Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Redding is a great place to work. Our dedicated, well-trained employees are always looking for new ways to serve the public and involve them in City programs, services and decisions. Applicants for City positions often ask the following questions. The answers below should assist you in the application process with the City of Redding.
What types of jobs are available through the City of Redding?
How will I know if a job is open for recruitment?
The job I am interested in is not currently open. When will you be recruiting?
What is an Interest Card?
I'm not sure if I'm qualified. What can I do?
How does the Personnel Department determine if I qualify for the position?
Must I live within the City limits to apply for a job with the City of Redding?
What do I do with my employment application?
If I want to apply for more than one position, do I have to file more than one employment application?
How often can I apply for the same position?
If I submit a resume, do I still need to complete the City of Redding application?
Do I need to submit anything other than the application?
Can I submit my employment application via the Internet?
How do I find out about the job duties, requirements, and examinations?
What kind of examination will I have to take?
How do I qualify to participate in the examination process?
How do I prepare for the testing process? What do I study?
What happens after I take the examination?
What should I do if I am called for an interview?
How long is the eligibility list in effect?
Does the City grant Veterans Preference points?
Where do I get a typing certificate?
Where do I get a Department of Motor Vehicles printout?
Why does the City department with the vacancy conduct the selection interview instead of the Personnel Department?
What happens if I am selected?
Are City employees represented by a union?
How does the City treat smoking by employees?
What if I am not selected or interviewed?
Will the City make an accommodation for me if I am a qualified person with a disability?
What types of jobs are available through the City of Redding?
The City of Redding has about 310 job titles and approximately 850 full-time and 250 part-time and temporary employees. We have entry-level, paraprofessional, craft/trades, technical, professional, and managerial positions, as well as careers in law enforcement and the fire service. Employees work in locations throughout the City. The City accepts applications for specific job classifications and then establishes eligibility lists. The eligibility lists are used to fill jobs throughout the City. All departments select applicants from the eligibility lists.
How will I know if a job is open for recruitment?
The City of Redding has a Job Hotline, (530) 225-4069. This 24-hour recording lists all jobs currently being recruited for and is updated daily as necessary. The Job Hotline allows you to leave your name and address if you would like to have a job announcement and application mailed to you. Recruitments are also listed on our website and are advertised in the classified section of the Record Searchlight, our local newspaper, in addition to being posted in the Personnel Department located on the 2nd floor of City Hall at 777 Cypress Avenue.
The job I am interested in is not currently open. When will you be recruiting?
Recruitments are conducted and posted on an as-needed basis. Besides watching for newspaper ads and checking our website, you can also find out when a recruitment is posted by completing an Interest Card.
What is an Interest Card?
If you are interested in a position that is not currently open, you may submit an Interest Card. The City of Redding retains your Interest Card for a period of one year. If the job you are interested in opens up within one year, you will automatically be notified via U.S. Mail. Interest Cards may be completed at the Personnel Department or by calling (530) 225-4065.
I'm not sure if I'm qualified. What can I do?
Each job announcement states the desired qualifications for each position. Read the requirements and qualifications carefully to match your education and/or experience, knowledge and abilities to the position requirements. The position may require college course work or graduation, a specific amount of experience, a special license or trade certificate, and a California Driver's License. Based on your qualifications, you should be able to determine whether you meet the requirements of the position. If you are still unsure, submit your application and the Personnel Department will determine whether or not you meet the requirements.
How does the Personnel Department determine if I qualify for the position?
The Personnel Department, or other qualified Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), will review your application using the criteria set forth on the job announcement. It is very important to include all requested information. List all paid work experience, licenses, professional affiliations, classes you have taken, training you have received and any other special qualifications you possess which relate to the position for which you are applying. The Personnel Department, or another qualified SME, will review all of the information you provide; however, your qualifications must be clearly stated on the application. Failure to include requested information or writing "see resume" on the application in the area of experience may result in rejection of your application. Without accurate and complete information, we will not be able to determine whether or not you meet the required qualifications for the job.
Must I live within the City limits to apply for a job with the City of Redding?
No, you do not have to live within the City limits to apply for a job, however, some positions, such as Firefighter and Lineman, do have residency requirements once hired.
What do I do with my employment application?
Applications are only accepted for positions that are open for recruitment. When a position opens that you are interested in applying for, you should obtain an employment application from the Personnel Department, or online from the website, or by calling the Job Hotline. Return all application materials to the Personnel Department either by mail (P.O. Box 496071, Redding, CA 96049-6071), in person (777 Cypress Avenue, Redding, CA 96001), or by faxing to (530) 225-4062, no later than 4:00 p.m. on the closing date, unless otherwise noted on the job announcement (postmarks may not be accepted).
Since some recruitments close quickly, it is to your advantage to submit your application early in the recruitment period.
We suggest you keep a copy of the application materials you submit and the job announcement to assist you in preparing for any written test, practical test, and/or interview process that may be required.
To obtain a City of Redding employment application, click on Employment Opportunities.
If I want to apply for more than one position, do I have to file more than one employment application?
Yes, a separate application is required for each open position you are interested in. There is no limit to the number of positions for which you can apply.
How often can I apply for the same position?
You may reapply as often as the job opportunity is announced.
If I submit a resume, do I still need to complete the City of Redding application?
Yes, all applicants must submit a City of Redding employment application, along with any other required documents listed on the job announcement, in order to be considered in the selection process. Applications must be fully completed even if a cover letter and/or resume is attached. Applications may not be considered as complete, and may be subject to rejection, if the experience section is filled out with remarks like "See Resume" or if they are not signed and dated.
Do I need to submit anything other than the application?
