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HR

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1. What if I am looking for a temporary or part-time job?

Persons interested in temporary or part-time employment with the City of Athens can inquire with the Human Resource director of the city, whose office is located on the first floor of the city building.
Human Resources
8 E. Washington St.
Athens, OH 45701

2. How do I apply for a city job?

All permanent city civil service jobs are filled from eligibility lists that are established by competitive examinations. The recruitment process is opened when a vacancy exists or is anticipated. Applications for examination are accepted only when there is a job opening. View current job openings.

3. How do I know when the city is accepting applications?

When a position is open it will be announced on the city’s employment website, the city’s Facebook page, in the Sunday edition of the "Athens Messenger", and the Monday edition of the "Athens News".

4. If I file an application, does this make me eligible for different examinations?

Applications become a part of the official record of each examination. You must submit a new application for each examination you wish to take. It is a good idea to make a copy of your application for your records. This will save time and effort if you wish to apply again.

5. Do I have to submit any other papers along with my application?

Many city jobs require a valid driver's license. You may need to submit a copy of this license. If the job announcement specifies education requirements, you must submit a copy of your high school diploma or GED certificate and possibly copies of your college transcripts and/or college degree. If special licenses are required, copies of these must also be submitted with your application. If claiming veteran's preference, you should submit a copy of Form DD-214. Occasionally, a supplemental application is also required and will be included with the other application materials.
When you are looking for a job it is always a good idea to have these documents available, since many employers require them.

6. How are the job specifications determined?

Job specifications are established by the Human Resource Director and the affected department based upon careful study of the requirements of the job. All city job specifications are approved by the City Service-Safety Director.

7. Are job requirements ever waived?

If an examination announcement does not produce enough qualified applicants, certain requirements may be waived. The revised requirements will be announced to the public. Job requirements may not be waived for individual applicants.

8. Who decides whether an applicant is accepted for an examination?

The Human Resource Director on behalf of the Civil Service Commission is the sole judge of the qualifications of applicants for admission to an examination. The Human Resource Director reviews all applications. Two or three weeks after the application deadline date, a notice is sent telling applicants whether their application has been accepted or rejected and why.

9. What is the best way to assure that my application will be accepted?

Applications should be filled out clearly and completely. Close attention should be paid to the job announcement. Describe related training and experience carefully. Your application is your means of communicating your qualifications.

10. What are some of the reasons for rejection of my application?

The most frequent reason for rejection is that the applicant lacks the required experience or education as designated on the job announcement. Sometimes a person has the experience but does not describe it clearly so that he or she can be given credit for it. Other reasons include: an incomplete application or giving false information, not accounting for gaps in a person's employment history, or not submitting the proper documentation.

11. If I have a police record, does that make me ineligible for employment with the City of Athens?

Not necessarily. The application requires that you report all convictions of any offense against the law. Police record checks are performed for all candidates. In determining whether an application should be rejected because of convictions, the Human Resource Director and Civil Service Commission will consider the nature of the offense, when it occurred, and similar factors. If you do not report a conviction and it is picked up on the police record check, your application may be rejected for falsification.

12. If my application is rejected, do I have any right of appeal?

If your application is rejected, you may appeal the action within the time specified on the written notice you receive. A letter of appeal should be addressed to the Civil Service Commission stating why you believe your application should be accepted. The commission will review your appeal. They may either approve your appeal or let the rejection stand. If they feel that more information is needed, they may grant a hearing.

13. If my application is rejected, does that mean that I can't apply for other civil service examinations?

Each application you submit for different examinations is considered separately. A previous rejection would not work against you unless it was for a serious or continuing cause.

14. What happens if my application is approved?

If your application is approved, you will receive a written notice, which will include specific information regarding the examination to be given. If you have a mental or physical impairment, which requires special accommodations for testing, it is your responsibility to notify the Human Resource Director on behalf of the Civil Service Commission in a reasonable amount of time before the test date. The Human Resource Director will then review such a request on its individual merit.

15. After I take the Civil Service Exam, am I eligible for federal, state, and county jobs?

The City's Civil Service exams are given for city jobs. Federal, state, and county governments are under separate personnel systems.

16. What types of exams are given?

All Civil Service Exams are related to the specific job. Most Civil Service Exams are written. There are three general types. If prior experience is required, a job content exam is often used. For example, if a job requires two years of experience in electrical work, questions about electricity would be on the exam. A few jobs require no experience because you receive training on the job. For this type of job, an aptitude test may be appropriate. An aptitude test measures your ability to learn a particular type of work. Another type of test used is the Training and Experience (T&E) Evaluation. This test provides a scored evaluation of your education and experience. Therefore, it is necessary that your application be filled out clearly and completely. Describe related training and experience carefully because that is how your score is determined.
For some specialized jobs, you would go before an oral examination board, made up of persons who are experts in that field. When appropriate, a performance test may be used. Police and Fire Department candidates also take a physical agility exam.

17. What happens after I take the examination?

After the final examination, the names of all who pass are placed on an eligibility list in the order of the score they received. Any vacancies in that type of job must be filled from that eligibility list. Ordinarily, an eligibility list remains active for one year, or until depleted (all names used), whichever occurs first. An eligibility list may be extended for one additional year if necessary and approved by the Athens Civil Service Commission.
For many of the city's jobs, tests are given on an as-needed basis. If your name is placed on an eligibility list, it is very important that you keep your address and phone number current with the Human Resource Director’s office. Failure to do so could result in you missing a job opportunity and your name may be removed from the eligibility list if you cannot be contacted.

18. So if I pass the exam, does that mean that I get a job?

If you pass a Civil Service Exam that does not necessarily mean that you will get a job. In general, there are many more people on the eligibility lists than there are job vacancies. Whether you are called for an interview depends upon several factors, primarily the number of vacancies and your position on the list. When there is a vacancy to fill, the Civil Service Commission will certify your name to the Human Resources Director in accordance with the city ordinances. You will then be contacted regarding an interview or the next step in the process.

19. If I am offered a city job, are there any other conditions that I must meet before I can begin work?

All candidates must pass a basic records check. Before appointment as a patrol officer or firefighter, a candidate must undergo an in-depth background investigation, a polygraph exam, psychological evaluation, and medical exam. Medical exams and drug screenings may be applicable to other City Civil Service positions as well.