APPLICATION PROCESS FAQs

Q. When will applications be accepted for a particular position open for filing?
A. Every civil service position has an eligible list from which qualified candidates are employed. If there are no applicants remaining on the eligible list, the Examining Division announces an examination for the position, and applications are then accepted during a designated period.

Q. How will I know when I can apply for a particular position?
A. You may fill out a Notification Card to be notified by mail. Otherwise, you may call our job line 24 hours a day (213-847-9424), pick up a summary of Jobs Available from our offices, or routinely check our website for information.

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Location of Jobs

Q. Are all jobs located in the Los Angeles Civic Center?
A. No. City jobs may be located throughout the metropolitan area. Most jobs (2/3) are downtown in the Civic Center; however we also have locations at the Los Angeles Harbor, Los Angeles World Airport, El Segundo, San Fernando Valley, Ontario, and Owens Valley, among others.

Q. Must I be a resident of Los Angeles to work for the City?
A. No, there is no residency requirement.

Q. Are the working hours always 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.?
A. No. Some departments offer swing, graveyard and/or rotating shifts for some classifications. Also, many departments have flexible work schedules such as the 9/80 or 4/10 schedules.

Q. Does the City offer any part-time positions?
A. Yes. There are departments that use some classifications on a part-time basis. If you are interested in a part-time position, you can indicate your preference when you receive your final general average and notice of availability.

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Language

Q. I speak a second language. Can I be paid for it?
A. Sometimes. Some departments have “bilingual positions”, in which they have demonstrated a need for an employee to communicate in a language other than English. People in these positions receive “bilingual pay” for speaking and/or writing the second language. You would be tested to prove your proficiency in that language.

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MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE AN EXAMINATION

Experience

Q. Why can't I just take the test to prove that I am qualified?
A. All City examinations are job-related and test the critical knowledge, skills and abilities of the class being tested. To this effort, all applicants must meet the minimum requirements.

Q. After I become a City employee, may I use outside employment to qualify for promotional exams?
A. Yes, unless the requirements specifically state the experience must be with the City of Los Angeles.

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Q. Why can't I file for a promotional position if I qualify?
A. You must be a City employee with civil service status to file for an examination administered on a promotional basis.

Q. Can I use my in lieu experience to apply for a promotional exam? For example, I am a Management Assistant in lieu of a Management Analyst, and I want to apply for Senior Management Analyst.
A. No. You may only use your current status class (the class for which you have taken a test and from which you have been appointed from a list) to apply for Promotional Positions.

Q. I am an exempt employee with the Mayor's office or a City Council Office. Can I apply for a promotional exam?
A. You may apply for a promotional exam only if you have a civil service status. If you were appointed from an eligible list to a City job before you went on to the exempt job you hold now, you would still be considered to have civil service status and be eligible to apply for a promotional examination.

Background
Q. What if I have a police record, can I still apply for jobs with the City of Los Angeles?
A. Yes. However, your police record will be considered with respect to the duties and responsibilities of the position you applied for, your age at the time of the conviction, the severity of the crime, and your employment history in the interim. You may or may not be disqualified.

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Q. I received a letter saying I do not qualify. What can I do?
A. Some applicants are notified that their applications were not accepted. This usually occurs because the minimum requirements were not met or the application was not filed within the specified filing period.

Language

Q. Do I have to speak English to apply?
A. No, you do not have to speak English to apply. However, at this time, examinations are given in English.

Denied Application

If you are notified that you do not meet the minimum requirements and do not agree with the reason, you may provide additional information that was not included in your original application, or provide a description of your background that will assist us in reviewing your application. You must do this within the time limits indicated in the letter.

If your reason for applying late was due to circumstances completely beyond your control, you may request that your application be accepted. You must provide any documents or proof that substantiates your reason with your request.

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COMPLETING AN APPLICATION

Q. Can I apply on line?
A. Yes, you can apply online for some job titles. For others, you can download the application and submit it in person or by mail.

Q. Can I apply for different City jobs with one application?
A. No. The City's application process calls for an original employment application to be provided for each job.

Q. Can I submit a photocopied employment application?
A. We must received an application with an original signature. The application may be a copy, but the signature must be an original.

Q. Can I fax my application?
A. No. We do not accept faxed applications.

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Q. Can I submit my resume instead of the employment application?
A. No. All civil service positions require that you submit a City application. Occasionally resumes will be accepted for exempt positions. Often a resume or supplemental information form is required in addition to the City application.

Q. How do I apply for an exempt job?
A. Most exempt opportunities can be applied for directly with the hiring department. Contact the department's personnel office or with a supervisor at the location where you wish to work.

Q. I think I am going to be on vacation during the period you will be accepting applications. What do I do?
A. Submitting an application by the deadline is your responsibility. If you so choose, you may leave your application with a responsible person and have him/her submit it (or mail it) on your behalf.

Q. Can I get a copy of my application to use for my interview?
A. No. Once a job application is filed, the Personnel Department cannot provide a copy of your application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to make their own personal copy prior to filing it with the City's employment office. If downloading an application from our website, simply print two copies, and retain one for your records.

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Q. How many applications can I turn in?
A. There is no limit to the number of jobs you may apply for, but only one application is needed for each. It is not necessary to submit both an on-line application and a paper application.

Contact Us

If you need assistance or have more questions, contact us at (213) 847-9240, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Or click here to the Recruitment Division