Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the County of El Dorado Human Resources Department. We work to provide
quality human resource services to attract, develop, motivate, and retain a skilled workforce
within a supportive environment. By taking a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the
following frequently asked questions and answers, you will be better informed about the
County’s job application, recruitment, selection, and hiring process.

Application Process

What kinds of jobs are available with the County of El Dorado?

The County has more than 1,800 employees working in over 500 classifications. Employees work in locations all over the County, and there are jobs in every major professional group and in all trades, such as healthcare, law and justice, science, human services, and construction and trades.

How do I apply?

All current employment opportunities are listed at Job Opportunities | County of El Dorado. If you click on any job title, the announcement for that job classification will appear. The first time you apply for a job, you will create an online account that includes a unique username and password. You may also use this account to apply for future job openings. You will apply online by clicking on the job title you are interested in and then clicking on the "Apply" link.

Click on the link below to watch a tutorial on how to apply. Video

What if I forgot my username and/or password to Governmentjobs.com

Click on the “Sign-in” link in the top right-hand corner of the Jobs - County of El Dorado page. There is a link for “Forgot Username” and “Reset Password”. Both links will require the email address used when you signed up for the account. Once you enter your email address, your user name and/or password will be sent to you by email.

Who do I call about a problem with NEOGOV/Government Jobs?

Please call NEOGOV/Government Jobs directly: (855) 524-5627 Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST.

How will I receive notifications about my application?

You will receive notifications via the email you provided on your application. If your contact information changes at any time, you can update it in your master profile.

How can I get notified of future job openings that I am interested in?

You can register online to receive email notifications when jobs are posted for recruitment. Go to Job Interest Card El Dorado County. Select “Job Interest Card” from the Menu, select categories of interest and click on the “Subscribe” button. You will be notified via email when jobs are posted that match your checked interests.

Click on the link below to watch a tutorial on the Job Interest Card process. Video

If I want to apply for more than one job, do I have to submit more than one application?

Yes, you must submit a separate employment application for each job you are interested in. There is no limit to the number of jobs for which you can apply.

My resume includes all the information you should need. Can I just submit my resume and a cover letter to apply to a job opening?

No. You must submit a completed County of El Dorado employment application for each job you wish to apply. You must also complete and submit any additional information listed on the job bulletin, such as required supplemental questions. You may attach a resume and cover letter; however, the information on a resume cannot substitute for the completed application.

How does the Department of Human Resources determine if I qualify for a job?

The Department of Human Resources will review your employment application to determine if the experience and education listed meet the minimum requirements listed on the job bulletin. It is very important to include all requested information and all prior work experience that applies.

What are the most common reasons why an applicant may get a “Rejection” notice?

If the applicant does not provide enough detail about their work experience and duties in the Work Experience section on their employment application to determine their qualifications, their application is likely to be rejected. For example, if applying for Equipment Mechanic, writing “5 years as a mechanic at Ford” does not provide enough detail about the duties you performed in that job. Writing, “As a mechanic at the Ford dealership, I performed equipment diagnostics, and was in charge of maintenance and repair of heavy and light equipment such as trucks, tractors, graders, and caterpillars” provides more information about the duties performed and enough information to assess and compare your experience against the minimum qualifications.

What employment types do the County Offer?

Full-time: any regular position allocated by the Board of Supervisors that requires 80 working hours per pay period
Part-time: any regular position allocated by the Board of Supervisors that requires less than 80 working hours per pay period
Extra Help: an unclassified, at-will position that is usually short term in nature and often entails working 28 hours or less per week
Limited Term: position allocated by the Board of Supervisors to accomplish a specific project which will last six months or more. Generally these are grant related positions.

Recruitment and Examination Process

How do I find out about the job duties, requirements, and type of examination(s)?

The job posting will list the salary, job duties, and requirements you must fulfill to qualify for advancement to the next step of the recruitment and selection process. The job bulletin will also list the type of examination(s) which may be given and the date by which applications must be submitted.

What kind of examination(s) will I have to take?

