Go ahead – if you think you want to be considered for employment with Public Health – Seattle & King County, complete an online application/resume.

Simply click on any job title from the Current Job Openings list to view the job announcement. The link to the online application appears on each individual job announcement. The application is designed to be completed while you are on line. It cannot be downloaded to your computer.

Application Procedures

Once you complete an online application/resume with us, you will be able to submit that material (or edit it for further submission) for jobs with Public Health – Seattle & King County or other employers that utilize the Governmentjobs.com job board.  It is a convenient place in which to store your information should you need application/resume information in a text format.

To apply for a Public Health position you must submit an online applicant profile for a particular position 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date listed in the job announcement.   Your application materials will be carefully reviewed. This review determines if your work experience and educational background meet the qualification guidelines. Only the most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in successive parts of the selection process.

Possession of these qualifications does not ensure that an applicant will be interviewed.  Applications will be reviewed in comparison with all other applications received. If you do not meet the qualification guidelines, you will be notified by email.

• When you click on the word APPLY on the job announcement you will be taken to governmentjobs.com. This is our vendor's secure site where you will be walked through creating an account and filling out and submitting your application for the position.
  
  
• If you have not submitted an application using the system yet, click on the link which appears below the log in box to CREATE your account. Remember the User Name and Password you create - it is your key to your application account.
  
  
• Always move forward through the application by using the SAVE AND PROCEED buttons at the bottom of each page.
  
  
• If you are composing lengthy information you should do the composing in your word processing program and then copy and paste the information into the fields on the application. This will ensure that you do not lose information you spent a lot of time composing if you get disconnected from your browser.
  
  
• Your application information is saved as you complete each page and use the "Save and Proceed" button. You can close down, then come back later and pick up where you last saved information.
  
  
• Once you complete your application the information will be stored and available for your use for future job openings.
  
  
• If you submit your application and you wish to apply for a second job before signing off you must return to the list of Job Openings. Click on another job title. The system will walk you through reviewing your application information and submitting your second application.
  
  
• The fields on the application which have an asterisk (*) are required fields and you must type in something in order to continue with the application.
  
  
• If there is an error or missing information the system will reload the page with the fields that need to be corrected identified near the top in red.

No, you may make up a number. We use the information to conduct a background check once you are in the final stages of the selection process and then to put you into our HR Information System. 

Should you choose to not provide your social security number at this time, we suggest you use "99" followed by your telephone number without the area code. A numeric response is required in this field.

The email address is part of the application; it is used to send out a confirmation receipt when you submit an application and notification of other steps in the hiring process. We suggest that if you do not have an email address that you set up a free account through any of the numerous online services or see if you have an email option through your Internet Service Provider.

If you do not have one at the time you are completing the application, you may make up an email address using this format: xxx@xxx.com.   If you do create an email account later, please contact PH.HR@metrokc.gov to update your records.

If you choose, you may ask to have notifications sent to you via postal mail.  The downside of this method is that it will be delivered to you within 2 – 4 days of being sent.  Email notification is real time and will be delivered once it is sent.

If you have computer skills but no access to a computer you may:

• Visit your local library to use the public access computers.
  
  
• Visit the closest Worksource location click here to find the closest Worksource location or call 1-877-872-JOBS (1-877-872-5627).    In King County there are three WorkSource Centers and five WorkSource Affiliates in Seattle-King County . Worksource provides computers with Internet access, phones, and fax machines for job search purposes. Also provided are workshops for job seekers that give tips on how to find employment, Employment Specialists who can assist job seekers and workshops on many topics including how to apply on line.
  
  
• Pay for the time to utilize the computers at at a local internet café or store that provides computer time rentals.

Ideally you should submit only one application for a job opening. However, if you submit more than one application for a job opening we will consider the last application received from you. The system will not let you submit a second application for the same job opening until 24 hours have passed.

You may submit your resume but only in addition to a completed application. The online application provides an opportunity to copy and paste your resume into the application.

You may browse through our Jobs at Public Health section and use the link on each job description to request notification when a job opens in which you have an interest.

If you don't see a current job opening for which you wish to apply, but want to build and store your application in anticipation of a future job opening, go to Governmentjobs.com and click on the CAREER SEEKER tab. Create your account and build and store your application. When you see a Public Health job opening for which you wish to apply and you click on the word APPLY on the job announcement this is the account from which your application information will be pulled.

When you are reading a Job Announcement you may notice a tab at the top entitled “Supplemental Questions”. These are questions that you will encounter as you complete the application for that position. They are designed to pull information from you about knowledge, skills and abilities that you have which are directly related to the job opening.

A pre-placement background check will be made on all candidates selected for employment. It will include a ten year criminal record check. Criminal convictions are not necessarily disqualifying; it will depend on the offense, time since the offense and the work you will be required to perform in your job. By submitting your application you are authorize the County to obtain your background information.

A new employee starts work within the pay range specified in the announcement; a pay rate above the entry rate requires approval of department management and, in some cases, County officials . With satisfactory performance, employees are considered for periodic step increases up to the maximum of the range.

Persons hired by the County are required to prove identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

We are implementing best practices that you find with other employers of our size. Implementation of our web-based recruitment system in 2006 allows us to accept on-line applications that can be routed electronically for manager review. Submission of an online application is now the preferred method. However, if you wish to apply for a position with a paper application please review the options above (see section “No Computer’) and consider letting us help you get your application online. If you still prefer to complete a paper application contact our office at 206-296-5077 and we will also let you know the deadline for application submission. Please note we do not accept postmarks therefore your application will have to be received before the cut off time.

