Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I apply for a job with Public Works?
• Where can I get an application and how can I submit it?
• What kind of employment opportunities do you have in the Public Works Department?
• When do you open recruitments?
• After I apply, how long will it be before I’m offered a job?
• What kind of benefits do you offer?
• Will I be required to join a union if I’m offered a job?

• How can I apply for a job with Public Works?

Applications are accepted only when a recruitment is open for a position (see Job Listings).  For detailed information on our application process, click here  "How to Get a Job" .

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• Where can I get an application and how can I submit it?

Apply online at www.santacruzcountyjobs.com . Paper application are at and can be submitted to the Personnel Department at 701 Ocean Street Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, 1430 Freedom Boulevard, Suite 101, Watsonville, CA 95076.  Or, you may call Personnel at (831) 454-2600 or for the hearing impaired T.D.D.# (831) 454-2123 to request applications and job announcements.

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• What kind of employment opportunities do you have in the Public Works Department?

There are a variety of professional, technical, maintenance, administrative and clerical positions in the Department of Public Works.  For a complete listing of all positions in the County, click here   "Job Specifications and Salary Schedule". To discuss employment opportunities with a personnel representative of Public Works, please contact:

Nancie Franotovich, Associate Personnel Analyst @ 831-454-2349

or:

Christine McAllister, Personnel Technician @ 831-454-2352

• When do you open recruitments?

Generally, recruitments are conducted as vacancies occur.   If you are interested in a specific job which is not currently open for recruitment, you can let us know through the County’s interest system.  Please click here  "Job Interest System".  Click here to see "Current Countywide Job Opportunities".

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• After I apply, how long will it be before I’m offered a job?

The recruitment, examination, and interview process at the County may take two to three months.  After you pass all of the examination components, you will be eligible to be interviewed for a period of six months to two years.  Santa Cruz County uses the "rule of ten" which means that the candidates with the top ten scores are referred for interviews.

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• What kind of benefits do you offer?

The benefits for specific jobs can be found on the job announcement.  Generally you can expect 12.5 paid holidays, generous annual/vacation/sick leave, excellent PERS retirement plan integrated with Social Security, County paid dental insurance plan, County paid life insurance plan, County paid long term disability plan, a credit union, and a deferred compensation plan.  The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans.  For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and dependents.  The County also offers paid vision insurance for employees.

• Will I be required to join a union if I’m offered a job?

Most employees are required to pay union dues or service fees. There are a variety of bargaining units which represent County employees. The majority of positions in Public Works are in the General Representation Unit, represented by the Service Employees International Union, Local 521. Except for certain supervisory classes and confidential positions, all new General Representation employees MUST authorize payroll deductions of Union dues or an equivalent service fee upon appointment. There is a bargaining unit for middle management employees. Executive management employees are not represented.

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Last Revised 9:16 AM 11/30/2010