The selection process is conducted in various ways, depending on the number of qualified applicants, and the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for the job. The examination process may consist of one or more of the following and is used to assess and rank candidates:

Supplemental Questionnaire: A supplemental questionnaire consists of questions designed to elicit specific information regarding an applicant’s experience, education, and training needed to perform a job. In this examination component, a subject matter expert will review and rate responses to these questions. Each answer on a supplemental questionnaire will be scored separately.

Written Examination: A written exam may consist of the following: multiple choice questions, true/false questions, short answer questions, or essay response questions. Written examinations are typically timed.

Structured Oral Examination: A structured oral examination may feel similar to a job interview; however, the questions asked are designed to determine a candidate’s knowledge, skills, and abilities. The candidate’s responses are scored against pre- determined rating criteria.

Performance Examination: A performance examination is used to evaluate a candidate’s skills or abilities in performing certain tasks. Examples of performance exams include: physical agility tests, welding tests, equipment operating tests, computer skills tests, or software knowledge tests.

What are Supplemental Questions?

The supplemental questionnaire is used to assess an applicant’s experience, education, and training in job-related areas. Responses to the supplemental questionnaire, if required, may be scored as part of the application screening process. It is important that responses be as complete and detailed as possible. Applicants who fail to respond to supplemental questions may be eliminated from the recruitment process.

Do I have to complete all of the fields in the employment application and answer all of the Supplemental Questions?

Applicants are required to complete all the application fields, including listing all relevant work experience and job duties in the employment application and provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. Failure to do so may result in a lower rating or disqualification. Be specific when responding to questions. Do not respond with "see resume" or “see above.” This will result in no score on that response. The subject matter experts reviewing your responses cannot see your resume and are only scoring your responses to the supplemental questions.

How do I prepare for an examination when it is required? What do I study?

All examinations are job-related and test job-related knowledge, skills and abilities required on the job classification. To prepare, read the job posting, then study the material you feel would relate to the necessary knowledge, skills, or abilities. For example, if two of the requirements for a job classification are performing mathematical calculations and interpreting regulations, some of the exam questions may cover math and reading comprehension. Click here for examination prep guilde.

What happens after I take an examination?

You will be notified via email of your examination results. The notification will include your score and if you passed or failed the examination step. If you pass all phases of the recruitment and selection process, you will be placed on an eligibility list in order of your final score. The top ranks on the eligibility list will be certified to the department for consideration

Do I get extra points if I am a veteran?

Yes, when there is an open recruitment (i.e., open to the public) and you pass all phases of the recruitment and selection process, the County of El Dorado gives veterans preference points. You must provide a copy of your DD214 and a copy of your disability award letter showing additional points for disabilities, if applicable.

What is an eligibility list and how long is the eligibility list in effect?

An eligibility list is a list of applicants who a) meet the minimum requirements of a job classification, and b) passed the County of El Dorado’s recruitment and selection process for that specific classification. Candidates are placed on an eligibility list in order of their ranking based on the examination(s) taken. Candidates are usually certified to the hiring department for interviews from this list (in rank order) in bands of five. If someone from the top five is not hired, departments can opt to interview the next highest-ranking applicants from the list and so forth. The lifespan of the eligibility list is normally three (3) months; however, an eligibility list may be extended or exhausted from the initial expiration date of three (3) months with approval from the Director of Human Resources.

I received an email telling me my name was certified to the department and my application was referred for an interview. When will the Department or Human Resources contact me for an interview?

Once the eligibility list is certified to the department for interviews, the Department of Human Resources is not always aware of the interview scheduling. While most candidates are contacted via email within a matter of days, there are circumstances where it may be weeks before you receive an email inviting you to schedule an interview. Check your emails often as the County primarily uses email to contact candidates to schedule interviews. If you have changed your email address at any time during the recruitment and selection process, or you have had a change of phone number, you should notify Human Resources immediately.

I went through the recruitment process and had my interview with the department. Can you tell me if the recruitment is still open or when I will be notified?

The Department of Human Resources will notify all candidates via email once a hiring decision is made by the hiring department.

How long does the recruitment process take?

The recruitment process can range from two weeks to four months depending on the job classification and the complexity of the recruitment and selection process. If you are not chosen in your first attempt, don’t be discouraged! Keep applying for jobs that you’re interested in.