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How the Application Process Works

This is a brief summary on how the Unified Personnel System application, examination and employment process works:

• All permanent classified positions are filled by selection from an eligible register based on a merit system examination.
  
  
• Information on current recruitments is published in the Sunday edition of the St. Petersburg Times, posted on the Human Resources Department's Online Employment Center web site, at the Human Resources Department offices and recorded on the job line (phone number 727-464-3745).
  
  
• Applications, Supplemental Questionnaires and information about eligibility requirements and examinations are available in the Human Resources Department and on the Online Employment Center web site.
  
  
• If you do not have access to a computer, you may visit a local library to use a public computer. Computers are also available in both offices of the Human Resources Department between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Be sure to allow enough time to complete your application before the office closes at 5:00 p.m.
  
  
• Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires are available only when a job class is open for recruitment.
  
  
• If you are interested in employment in a job classification that is not currently open for recruitment, you may submit a job interest card through the Online Employment Center .   To do so, click on the "Job Accepting Interest Cards" link, and click on the "I’m Interested!": link to the right of the job title you have an interest in.  When the position is open for recruitment, you will receive an email instructing you to visit our web site to apply.
  
  
• If the selection procedure requires a Written Examination in addition to the Supplemental Questionnaire, you must contact the Human Resources Department to obtain a date and time for the examination prior to the "Apply By" date listed. In order to schedule your appointment you must provide your social security number. Under all circumstances, you are required to complete an online application which includes the appropriate Supplemental Questionnaire.
  
  
• Each recruitment requires each candidate to review and update, if necessary, the information contained in their application and complete a Supplemental Questionnaire.  The Supplemental Questionnaire is job specific and requests information regarding your education, training and experience as it relates to the job classification being recruited for.
  
  
• It is very important that you keep your online Application form up to date. This includes information on education, places employed, dates employed, job duties, etc. You may add a resume if you wish, but a completed application form is mandatory.
  
  
• If a job classification in which you have an interest is currently open for recruitment and the selection procedure requires a Written Examination in addition to the Supplemental Questionnaire, you must contact the Human Resources Department to obtain a date and time for the examination. In order to schedule your appointment you must provide your social security number.
  
  
• You must have a completed online Application and Supplemental Questionnaire in order to take the exam.
  
  
• If the selection procedure only requires a Supplemental Questionnaire, also known as an Unassembled Examination, you will be required to complete an online application form and a Supplemental Questionnaire, which will be evaluated and compared to an established scale.
  
  
• The Application and Supplemental Questionnaire must be completed by the “Apply By” date indicated on the “Current Job Openings” web page.
  
  
• After the examination has been graded and the grades certified, you will be notified by email of your examination results. This may take several weeks. Please do not call the Human Resources Department for grade information until after you receive the grade notice.
  
  
• The names of all candidates who qualify with passing grades are placed on the eligible register for the job class for which the examination was given. These eligible registers are normally used for one year from the date they are established. If you failed the examination you may retake the test the next time it is open for recruitment. If you pass the examination you may take the test again,  the next time it is open for recruitment, but the last test grade achieved will be your official grade even if it is lower than your previous test score.
  
  
• When a department has a vacancy, the eligible register for that job classification is provided to the department for consideration. If you took the appropriate examination and passed the selection procedure your name will appear on the eligible register for consideration.

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