State agencies are required to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals seeking employment with the State of California. As a part of this requirement, it is important to recognize the value of providing various methods for filing examination and job vacancy applications to job seekers. While technology has provided new methods for filing applications, it is critical that state agencies continue to recognize and use traditional methods for accepting state applications for examinations and job vacancies to allow for a broader and diverse recruitment pool for hiring managers.
When advertising examination and job vacancies, state agencies should consider the job applicant’s perspective and resources. Accepting various versions of applications promotes good will and provides more employment opportunities to all.
State agencies are required to adhere to the following filing requirements when accepting applications for state civil service examinations and job vacancies:
Applicants may submit their application by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the examination or job vacancy announcement.
Applicants may submit their application to the delivery address identified on the examination or job vacancy announcement. The application must be date stamped by the final filing date and time (if applicable) as stated on the examination or job vacancy announcement. For example, state agencies may specify that all applications hand delivered must be received by 5:00 pm on the final filing date. This informs job applicants that applications received after 5:00 pm on the final filing date will not be accepted.
Applicants may submit their application electronically through CalCareers. The application must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the examination or job vacancy announcement.
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as Quick Response (QR) Codes provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) are not considered “postmarks” and as such are not acceptable proof of date of submission of an application.
Applications submitted after the designated final filing date must be accepted if one of the following conditions exists:
Exam announcements should be posted in a central location of each branch, district, institution, region, or office of the appointing power. This shall constitute notification of the promotional exam to agency employees.
Personnel offices are required to ensure that all examination and job vacancy announcements provide information regarding filing applications. Announcements must include location, final filing date, filing requirements, how to obtain an application (STD Form 678) and the documents that must be submitted in addition to the application, if applicable. Applications will be provided to applicants free of charge. Applicants are required to submit one application per examination or job vacancy unless otherwise stated on the announcement.
When accepting examination applications electronically, state agencies are required to provide the job applicant with an electronic communication contact address in lieu of a postal mailing address. The applicant should be informed that examination results, which include score, ranking, and employment contact letters, will be accessible through electronic means. The applicant has the right to opt out of electronic communication and to instead be contacted by regular mail sent through the US Postal Service.
All documents submitted to the Personnel Office become the property of the State Agency and shall not be returned to the applicant. The names of the examination or job vacancy applicants are confidential and should not to be made public.
Chris Dainard
Chief, Selection Division
California Department of Human Resources
Selection Division
CalHR
Phone: 916-909-3757
Email: SDPolicy@calhr.ca.gov
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