How Do I Find Out About County Jobs?
How Do I Apply for Job Openings?
About The Interview Process
What Happens in the Interview?
How Are Qualifications Rated?
Can I Fail the Oral Examination?
When Will Results Be Issued?
Suggestions About the Interview
What if I Move?
Competitve Rating Factors
How Do I Find Out About County Jobs?
Kings County only accepts applications for positions that are currently open. Job bulletins are posted for current openings throughout the week and filing deadlines vary for each recruitment. The best way to find out about current recruitments is to click on the "Job Openings" link. It will take you to the on-line listing of current job openings where you can browse job bulletins and descriptions. When you find a job you're interested in apply on-line.
Applications are also available at the Kings County Human Resources Department, 1400 West Lacey Boulevard in Hanford. Flyers are posted in the Human Resources lobby and you can request an application at the reception desk. If you are located out of the Hanford area, call our office line at (559) 582-3211, extension 2510 and we will mail you an application. You can also call our 24-Hour Job Hotline (559) 583-7631 to listen to a recorded message. Job bulletins are also mailed to local junior colleges, trade schools, community organizations and other government agencies.
If our current job openings do not include positions you are interested in at this time, you may complete a job interest notification request. You can request job notification by specific job titles. To do so, click on "Job Descriptions", then search for the position you are interested in, click the link "email me when this position opens" located at the top of the job specification. Or you can complete a general category interest request by clicking on the "Job Interest Card" on the left menu bar. You will be notified by email when the position(s) you are interested in opens for recruitment.
How Do I Apply for Job Openings?
When recruitments open, a job bulletin is developed and posted on the County web site. The bulletin lists the title of the position, the salary range, the closing date (if established), a description of the position, and the minimum requirements necessary in order to qualify for participation in the recruitment. Please take the time to read the job bulletin carefully. In addition to any education and/or work experience requirements, some positions require certain licenses and/or certifications. Veteran's preference applications are available upon request.
To apply on-line, simply scroll down on the "Job Openings" page and click the title of the postion you are interested in and click on the "Apply" link. Instructions on each screen will guide you through the application process.
You must submit a separate application for each job posting. Applicants must provide sufficient information in the education and/or work experience portion of the application to determine qualifications. A resume cannot be accepted in place of a County application; however, resumes may be attached to an application as additional material.
Some positions require supplemental information. If a supplemental questionnaire is required, be sure you respond to ALL questions. These questions will assist in determining your knowledge, skills, abilities and experience related to the position. Your answers may also be used as part of the testing or rating process.
An incomplete application and/or supplemental questionnaire will result in the application being SCREENED OUT from further consideration.
About the Interview Process
The oral examination, or more simply, your job interview, is a critical part of the County's recruitment and selection process. The Oral Interview Panel selected by the County will evaluate your knowledge, skills and abilities by evaluating how well you answer the job related questions you will be asked.
The interview panel is generally comprised of three members. The panel represents the County and each member is experienced in his or her field. The panel will conduct the interview according to standards prescribed by the County's merit system. In addition to the panel members, a representative from Human Resources may be present, however he or she does not participate in the scoring process.
The County will provide reasonable accommodation 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.
What Happens In the Interview
As you enter the interview room, the panel members will introduce themselves and give you a chance to get settled. Appearing for an interview is not something that happens every day; it is natural to feel a bit apprehensive. One of the panel members will give you a brief introduction to the process that they will be following.
Perhaps it will be helpful to know that the panel's overal rating of your qualifications will not be determined by your answer to any single question. Your final score will be based on your overall presentation and your answers to all of the questions asked. The education and experience as described on your application and any supplemental application materials are used to evaluate your minimum qualifications for entry in to the examination, and may be considered by the panel in their overall rating.
Sometimes the panel will ask you follow-up questions that you may consider challenging or that probe deeper into your knowledge of the issue being discussed. You should welcome such questions for two reasons. First, when a panel member probes deeper, you have an opportunity to correct a possible misunderstanding of a previous answer or to supply additional information. Second, the questions may give you clues to the areas you may wish to strengthen for a possible future examination and for your success in general.
