As a potential applicant for employment, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain qualified candidates to fill County positions, examinations are generally administered to each applicant. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways, yet they share a common purpose - to test applicants for knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job. County policy provides for reasonable accommodation, when needed, for otherwise qualified applicants with disabilities. Please advise the Human Resources Office of any special testing site needs at least three working days in advance of the examination.

The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:

Basis
Examination
Eligible Lists
Medical Evaluation/Examination
Pre-Employment Requirements
Appointment
Probationary Period
Driver's License
Public Employee Oath

Basis
Recruitment may be conducted on an "open" basis (open to anyone who qualifies) or may be restricted to County employees only.

Examination
Applicants who meet the qualification standards may be further screened.  Those who are successful in the screening process are notified by mail to take an examination which may include a written, oral, performance, or a combination of examinations.  If there is more than one part to an examination, a candidate must be successful on each preceding part to be allowed to compete in the next part.  The number of candidates allowed to compete in successive parts of examinations may be limited to a specific number of candidates with the highest scores on the preceding examinations.

Eligible Lists
Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of scores, of applicants who have passed the examination process.  As vacancies occur, the names available at that time are submitted (certified) to the employing department.  That department interviews and makes a selection.  The other names are returned to the list for consideration of future vacancies for that position.  Normally, a minimum of five names are submitted for one vacancy.

Medical Evaluation/Examinations
A pre-employment medical evaluation, which may include a urine drug screen, is required of all applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment.  Applicants in certain job classifications will also be required to complete a medical examination, which may include a psychological examination.  The evaluation/examination(s) is administered at the County's expense.  Candidates are cautioned not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical evaluation/examination(s) has been completed and passed.

Pre-Employment Requirements
If you receive a conditional offer of employment from Kings County, you will be required to successfully complete several pre-employment requirements, which may include a urine drug screen and a medical evaluation.  In addition, some positions require the completion of a physical examination, a psychological examination, and a thorough background investigation, including a fingerprint check.

Appointment
All new employees are required to sign various forms related to County employment, and must verify identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing proper documentation within 72 hours of employment as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Probationary Period
Employees serve a probationary period ranging from six months to one year prior to being considered "permanent".  An employee may be terminated without recourse during the probationary period.

Driver's License
A valid, appropriate California driver's license may be required in some positions.  An employee may be required to furnish and use his/her own automobile in the course of employment.  If so, there will be compensation at an established mileage reimbursement rate.

Public Employee Oath
The California State Constitution requires that all public employees, before performing their duties, take and sign an oath or affirmation to support, defend, and bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitutions of the United States and the State of California.  California law also requires that all public employees be declared disaster service workers, and as such, may be assigned disaster service activities during natural, manmade, or war-caused emergencies.

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision or procedure described herein may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.