How Do I Find Out About County Jobs?

King 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” button.  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. 

Most County positions are advertised in the Hanford Sentinel usually on Sunday. We also advertise in other local and regional newspapers. 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” button, then search for the class you are interested in, clink on the link “email me when this position opens.”  Or you can complete a general category interest request by clicking on the "Job Interest Card" button on the left menu bar. You will be notified by email when the position you are interested in opens for recruitment.

How Do I Apply for Job Openings?

When recruitment opens, 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 online, simply scroll down on the “Job Openings” page and click the title of the posting 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 us in determining your abilities, skills, experience and knowledge 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 applicant being SCREENED OUT from further consideration.

Submit your application on-line, in person at the Human Resources Office or by mail.  However you chose to file, applications must be received by the 5:00 p.m. on the filing date, (postmarks or faxed applications are not accepted).  Completed applications must be in our hands by the deadline.  Please retain a copy of your application and all attachments.  We will not copy or return applications or submitted materials to candidates.  All statements on the completed application materials are subject to verification.

After you’ve submitted your application, it will be screened by Human Resources staff to determine if the minimum qualifications have been met.  You will be notified by mail regarding the status of you application, usually within two weeks of the closing date of the recruitment.  The notice will tell you if you have been invited to the next step in the recruitment process.

Veterans Preference

To claim veteran’s preference you must complete a "Veteran's Preference Application" and request verteran's preference on the Kings County application by checking the yes box (question # 11). Online applicants must mail or deliver in person, a certified copy of your most recent form, DD214, or equivalent document acceptable to Human Resources, as evidence of military service on or before the final filing date for the recruitment.   Veteran’s preference must be established separately for each recruitment.  Failure to request veteran’s preference on the application or to submit the required credentials (DD-214) prior to the final filing date for the recruitment will be deemed a waiver of veteran’s preference.

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, including 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.

The Employment Process

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

Recruitment may be conducted on an "open" basis (open to anyone that 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 parts of examination.

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/Examination

A pre-employment medical evaluation, including 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.

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 6 months to one year prior to being considered "permanent".  An employee may be terminated without recourse during the probationary period.

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.