It varies for each position. Please read the job announcement in order to determine what must be submitted along with the application. Some job announcements require more than the application, such as a resume, certificate, supplemental questionnaire, etc. If the position you are applying for has such a requirement, the document(s) must be attached to your employment application by the final filing date in order to be considered.
Can I submit my employment application via the Internet?
At this time, we are unable to accept applications electronically.
How do I find out about the job duties, requirements, and examinations?
For open positions, please refer to the job announcement. Copies of job announcements may be obtained at the Personnel Department at 777 Cypress Avenue, online, or by calling the Job Hotline. The announcement will state the salary, job duties, requirements, examination information, and the final filing date.
What kind of examination will I have to take?
Depending on the knowledge, skills and abilities the position requires, the examination process may consist of one or more of the following:
Application evaluation
Supplemental questionnaire
Written examination
In-basket exercise
Practical examination
Physical agility examination
Assessment center
Oral board interview
How do I qualify to participate in the examination process?
Read the job announcement. Information will be included that explains the examination process. All applications are screened to determine those BEST qualified to be tested. You will be notified by mail as to whether or not your application was accepted. If your application is accepted, your letter will include examination information (date, time, place, etc.).
How do I prepare for the testing process? What do I study?
All examinations are job related and test the knowledge, skills and abilities required to do the job. To prepare, read the job announcement, then study material which you feel would directly or indirectly relate to the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities of the position. For example, if the requirements for a position are performing mathematical calculations and interpreting regulations, some of the exam questions may cover basic math skills and reading comprehension.
What happens after I take the examination?
You will be notified by mail of the examination results. If you pass all components of the examination process, your name will be placed on the eligibility list.
When there is a vacancy, the hiring supervisor will review applications and test scores of those on the eligibility list. The hiring supervisor can consider any candidate from the list and is not required to interview or select candidates in list order.
What should I do if I am called for an interview?
You will be notified of the time and place you should appear for the interview and to whom you should report to for the interview.
Since the eligibility list may be used by more than one department, the Personnel Department may not know who contacted you. It is important that you get the above information when you are contacted by the interviewing department.
Before the interview, review your copy of your application materials. These materials may include your application and/or resume as well as the job announcement. Be prepared to discuss how your training and/or work experience relate to the position for which you are interviewing. You may also want to review our Application, Examination, and Hiring Process brochure for helpful tips.
How long is the eligibility list in effect?
The life of the eligibility list varies from 6 months to 24 months, depending on the position. If you have a name, address, or phone number change, please contact the Personnel Department at (530) 225-4065 so we can update your information.
Does the City grant Veterans Preference points?
Yes. Veterans who have received an honorable discharge from the military service and receive a passing score on all components of the examination will have 2 points added to their final examination score. To obtain this credit, veterans MUST provide a copy of the DD214, indicating honorable discharge, with each employment application before the closing date.
Where do I get a typing certificate?
If a typing certificate is required for the position you are applying for, please refer to the job announcement for the typing speed requirement as well as the most up-to-date information on where to obtain a certificate.
Where do I get a Department of Motor Vehicles printout?
We do not require DMV printouts at the time of application; we may require one after a job offer has been made. If so, you can obtain an official copy of your H6 driving record from your local DMV office. We recommend you keep the original printout and provide us with a photocopy. We do not accept DMV printouts over 30 days old.
Why does the City department with the vacancy conduct the selection interview instead of the Personnel Department?
When the Personnel Department recruits and tests for vacant positions, the requirements are typically based on all the positions with the same title and general duties. However, individual vacancies may differ depending on the specific department workload. The selection or hiring interview permits the hiring supervisor to evaluate each individual's qualifications to determine how each will fit organizationally based on the needs of their department or division.
What happens if I am selected?
Conditional job offers are made contingent on passing a physical examination and/or drug test and being fingerprinted. Some positions require a polygraph exam and psychological evaluation. If you are working when selected for City employment, DO NOT QUIT YOUR JOB OR GIVE NOTICE until you have been informed that you have passed all of the employment processes.
After you have been offered and have accepted a position with the City, a start date will be agreed upon. You will be informed where and to whom you will report on your first day.
The City of Redding complies with the Immigration Control and Reform Act of 1986. If offered a position, you will be required to present identification and/or work authorization paperwork. You will be mailed a list of acceptable documents that meet this requirement. All new employees are required to complete and sign a U.S. Department of Justice Employment Eligibility form.
Are City employees represented by a union?
Most City employees are represented by a union. Employees placed in certain positions are required to join a union which represents their position or pay a service fee as a condition of employment.
How does the City treat smoking by employees?
The City has prohibited smoking in all City buildings, offices and facilities. Smoking is also prohibited in all City vehicles. Individuals employed by the Fire Department are required to be non-smokers and are required to sign a Non-Smoking Requirement Acknowledgment form as a condition of employment.
What if I am not selected or interviewed?
The City's objective is to hire the best person for the job, so competition is often keen. If you are not immediately successful in obtaining a position, your name will remain on the eligibility list for consideration. You may be considered for other vacancies that occur during the life of the list. If you do not receive a job offer during the life of the list, you must wait for another recruitment and may reapply.
Will the City make an accommodation for me if I am a qualified person with a disability?
Yes, the City is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Federal Affirmative Action Employer. This means the City does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, age, religion, gender, national origin, political affiliation or beliefs, veteran status or disability and medical condition as required by applicable federal and state laws. The City will seek to accommodate qualified persons with disabilities.
All individuals are encouraged to apply for employment with the City of Redding. Women, minorities and the disabled are encouraged to apply. Please contact the Personnel Department before the final filing date if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required before the City grants accommodation.
|
