tax deferred contributory system under the County Retirement Act of 1937. Partially integrated with Social Security.

Vacation Leave: Permanent, full-time County employees accrue vacation at the following rates:

1-2 yrs.=10 days 2- 5 yrs.= 12 days 5-10 yrs.= 15 days
10-15 yrs.=19 days 15-20 yrs.=21 days 20-25 yrs.= 23 days
Thereafter=24 days

Sick Leave: 12 days per year with no limit on accumulation. Employees are paid 25% of accumulated sick leave upon voluntary separation or 100% credit at retirement, and may convert up to 3 days/year into cash or compensatory leave if no sick leave is taken.

Holidays: 11 paid fixed holidays per year, plus 8-11 miscellaneous floating holiday hours, granted via compensatory time off.

Insurance: Family vision care and employee long term disability plan is paid by the County. Family dental coverage available at a small employee cost per pay period. Choice of four health plans: County Self-Insured, Kaiser Permanente and two HMO plans. The County's contribution is approximately 86% of the premium for the health plan selected.

Group Term Life Insurance for the amount of $10,000 is provided at County Cost.

Tuition Reimbursement: Sonoma County provides an excellent tuition reimbursement program for
approved job-related training and educational course work.

Deferred Compensation: Two excellent deferred compensation plans with a variety of options are available. Sonoma County makes a contribution for some classes of employees. Employees may make individual contributions from salary to a 457 plan, up to the IRS annual maximum.

Child Care: Employees may participate in the tax exempt Dependent Care Assistance Program. A non-profit child care facility, licensed for 45 children two through five years of age, is located at the County Administration Center.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process, please call Human Resources at (707)565-2331.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Risk Management at (707)565-2942.

For answers to specific questions regarding retirement benefits, please call Retirement at (707) 565-1710.