Frequently Asked Questions

Your application will be reviewed by Recruiter listed on the job bulletin. You will be notified by email of your status at each step.

After you have submitted your online application, you will receive an email confirmation. You can also check your own personal home page in Government Jobs for verification that you have successfully submitted your application. Click here for more detailed tips on how to apply.

You can only apply for current job openings and you can sign up for an account with the County of Orange. This feature provides you with the opportunity to check off job classifications that interest you, which will generate automatic e-mails when a new job opens. To sign up, click here. If you would like to learn more about County Job classifications and other general County career information visit our Classification Site.

You may have used the Back Button (located on your toolbar) which removes all data. To avoid losing your information, SAVE your information periodically. The system will save all your information so it can be automatically imported into your application every time you apply.

Free internet access is available for you to apply for County Jobs. Locations include Orange County Public Library branches or One-Stop Centers. Online capabilities are also currently available at the Virtual Employment Center located at 333 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana (open Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM -5:00PM).

You are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The information you provide may be rated/scored, so please be detailed in your response. Failure to do so may result in a lower rating or disqualification. Remember, this is a competitive recruitment and only the applicants whose application materials demonstrate a better fit with the posted minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be advanced in the competition.

Clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and your ability to follow instructions may also be considered in the evaluation process.

Note: Responses of "See Resume" or copy and paste of work experience are not a qualifying response and will not be evaluated or rated. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application and any supplemental questions. If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.

A copy of the complaint form can be accessed here: Recruitment Complaint Form

As part of the recruitment process, you may be invited to take a test intended to measure job-related skills and competencies. Tests or assessments include but are not limited to: multiple choice tests, structured interviews, and rating/scoring of application materials.

Many tests are online and vary based on the requirements for each recruitment. Please review the job bulletin to learn more about the required and desirable competencies and qualifications which may be measured through one or more assessments.

The County of Orange operates under rules and principles of a Merit System. Applicants are required to go through a competitive process and be placed on eligible lists for most positions. When there is a relatively small applicant pool, e.g., 10-15, the only test might be a structured interview. For recruitments that attract a large number of applicants, the County does not have the resources to conduct interviews of all qualified applicants thus additional job-related assessments are used to narrow the candidate pool.

Please refer to the job bulletin to see what skills may be required to successfully perform in the position. For further details, please contact the Recruiter listed on the bulletin.

To take practice online tests and learn helpful tips when taking assessments, please click here and/or here .

If you are invited to take an online, non-proctored test, it is recommended that you set aside at least one hour of quiet, uninterrupted time so you may devote your full attention to taking the assessment. The assessment must be completed on a computer or laptop with internet access. These online assessments are not compatible with any mobile devices.

To ensure your computer settings are compatible with the online test you are taking, you can contact technical support listed in the email notification you received.

If you have taken the same assessment within the last 6 months (180 days), you will receive a message indicating you do not need to re-test. We will use your prior test scores for the new recruitment. If it has been longer than 180 days since you have taken the assessment, your login will allow you to re-take the online test.

Orange County Public Library branches or One-Stop Centers offer free internet access and computers for use. You may also contact the Recruiter listed on the job bulletin to discuss other options.

The County of Orange considers all test scores (including from interviews, written tests, online assessments and application appraisal ratings) confidential. As provided in the County’s Recruitment Rules, specific scores are not disclosed to candidates or the hiring manager.

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check consisting of employment history, professional references, conviction history, criminal check and educational verification (i.e., degree, license, and/or official transcript). The extent of the background check varies by department/agency.

Candidates will be required to pass the background check to the satisfaction of the hiring Agency/Department. All applicants will also be required to answer a conviction questionnaire as part of the recruitment process. A clean driving record may be required while employed in this classification (see minimum qualifications and classification description for required license).

The County may require an evaluation for U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credentials Evaluation Services (NACES).

Read through the recruitment announcement for specifics on this subject. Individuals hired by the County of Orange may be required to provide an official copy of diploma, college transcripts or official evaluation of foreign degree for U.S. equivalency within two weeks of employment.