To be considered for a job, your online application must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the closing date for the position. The closing dates are on the Job Openings list in the right column. You may also view the closing date on the job announcement by clicking on the PRINT JOB INFORMATION link.

A position with a closing date of "Open until Filled" means that applications are continuously evaluated as they are received. Once a pool of “best qualified” candidates is identified, the interview process will begin. Sometimes a date is given on the job announcement indicating when the first interview group will be created. If the job is not filled from this group, applications received after the initial date will be evaluated and considered. The Job Announcement will be closed and removed from our Internet list when the position is filled or an adequate candidate pool is available.

We prefer electronic applications; however, if you must submit a paper application, please note that our facility is not open after 5 p.m. Therefore, if you use a paper application it must be received before our offices close.

King County operates under a merit process. Candidates are selected for employment on the basis of their knowledge, skills and abilities; often these personal assets are assessed through one’s education and experience.

At each step in the selection process you must be prepared to demonstrate your qualifications. Completing your application is the first step. It is important to read the Job Announcement so you can identify the qualifications you need to tell us about on your application. The following is an overview of the information contained in the Job Announcement and how you may use it to complete your application:

• Job Summary
  
  This section gives you an overview of the job.  It describes the type and purpose of the work.  It is our goal to be as specific as possible in the Job Summary about the particular job(s) for which we are recruiting.
  
  
• Representative Duties
  
  This section describes the duties of the job. On your application form, include, in detail, any relevant experience, paid or volunteer, you have that is similar to the duties described in this section of the Job Announcement. The information you provide will be used to evaluate the extent and quality of your experience. 
  
  
• Qualifications
  
  All Job Announcements have minimum requirements which are generally expressed as knowledge, skills and abilities. These are the qualifications you must have to qualify for the job in addition to the implied essential abilities described below.
  
  Desirable qualifications are education, experience and/or skills directly related to the duties of a position within PHSKC. While these are not a minimum requirement, applicants who possess desirable qualifications are considered a closer match for the job and therefore stronger candidates.
  
  
• Additional Information
  
  Some jobs have special requirements including licenses, bilingual ability or cross-cultural competency. You must meet these requirements to be qualified for the job or be able to acquire them during your probationary period.
  
  Some jobs have unusual schedules, are subject to call-back for emergencies, or work in several locations. This section provides specific information on the job which might be critical to you.

King County Human Resources maintains Job Analysis descriptions as required by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.  The purpose of these job analyses is to establish the physical and environmental demands, skills, temperament, knowledge and experience required to perform a specific job.  These job requirements are then evaluated by Disability Specialists to determine if they fall within the abilities of a worker who has an illness, injury, or other medical condition that may impact their ability to work.

The following are abilities identified to be essential for all King County jobs and are therefore implied requirements for all Public Health jobs.

• Ability to demonstrate predictable, reliable, and timely attendance.
• Ability to follow written and verbal directions and to complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Ability to read, write and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Ability to learn from directions, observations, and mistakes, and apply procedures using good judgment.
• Ability to work independently or part of a team; ability to interact appropriately with others.
• Ability to work with supervision, receiving instructions/feedback, coaching/counseling and/or action/discipline.

If your online application has been successfully submitted you will also see the confirmation message on your screen. You will also receive an email confirmation immediately.

Depending upon the requirements of the job, examinations may include a written exam, an oral exam, and/or a performance exam.

• Application Screening Applications are reviewed to ensure that the minimum qualifications are met and sometimes rated based on job-related criteria to narrow the applicant pool.

• Supplemental Questions  Many recruitments require applicants to answer a series of questions particular to the job.  This is a type of written exam which evaluates qualifications of all applicants using the same criteria.  Applications may be screened in/out or ranked based on the response to the question.

• Written Test  Written tests are used to assess your knowledge in an area needed to successfully perform the job for which you are applying.  Generally these are computer based tests through eSkill.com

• Oral Exam  These are also known as rating or panel interviews.  The basic format for each oral interview is the same. An interview panel composed of two or more persons will evaluate how well your experience, education, and other qualifications have prepared you for the position you are applying for by asking series of job-related questions and take notes during the interview. These notes will assist the panel in rating your responses after the interview. At the end of the interview, you will have a brief opportunity to add anything you feel would describe your qualifications.
  
  
• Final Interview This interview is with the hiring manager and others people that will work with the selected applicant.  This interview is the final step and is used to assess workplace fit.
  
  
• Reference Check Those applicants that are the most qualified will be invited to participate in the reference check phase of the screening process. Public Health will contact the references you have supplied and/or prior supervisors to verify your qualifications and suitability for employment in Public Health.  The top qualified applicants will then be referred to the next phase of the selection process.

You may contact PH.HR@metrokc.gov and request and appointment to speak with an analyst for a feedback session. Many factors at any step of the process can play a part in why you were not considered further. Feedback will assist you with future applications whether for Public Health or elsewhere. Our staff is also available to provide direct assistance with the application process upon request.

After the hiring manager considers all the available information for the top candidates, s/he will choose a final candidate. That candidate will then be referred to Public Health Human Resources for a variety of pre-placement actions.

Pre-Placement Actions 

Once you have been selected and accepted the job offer, the next steps of the hiring process take place. Full-time employment is contingent upon passing one or more of the  following post-offer, pre-employment reviews:

• Work Authorization (I-9)
• Medical Examination
• Immunization Screening
• Drug Screening
• Criminal Background Check
• References (if not checked earlier).
• Driver’s License Check
• Salary Offer Review

The post-offer, pre-employment review is tailored to comport with federal, State and local law and to meet the needs of a particular position.

After you have met all pre-employment requirements, a hire date will be set and you will be given instructions on where to go and what to do in order to officially become an employee of the Public Health – Seattle & King County.