It is not necessary for you to furnish letters of recommendation or other documents relating to your proficiency or character. Those documents are more appropriate for a hiring decision interview with the department.
How Qualifications Are Rated
After you leave the interview room, the panel will review and evaluate your responses to the questions and how well you presented yourself.
In order to give uniform consideration to all competitors, the panel will use competitive rating factors relevant to the duties and requirements of the job you are applying for. Different factors are used for different types of work, depending on the job requirements or the knowledge, skills and abilities considered essential to do the job. The rating factors most frequently applied are shown elsewhere in this brochure. When appropriate, additional competitive rating factors may be added. For example, a written exercise may be given to determine writing skills. If you have applied in a bilingual recruitment you may be tested on your bilingual skills, both written and verbal.
Ratings will be based on relevant job-related factors without consideration for race, color, religion, gender, age, ancestry, sexual orientation, disability, past or present military status, career credits, or any other non-job-related factors.
Each panel member will rate each candidate independently. The scores will then be averaged and you will be assigned a numerical rating. If you are among the top five rated candidates, you will be contacted for a second interview by the hiring department when they are ready to fill their vacancy.
In Case of Disqualification
If one or more panel members determine that a candidate has not demonstrated the qualifications that meet the competitive standards for the job, the panel member is instructed to assign the applicant a failing score of 69%.
A disqualifying score does not necessarily mean that you could not do the job. It could mean that you did not effectively communicate your ability to do the job. If disqualified, you may contact Human Resources for information that may assist you in preparing for the position and/or performing better on your future oral examinations.
When Results Will Be Issued
Unless you are expressly notified otherwise, examination results are not given over the phone; please do not call the Human Resources Office to find out how you scored in the interview. Results of your examination will be mailed to you, usually within five to ten working days after the conclusion of the interview process.
The results will indicate your placement on the eligible list or disqualification. As stated earlier, if you are among the top five rated candidates, you will be contacted for a second interview by the hiring department. Depending on the department's schedule you may not hear from the department for several days.
Suggestions About the Interview
Job Announcement
You should review the recruitment flyer or the job specification (available upon request) to obtain a clear picture of the requirements and duties of the position.
A Structured Interview
The County uses a structured interview format, which means that the panel will ask questions from a prepared list so that each candidate is asked the same questions in the same order. There is a pre-established time limit for each interview in a somewhat formal interview setting. This process does not allow for a lot of give-and-take between the panel and the candidate, and is not intended to allow for questions from the candidate.
Listen carefully to each question. Be prepared to speak clearly and concisely so that your answers demonstrate to the panel that you have the level of knowledge, skills and abilities needed for success on the job.
Dress Appropriately
Remember, appearance does make an impression. Dress appropriately for an interview for the position you are seeking. Wearing jeans and/or a tee shirt to your interview is not normally appropriate. Clothing should be clean, neat and in good condition. Limit jewelry and perfumes. Turn of your cell phone or pager.
The Interview Panel is there to find the most qualified people to recommend to the hiring department for consideration. Take the interview seriously; make eye contact with the panel members, even if they are busy taking notes during your answers to the questions.
Change of Address
If your address or contact phone number(s) change during the recruitment process or while you are on an eligibility list, contact the Human Resources Office immediately at 559-582-3211, extension 2510.
Competitive Rating Factors
Listed are the general rating factors most frequently applied in the oral examination process. For certain classifications, additional factors may be used which reflect specialized requirements of the job.
- KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Understanding of knowledge, skills and abilities of the job as described on the recruitment flyer or the job specification.
- INTERPERSONAL SKILLS: Ability to interact appropriately with others; tact; poise and communication skills.
- SELF-DEVELOPMENT: Education or training obtained; developmental assignments; career progress.
- SUPERVISION: For supervisory positions:
a. Knowledge of leadership styles; employer-employee relations; organizational goals; management techniques, etc.
b.
Ability to plan, organize and lead; ability to understand questions asked and to respond appropriately; knowledge of planning techniques, etc.
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